Writing an Annotated Bibliography

Created by Sherri Whitham, Library Media Teacher and

University High School, Los Angeles (04/13/07)

PDF Version

What is an annotated bibliography?

This is an organized list of sources (works cited) such as books, journals, newspapers, magazines, web pages, etc., each of which is followed by an annotation or description of the item. The description should describe the content of the item any how it was useful for your report.

Why write an annotated bibliography?

To demonstrate the quality of the research you have done, and to show what you have learned from these resources.

What does the annotated bibliography look like?

You write and arrange the bibliographic entries (citations) just as you would any other bibliography. For more information about formatting your bibliography, see the “Bibliography Guidelines Handout.” The descriptions should be brief and include only the significant information.

Arranging Entries:

(1) All margins should be 1 inch, and standard 12-point fonts should be used.

(2)The first line begins at the margin. The next lines should be indented ½ inch. Double space each citation.

(3) Arrange citations in alphabetical order by author’s last name, or when no author is given, alphabetize by the first main word in the title

SAMPLE ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHIES

PRIMARY SOURCES

1. "Cannonball Adderly." Contemporary Musicians, Volume 15. Gale Research, 1995.
Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Thomson Gale. 2007.

University High School, Los Angeles.  9 Sept 2007 <http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/BioRC>.

I found the photograph of Cannonball Adderly playing the trumpet in Chicago, Illinois in 1958. 

2. “Historical Jazz Locations.”  Atlas of African – American History. New Orleans:  Bantam Press, 2001.

This map shows locations for famous jazz halls in Chicago

3. Marseilles, Winton. Personal Interview. 6 October 2007.

He told me about his experiences playing with Charlie Parker.

4. Monroe, Alice. “Duke Ellington: “The Cotton Club Years.” American History Journal  26 (1940): 77-85.

This magazine article was an interview with Duke Ellington in which he discusses his memories of playing at the Cotton Club.

 5. Original Score from Porgy and Bess. CD-ROM. Pasadena: MCI Records, 1980.

It showed the last- minute changes the publisher made to the original score of the musical

WORKS CITED FORMAT 

PRINT RESOURCES

Books                        

Author or Editor (Last Name, First Name). Title. Place of Publication: Publishing Company, Date.

Example:

Smith, John. History of Baseball.  New York: Greenwood Publishing, Inc., 2004.

Encyclopedias and Reference Books

Author (if given) (Last Name, First Name). “Title of Article.” Title of Encyclopedia. Place of Publication:  Publishing Company, Date, Volume, pages.

Example:        

Gorenstein, Paul. “Moon.” The World Book Encyclopedia. Chicago: World Book, Inc., 2006. Vol. 13, 782-785.

Magazines

Author (if given) (Last Name, First Name). “Title of Article.” Title of     Magazine. Date (day month year), pages.

Example:        

Frank, Michael. “The Wild, Wild West.” Architectural Digest. June 2001: 180-185.

Newspapers

Author (if given) (Last Name, First Name). “Title of Article.” Title of Newspaper. Date, section, page.

Example:        

Tyler, Marshall. “200^th Birthday of Grimms Fairy Tales Celebrated.” Los Angeles Times. 15 Mar. 1985, sec. A: 3.

ELECTRONIC PUBLICATIONS

Internet Sites

Title of Site. Name of Editor (if given). Version number (if given).
Date of  Electronic  Publication/Latest Update. Name of Sponsoring  Institution or Organization. Date found. <URL of Internet Site>.

Example:        

The World Factbook.  15 Mar. 2007. CIA. 26 March 2007. <https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html>.

 Resources from a Library Online Database

Online Subscription Encyclopedia Source

Author  (if given) (Last Name, First Name). “Title of Article.” Name of Database or Project. Date of Electronic Publication. Database Publisher. Name of Library Used, City of Library. Date found <URL of Database>.

Example:       

“Memorial Day.” Encyclopedia Britannica.  2007. Encyclopedia Britannica Online Edition. 2007. University High Library, Los Angeles. 15 June 2007 <http://www.eb.com/>.

Online Subscription Journal or Magazine

Author (Last Name, First Name).  “Title of Article.” Title of Magazine. Volume Number/Issue Number (if given). Date of Magazine: Page Numbers of Article (if given). Database Name. Database Publisher. Library Used, City of Library. Date found
<URL of Database>. 

Example:       

Pendleton, Devon. “Gulf Goliath.” Forbes Vol. 179. 26 Mar. 2007: 172-176. Ebscohost Mas Ultra School Edition. Ebsco. University High Library, Los Angeles. 28 Apr. 2007
<http://qaweb6.epnet.com/ehos>.

Internet resource for additional information on Works Cited/Bibliography formats 

Duke University Libraries Page for Citing Sources: http://library.duke.edu/research/citing/

A Guide for Writing Research Papers Based on MLA Documentation:

http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/mla/index.shtml

Citing Records from Archives (From National Archives of the United States)

http://www.archives.gov/publications/general-info-leaflets/17.html

CITING ARCHIVES
EXAMPLE
 

All Rights Reserved Copyright 2008. History Day L.A. Webmaster Amanda Roraback