This lesson introduces the purpose of an annotated bibliography and shows how Lily Tran organizes and formats entries in her sample. Understanding these conventions helps you create a bibliography that does more than list sources: it explains what each source contributes to a research project.
An annotated bibliography is a list of sources accompanied by explanatory notes, called annotations. In Tran’s sample, the annotations help readers understand both the source itself and its possible function in a research paper about healthy diets and sustainable food systems.
All flashcards
What is an annotated bibliography?
A list of sources with explanatory annotations that help readers understand each source and its relationship to a research project.
What are three common functions of an annotation?
It can summarize a source, assess its credibility or quality, and evaluate its usefulness for the project.
What is the job of the citation in an annotated bibliography entry?
The citation identifies the source and gives readers the information needed to locate it.
What does “et al.” mean?
It means “and others” and is used in a citation to indicate additional authors beyond the named author or authors.
What kinds of information can make a source summary useful?
Details about the source’s subject, evidence, methods, scope, organization, and key supporting materials, selected according to their relevance.
Quiz questions
What is the main purpose of an annotation in an annotated bibliography?Answer: To summarize, assess, and/or evaluate a source in relation to the project for which it is used.
What does a bibliographic citation primarily help readers do?Answer: Identify and locate the source.
What does “et al.” mean in the Berners-Lee citation?Answer: “And others,” indicating that additional authors are associated with the work.
Which description best distinguishes a summary from an evaluation?Answer: A summary describes what a source contains; an evaluation explains its usefulness or relevance to the project.
How does Tran establish the authority of the EAT–Lancet report?Answer: She notes the international range of commission members and Walter Willett’s academic and medical affiliations.
Based on Writing Guide with Handbook by Michelle Bachelor Robinson, Maria Jerskey, featuring Toby Fulwiler (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.