How to Prepare an MLA Annotated Bibliography

WHAT IS AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY? An annotated bibliography is a list of citations for books, articles, and documents. An annotated bibliography is a list of citations for books, articles, and documents. Each citation is followed by a brief (usually about 150 words) descriptive and evaluative paragraph, the annotation. Each citation is followed by a brief (usually about 150 words) descriptive and evaluative paragraph, the annotation.

ANNOTATIONS Annotations are descriptive and critical; they expose the author's point of view, clarity and appropriateness of expression, and authority. Annotations are descriptive and critical; they expose the author's point of view, clarity and appropriateness of expression, and authority.

THE PROCESS Creating an annotated bibliography calls for the application of a variety of intellectual skills: concise exposition, succinct analysis, and informed library research. Creating an annotated bibliography calls for the application of a variety of intellectual skills: concise exposition, succinct analysis, and informed library research. First, locate and record citations to books, periodicals, and documents that may contain useful information and ideas on your topic. First, locate and record citations to books, periodicals, and documents that may contain useful information and ideas on your topic. Briefly examine and review the actual items. Then choose those works that provide a variety of perspectives on your topic. Briefly examine and review the actual items. Then choose those works that provide a variety of perspectives on your topic.

The Process Continued Cite the book, article, or document using MLA format. Write a concise annotation that summarizes the central theme and scope of the book or article. Include one or more sentences that (a) evaluate the authority or background of the author, (a) evaluate the authority or background of the author, (b) comment on the intended audience, (b) comment on the intended audience, (c) explain how this work illuminates your topic. (c) explain how this work illuminates your topic.

What an annotation should include: Complete bibliographic information. Complete bibliographic information. Some or all of the following: Some or all of the following: Information to explain the authority and/or qualifications of the author. For example: Dr. William Smith, a history professor at XYZ University, based his book on twenty years of research. Information to explain the authority and/or qualifications of the author. For example: Dr. William Smith, a history professor at XYZ University, based his book on twenty years of research. Scope and main purpose of the work. Scope and main purpose of the work. Any biases that you detect. Any biases that you detect. Intended audience and level of reading difficulty. Intended audience and level of reading difficulty. The relationship, if any, to other works in the area of study. The relationship, if any, to other works in the area of study. A summary comment, e.g., "A popular account directed at educated adults." A summary comment, e.g., "A popular account directed at educated adults." The annotation should be about 100 to 200 words. The annotation should be about 100 to 200 words.

Book Example Battle, Ken. “Child Poverty: The Evolution and Impact of Child Benefits.” A Question of Commitment: Children's Rights in Canada. Ed. Katherine Covell and R.Brian Howe. Waterloo, ON: Wilfrid Laurier University Press Ken Battle draws on a close study of government documents, as well as his own research as an extensively-published policy analyst, to explain Canadian child benefit programs. He outlines some fundamental assumptions supporting the belief that all society members should contribute to the upbringing of children. His comparison of child poverty rates in a number of countries is a useful wake-up to anyone assuming Canadian society is doing a good job of protecting children. Battle pays particular attention to the National Child Benefit (NCB), arguing that it did not deserve to be criticized by politicians and journalists. He outlines the NCB’s development, costs, and benefits, and laments that the Conservative government scaled it back in favour of the inferior Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB). However, he relies too heavily on his own work; he is the sole or primary author of almost half the sources in his bibliography. He could make this work stronger by drawing from others' perspectives and analyses. However, Battle does offer a valuable source for this essay, because the chapter provides a concise overview of government-funded assistance currently available to parents. This offers context for analyzing the scope and financial reality of child poverty in Canada.