An annotated bibliography is an alphabetical list of sources—formatted like a bibliography or reference list—that includes a commentary on each source.  Writing an annotated bibliography can be helpful preparation for an essay. Collecting sources for a reference list is useful, but when you have to evaluate each source and write annotations, you are forced to engage with the source more carefully. In other words, you will begin to read more critically instead of just collecting information.

Imagine that you are preparing to write research paper and you have no idea where to start your research.  You scour the internet and find a webpage with a list of resources that you can use for your paper.  And even better, it contains a summary of the source and if it is useful or not.  This list of sources and summaries (known as annotations) is what writers call an annotated bibliography.

The purpose of this paper style is to:

• learn about a particular topic through critically reviewing the literature
• provide an overview of the main issues, arguments and research within a particular area
• identify potential variations in interpretations and theoretical perspectives on that topic and/or critiques of dominant perspectives
• identify connections between the information sources
• encourage deeper engagement with individual sources in order to develop your analytical and critical reading skills

An annotated bibliography is sometimes given as a lead up to an essay, to encourage you to survey and reflect on what has already been discovered about your topic. It might also be given as a stand-alone assignment to develop your research and critical thinking skills.