Style a source in an annotated bibliography just as you would one in a list of works cited, and then append an annotation to the end of the entry, indented an inch from the start of the entry. See template below.
Basic Writing and Format Tips:
Start with the same format as a regular References list.
After each citation, the annotation is indented two spaces from the left margin as a block.
Each annotation should be one paragraph, between three to six sentences long (about 150-200 words).
All lines should be double-spaced. Do not add an extra line between the citations.
If your list of citations is especially long, you can organize it by topic.
Try to be objective, and give explanations if you state any opinions.
Use the third person (e.g., he, she, the author) instead of the first person (e.g., I, my, me).
Annotations
An annotation is a summary and/or evaluation. Therefore, an annotated bibliography includes a summary and/or critical evaluation of each of the sources. The annotated bibliography looks like a References page but includes an annotation after each full citation.
Annotated bibliographies can be part of a larger research project, or can be a stand-alone report in itself.
Depending on your project or the assignment, your annotations may do one or more of the following:
Summarize
Some annotations merely summarize the source. What are the main arguments? What topics are covered? The length of your annotations will determine how detailed your summary is. Who wrote the document? When and where was the document written?
Assess
After summarizing a source, it may be helpful to evaluate it. Is it a useful source? How does it compare with other soruces in your biliography? What is the goal of this source?
Reflect
Once you've summarized and assessed a source, ask yourself how it fits into your research. How does it help shape your argument? How can you use this source in your research project?
Your annotated bibliography may include some of these, all of these, or even others. If you're doing this for a class, you should get specific guidelines from your instructor.
Plagiarism is a violation of Felician University's Honor Code.
Plagiarism, i.e., the representation of another’s work as one’s own.
How to Avoid Plagiarism
When Documentation is Not Needed
Paraphrasing allows you to maintain your voice while demonstrating that you understand your source because you can restate it in your own words.
A paraphrase should convey the important information in a passage in your own words and sentence structure. To properly give credit to your souce in MLA Style, you need to include an in - text citation directing your reader to a works-cited-list entry and, if you are citing a paginated bok, the location in the work where the idea is set forth.
Quoting can be effective when someone else's words are the focus of analysis or perfectly express an idea. Quote only words, phrases, lines, and passages that are particularly apt, and keep all qutations as brief as possible. Always explain the relevance of the quote.
Quoting should NOT be used as a substitute for paraphrasing ideas you do not fully understand. Quoting and paraphrasing can be combined in one sentence.
You must include quotation marks around the borrowed words and give credit ot the source. Include the in-text citation and the page number where the quoted material appears in the source.
Example
At the intersection of language and culture lies a concept that Michael Agar calls "languaculture" (60).
Works Cited
Agar, Michael. Language Shock: Understanding the Culture of Conversation. HarperCollins Publishers, 2016.
Inclusive language aims to be respectful to others by treating language describing indiviidual and group identity with sensitivity and by avoiding bias that could make some people feel excluded.
The following principles are intended to help writers choose inclusie language with regard to race and ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ability, age, and economic or social status.These guidelines are generalized, see chapter 3 of the MLA Handbook for further information.
Have an MLA Stye Question about something that is not covered on this guide?
Consult a librarian or the MLA Manual (can be found at the Library).
Librarians are available via Live Chat during library hours, via email, or by appointment.
Abbreviations should generally be used in the works-cited list and parenthetical citations. Spell out the words if confusion may result. Unless indicated, the plurals are formed through the addition of s.
app. - appendix
bk. - book
ch. - chapter
col. - column
def. - definition
dept. - department
ed. - edition (but spell out editor, edited by)
e.g. - for example (from Latin exempli gratia; set off by commas, unless preceded by a different punctuation mark)
et al. - and others (from Latin et alii, et aliae, et alia)
etc. - and so forth (from Latin et cetera; like most abbreviates, not appropriate in text)
fig. - figure
i.e. - that is (from Latin id est; set off by commas, uless preceded by a different punctuation mark)
MS, MSS - manuscript, manuscripts
n, nn - note, notes
no. - number
p., pp. - page, pages
par. - paragraph
qtd. - quoted
r. - recto
rev. - revised
sec. - section
st. - stanza
supp. - supplement
trans. - translation (but spell out translator, translated by)
U - University
un - unnumbered note
UP - University Press
vers. - version
v. - verso, versus
vol. - volume