From the OWL: Annotated Bibliographies
Examples and Samples
According to the MLA Handbook (section 5.132), an annotated bibliography is a list of sources (in the same style as a list of works cited) with annotations that "describe or evaluate sources or do both." Some recommended steps for creating an annotated bibliography appear below.
Step 1. Conduct library research
Step 2. Briefly examine and review the actual items
Step 3. Choose works that provide a variety of perspectives on your topic
Step 4. Write a concise annotation that summarizes the central theme and scope of the book or article or chapter.
In accordance with your professor's instructions, your annotation should address:
Step 5. Cite the book, article, or chapter using MLA style.
This example uses MLA style (MLA Handbook, 9th edition, 2021) for the journal citation:
Waite, Linda J., et al. "Nonfamily Living and the Erosion of Traditional Family Orientations Among Young Adults." American Sociological Review, vol. 51, no. 4, 1986, pp. 541-554.
The authors, researchers at the Rand Corporation and Brown University, use data from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Young Women and Young Men to test their hypothesis that nonfamily living by young adults alters their attitudes, values, plans, and expectations, moving them away from their belief in traditional sex roles. They find their hypothesis strongly supported in young females, while the effects were fewer in studies of young males. Increasing the time away from parents before marrying increased individualism, self-sufficiency, and changes in attitudes about families. In contrast, an earlier study by Williams cited below shows no significant gender differences in sex role attitudes as a result of nonfamily living.
Steps in process adapted from: "How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography: The Annotated Bibliography." Site located at Olin Library Reference, Research & Learning Services,Cornell University Library, Ithaca, NY, USA