How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography or Literature Review

The Annotation samples below have been imported from The OWL at Purdue.

It is always best to check with your instructor to know which format to use. It is also a good rule of thumb to double-check the citation style as updates happen and may not be imported in a timely manner on this research guide.

If you have any questions, please ask us!

Last updated: February 2020

The annotation below both summarizes and assesses the book in the citation. The first paragraph provides a brief summary of the author's project in the book, covering the main points of the work. The second paragraph points out the project's strengths and evaluates its methods and presentation. This particular annotation does not reflect on the source's potential importance or usefulness for this person's own research.

In the sample annotation above, the writer includes three paragraphs: a summary, an evaluation of the text, and a reflection on its applicability to his/her own research, respectively.

This annotation includes only one paragraph, a summary of the book. It provides a concise description of the project and the book's project and its major features.