Writing an Annotated Bibliography
"An annotated bibliography is a type of student paper in which reference list entries are followed by short descriptions of the work called annotations." Generally, your instructor will set their expectations and requirements for an annotated bibliography, including the number of references, length of annotations and focus of the project. Annotations can be summaries, assessments or reflections, depending on the focus of the paper (p. 307).
This guide explains the stylistic requirements presented in the seventh edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. This format, which assumes a stand-alone annotated bibliography, should be utilized in the absence of guidance from your instructor.
Title Page
Title page should include a page number that is flush with the right margin.
The title should be formatted as “[Topic]: Annotated Bibliography” (p. 308).
The paper’s title should be written in title case.
The title should be bold, centered and typed in the upper half of the page, 3-4 lines down from the top margin (p. 32).
The author’s name should appear below the title.
The author’s affiliation, typically the department they are submitting to and the university they are attending, should appear below the author’s name.
The course number and name should appear below the author’s affiliation.
The instructor’s name should appear below the course number and name.
The due date, written “Month Day, Year” should appear below the instructor’s name.
Click here and scroll to the heading, “Student Title Page,” for more information.
Annotated Bibliography Format
The annotated bibliography should begin on page two. The page number should be flush with the right margin in the header (p. 308).
The title should be centered and written in bold title case.
Reference Format
Begin each entry with a reference. Format and order your references "in alphabetical order, the same as you would order entries in a reference list" (p. 307). Use a hanging indent.
Do not number your reference entries.
Annotation Format
The annotation for each reference should begin as a new paragraph below the reference entry.
The entire annotation should be indented by 0.5 in. from the left margin, the same way you would a block quote. Do not further indent the first line of the annotation. "If the annotation spans multiple paragraphs, indent the first line of the second and any subsequent paragraphs an additional 0.5 in," one tab key (p. 307).
You do not need to cite the work being annotated. Only provide in-text citations if you are referring to multiple works within a single annotation.
New Hours
Email askalibrarian during these new hours:
Mondays – Thursdays
8am to 5pm (ET)
Fridays
8am to 4pm (ET)
See our expanded Chat/Text service hours.
Email askalibrarian@sjcme.edu
Text (207) 245-1331
Text and chat hours:
New Hours
Chat/Text
Chat with a librarian during the new, expanded hours:
Mondays – Fridays
5pm – Midnight (ET)
Saturdays and Sundays
Chat is available 24 hours each day.
Chat here.