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Research Guides

EN105 First-Year Writing - All Sections

Annotated Bibliography Format

For this assignment, remember you annotation must include:

  • A full bibliographic citation in MLA style
  • Scope and main purpose of the work
  • Information to explain the authority and/or qualifications of the author(s)
  • Special features of the work that were unique or helpful (if relevant)
  • Conclusions or observations reached by the author
  • Usefulness or relevance to your research topic and specifically how you might use it to respond to one or more of your chosen author’s arguments
  • One key quote (1-2 sentences maximum) that emphasizes a particularly relevant point.

Refer back to your assignment sheet for more details. Below are some more general resources on annotated bibliographies.

Sample Annotation

(1) Hamerton, Philip Gilbert. Thoughts About Art. Boston: Roberts Brothers, 1871.

(2.) Hamerton, the noted art critic and art book author, wrote this book as originally part of the "The Painter's Camp" and is worthy reading because of its suggestiveness. (3) Thus, some of the various ways in which different painters undertake their work are made clear in the chapters "Painting from Nature" and "Painting from Memoranda." (4) The general relation of art, and especially painting, to the general world of thought and perception is more plainly seen after a careful study of this book, especially in the chapters "Transcendentalism in Painting" and "Analysis and Synthesis." (5) The article is useful to my research topic, as an historical perspective on art by a famed art critic. (6) However, the main limitation of the book is that there are no illustrations to the art works described. This was generally to be understood by the readers of his time. (7)  Of interest is that general disregard and the common contempt for art among English-speaking people is well explained and its consequence pointed out. (8) This book will not form the basis of my research; however it will be useful supplementary information.

Key

(1) Citation
(2) Introduction 
(3) Aims & Research methods
(4) Scope
(5) Usefulness (to your research/ to a particular topic)
(6) Limitations
(7) Conclusions
(8) Reflection (explain how this work illuminates your topic or how it will fit in with your research)