Developing an Annotation
Before you begin writing your annotation it can be helpful to respond to each of the five components:
Formatting an Annotated Bibliography
If you are required to submit an annotated bibliography, make sure you follow the guidelines of the relevant style guide:
- Arrange annotations in alphabetical order.
- Citation in hanging indent, stand-alone sentence and used as the title for the annotation.
- No additional space between citation and body paragraph.
- Write annotation in one present-tense paragraph.
- Text is left-justified and lines double-spaced.
- Use full sentences and transition words like furthermore, however and therefore.
- 150-200 words in length for each annotation.
- Be concise, do not repeat information or cross-reference (i.e. no in-text references).
Sample Annotation (University of New England, 2020)
Source: Avondale Library
