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Creating a Chicago Style Bibliography | Format & Examples
Published on September 23, 2019 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on December 5, 2022.
A Chicago style bibliography lists the sources cited in your text. Each bibliography entry begins with the author’s name and the title of the source, followed by relevant publication details. The bibliography is alphabetized by authors’ last names.
A bibliography is not mandatory, but is strongly recommended for all but very short papers. It gives your reader an overview of all your sources in one place. Check with your instructor if you’re not sure whether you need a bibliography.

Always make sure to pay attention to punctuation (e.g., commas , quotation marks , parentheses ) in your citations.
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Chicago style bibliography examples, formatting the bibliography page, author names in the bibliography, bibliography vs reference list, frequently asked questions about the chicago bibliography.
Bibliography entries vary in format depending on the type of source . Templates and examples for the most common source types are shown below.
- Book chapter
- Journal article
- The edition is always abbreviated (e.g. 2nd ed. or rev. ed.).
- Only include the URL for books you consulted online.
- Use this format to cite a chapter in a multi-authored book. If all the chapters in a book were written by the same person, reference the whole book.
- Begin the citation with the author of the chapter. The editor who compiled the book is listed later.
- The page range identifies the location of the article within the journal issue.
- For articles accessed online, include a DOI (digital object identifier) where available, and a URL if not.
- If the author is unknown, list the organization or website name as author, and don’t repeat it later in the citation.
- If no publication date is listed, include an access date instead.
- The website name is not italicized, unless it is an online version of a newspaper or magazine .
The bibliography appears at the end of your text. The heading Bibliography is bolded and centred at the top of the page.
Unlike the rest of a Chicago format paper, the bibliography is not double-spaced. However, add a single line space between entries.
If a bibliography entry extends onto more than one line, subsequent lines should be indented ( hanging indent ), as seen in the example below. This helps the reader to see at a glance where each new entry begins.

There are further guidelines for formatting a Chicago style annotated bibliography , in which you write a paragraph of summary and source evaluation under each source.
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Author names in the bibliography are inverted: The last name comes first, then the first name(s). Sources are alphabetized by author last name.
If a source has no named author, alphabetize by the first word of the title or organization name that starts the entry. Ignore articles (“the,” “a,” and “an”) for the purposes of alphabetization.
Sources with multiple authors
For sources with more than one author, only the first author’s name is inverted; subsequent names are written in the normal order.
For texts with up to 10 authors, all the authors’ names should be listed in the order they appear in the source, separated by commas .
If there are more than 10 authors, list the first seven, followed by “ et al. ”
Multiple sources by the same author
If you include multiple works from the same author, only include the author name in the first entry. In subsequent entries, replace the name with three em dashes , followed by the rest of the citation formatted as normal. List the entries in alphabetical order by title.
A reference list is mandatory in Chicago author-date style , where you cite sources in parentheses in the text. The only differences between a Chicago bibliography and a reference list are the heading and the placement of the date.
The reference list is headed “References.” In reference list entries, the publication date is placed immediately after the author’s name. This allows the reader to easily find a reference on the basis of the corresponding in-text citation.

In a Chicago style footnote , list up to three authors. If there are more than three, name only the first author, followed by “ et al. “
In the bibliography , list up to 10 authors. If there are more than 10, list the first seven followed by “et al.”
The same rules apply in Chicago author-date style .
To automatically generate accurate Chicago references, you can use Scribbr’s free Chicago reference generator .
In a Chicago footnote citation , when the author of a source is unknown (as is often the case with websites ), start the citation with the title in a full note. In short notes and bibliography entries, list the organization that published it as the author.
In Chicago author-date style , treat the organization as author in your in-text citations and reference list.
When an online source does not list a publication date, replace it with an access date in your Chicago footnotes and your bibliography :
If you are using author-date in-text citations , or if the source was not accessed online, replace the date with “n.d.”
- A reference list is used with Chicago author-date citations .
- A bibliography is used with Chicago footnote citations .
Both present the exact same information; the only difference is the placement of the year in source citations:
- In a reference list entry, the publication year appears directly after the author’s name.
- In a bibliography entry, the year appears near the end of the entry (the exact placement depends on the source type).
There are also other types of bibliography that work as stand-alone texts, such as a Chicago annotated bibliography .
In Chicago author-date style , your text must include a reference list . It appears at the end of your paper and gives full details of every source you cited.
In notes and bibliography style, you use Chicago style footnotes to cite sources; a bibliography is optional but recommended. If you don’t include one, be sure to use a full note for the first citation of each source.
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Annotated bibliographies in Chicago style
Published February 16, 2021. Updated August 15, 2021.
You may have heard of a bibliography, but what about an annotated bibliography? In short, an annotated bibliography provides a source citation and a description of the source. This guide will tell you more about what an annotated bibliography is, how it differs from other types of bibliographies, how to write an annotated bibliography, and how to format one in Chicago style. It follows the guidelines provided by the 17th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) but is not connected to this guide.
Here’s what you’ll find on this page:
What is an annotated bibliography?
What should you include in your annotations, how should you format your annotations.
For help writing your essay, research paper , or other project, check out these writing tips .
Bibliographies provide publication information for sources so that readers can locate them later. There are several different types of bibliographies. The most common types of bibliographies you will encounter in published works are full and selected bibliographies. A full bibliography lists all the sources cited in the work. A selected bibliography is a shortened bibliography in which the author does not list all the works cited, but instead just the most important ones cited. The CMOS usually recommends a full bibliography so that the reader can find every source used in a text.
The other two types of bibliographies are bibliographic essays and annotated bibliographies. These two forms describe the works cited in greater detail and help readers to learn about the sources. A bibliographic essay is a description of sources on a particular topic in essay form. These are generally meant to help researchers find material for research and are commonly used to describe material in special collections and archives. An annotated bibliography is more formal and provides a full citation for each source followed by a brief paragraph describing the source.
Students and researchers might create an annotated bibliography during research as a way to help them remember what a particular source they consulted was about so they can use it later while writing their paper.
The basic format of an annotated bibliography is to begin each bibliographic entry with a full citation in Chicago style. Then, you write a short paragraph about the work. You should generally try to aim for under 200 words for each entry. The information in your paragraph should describe your source. It can also evaluate the source, describe its argument and its strengths and weaknesses, and state whether it is helpful for your paper.
After you’ve created a citation for the sources you want to include in your annotated bibliography, you’ll need to create an annotation for each source. If you need help formatting your citations, be sure to check out our guide on Chicago-style citations .
You should try to keep your annotation short and focused. If you are describing an article, your paragraph will be fairly short. If you are describing a book that will be very important to your argument, you might want to write several paragraphs. If you are unsure of how long your annotations should be, check with your instructor for guidance.
The annotation itself can be descriptive, evaluative, or a mixture of both. A descriptive annotation simply describes your source. It typically summarizes the main ideas and arguments. This type of annotation might be helpful for providing basic information about sources related to your topic.
An evaluative annotation allows you to give your opinion on the source. In this type of annotation, you can evaluate the source and its argument. You can describe the strengths and weaknesses of the source and also say whether or not you think it might be helpful for your research and how it might be helpful.
According to the CMOS (see Fig. 14.10), the entries of an annotated bibliography are arranged alphabetically by author, just as in a standard Chicago bibliography. You’ll begin each entry with a full Chicago citation. The first line of the citation should be flush with the left margin, while all subsequent lines are indented half an inch, including the annotation itself. The citation and annotation should be single spaced. There should be a single blank line between entries.
Here’s an example:
Calhoun, Creighton Lee, Jr. Old Southern Apples: A Comprehensive History and Description of Varieties for Collectors, Growers, and Fruit Enthusiasts . Rev. ed. White River Junction: Chelsea Green Publishing, 2010. This revised edition is an important reference manual for those interested in growing apples, particularly if they are located in the southern part of the United States. The book provides a robust history of apples in the southern United States. It also discusses apple cultivation practices and how they have changed over time, as well as common uses for apples in the past and present. It concludes with an extensive description of over 2,000 extant and extinct apple varieties. For someone interested in heirloom apples, this guide provides helpful information for choosing the best varieties to grow. It will also interest those who are fans of history and unique varieties of fruit.
Bibliography:
The Chicago Manual of Style , 17th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2017. https://doi.org/10.7208/cmos17.
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Chicago Manual of Style 17th Edition

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This section contains information on The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) method of document formatting and citation. These resources follow the seventeenth edition of The Chicago Manual of Style (17t h e dition), which was issued in 2017.
Please note that although these resources reflect the most recent updates in the The Chicago Manual of Style (17 th edition) concerning documentation practices, you can review a full list of updates concerning usage, technology, professional practice, etc. at The Chicago Manual of Style Online .
Introduction
The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) covers a variety of topics from manuscript preparation and publication to grammar, usage, and documentation, and as such, it has been lovingly dubbed the “editor's bible.”
The material on this page focuses primarily on one of the two CMOS documentation styles: the Notes-Bibliography System (NB) , which is used by those working in literature, history, and the arts. The other documentation style, the Author-Date System, is nearly identical in content but slightly different in form and is preferred by those working in the social sciences.
Though the two systems both convey all of the important information about each source, they differ not only in terms of the way they direct readers to these sources, but also in terms of their formatting (e.g., the position of dates in citation entries). For examples of how these citation styles work in research papers, consult our sample papers:
Author-Date Sample Paper
NB Sample Paper
In addition to consulting The Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition) for more information, students may also find it useful to consult Kate L. Turabian's Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (8th edition). This manual, which presents what is commonly known as the "Turabian" citation style, follows the two CMOS patterns of documentation but offers slight modifications suited to student texts.
Notes and Bibliography (NB) in Chicago style
The Chicago Notes and Bibliography (NB) system is often used in the humanities to provide writers with a system for referencing their sources through the use of footnotes, endnotes, and through the use of a bibliography. This offers writers a flexible option for citation and provides an outlet for commenting on those sources, if needed. Proper use of the Notes and Bibliography system builds a writer’s credibility by demonstrating their accountability to source material. In addition, it can protect writers from accusations of plagiarism, which is the intentional or accidental uncredited use of source material created by others.
Introduction to Notes
In the Notes and Bibliography system, you should include a note (endnote or footnote) each time you use a source, whether through a direct quote, paraphrase, or summary. Footnotes are added at the end of the page on which the source is referenced, while endnotes are compiled at the end of each chapter or at the end of the entire document.
In either case, a superscript number corresponding to a note, along with the bibliographic information for that source, should be placed in the text following the end of the sentence or clause in which the source is referenced.
If a work includes a bibliography, which is typically preferred, then it is not necessary to provide full publication details in notes. However, if a bibliography is not included with a work, the first note for each source should include all relevant information about the source: author’s full name, source title, and facts of publication. If you cite the same source again, or if a bibliography is included in the work, the note only needs to include the surname of the author, a shortened form of the title (if more than four words), and the page number(s). However, in a work that does not include a bibliography, it is recommended that the full citation be repeated when it is first used in a new chapter.
In contrast to earlier editions of CMOS, if you cite the same source two or more times consecutively, CMOS recommends using shortened citations. In a work with a bibliography, the first reference should use a shortened citation which includes the author’s name, the source title, and the page number(s), and consecutive references to the same work may omit the source title and simply include the author and page number. Although discouraged by CMOS, if you cite the same source and page number(s) from a single source two or more times consecutively, it is also possible to utilize the word “Ibid.,” ( from the Latin ibidem, which means “in the same place,”) as the corresponding note. If you use the same source but a draw from different new page, the corresponding note should use “Ibid.” followed by a comma and the new page number(s).
In the NB system, the footnote or endnote itself begins with the appropriate full-sized number, followed by a period and then a space.
Introduction to Bibliographies
In the NB system, the bibliography provides an alphabetical list of all sources used in a given work. This page, most often titled Bibliography, is usually placed at the end of the work preceding the index. It should include all sources cited within the work and may sometimes include other relevant sources that were not cited but provide further reading.
Although bibliographic entries for various sources may be formatted differently, all included sources (books, articles, websites, etc.) are arranged alphabetically by author’s last name. If no author or editor is listed, the title or, as a last resort, a descriptive phrase may be used.
Though useful, a bibliography is not required in works that provide full bibliographic information in the notes.
Common Elements
All entries in the bibliography will include the author (or editor, compiler, translator), title, and publication information.
Author Names
The author’s name is inverted in the bibliography, placing the last name first and separating the last name and first name with a comma; for example, John Smith becomes Smith, John.
Titles of books and journals are italicized. Titles of articles, chapters, poems, etc. are placed in quotation marks .
Publication Information
The year of publication is listed after the publisher or journal name .
Punctuation
In a bibliography, all major elements are separated by periods.
For more information and specific examples, see the sections on Books and Periodicals .
Please note that this OWL resource provides basic information regarding the formatting of entries used in the bibliography. For more information about Selected Bibliographies, Annotated Bibliographies, and Bibliographic Essays, please consult Chapter 14.61 of The Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition).
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How to write an annotated bibliography in Chicago style [Updated 2023]

A Chicago annotated bibliography includes citations for the sources you are using and an annotation summarizing and/or evaluating each source. In this article, we define what an annotated bibliography is and offer tips for formatting one in Chicago style. We also include a Chicago citation example and a sample annotation.
What is an annotated bibliography?
A annotated bibliography is a list of citations for books, journals, periodicals, websites, articles, or other sources, accompanied by a descriptive paragraph that summarizes and evaluates the source. The descriptive paragraph is called an annotation .
Descriptive paragraphs typically range between 100 and 300 words. Ultimately, an annotated bibliography informs the reader about the source's accuracy, quality, and relevance to your subject.
How to format an annotated bibliography in Chicago style
An annotated bibliography in Chicago style essentially contains two items: a citation for each source and an annotation. In this section, we discuss how to format the citation and what to include in the annotation.
The citation
Start by formatting the citation in correct Chicago style . Chicago-style citations come in two varieties: the notes and bibliography system and the author-date approach.
The notes and bibliography system is more common in the humanities, while the author-date system is used primarily in the sciences and social sciences. However, for an annotated bibliography in Chicago style, you will most likely be asked to use only the bibliographic reference format from the notes and bibliography system.
The elements of a bibliographic citation in Chicago style include:
- the author’s name in reverse order
- the title of the source
- publication information
In the next section, we provide an example of a correct Chicago citation for a source in an annotated bibliography.
The annotation
After citing the source, write a concise annotation, summarizing the source’s central argument and evaluating its credibility and relevance to your research. In most cases, an annotation ranges between 100 and 300 words.
An annotation can include several items:
- a brief summary of the source, especially its main argument
- the strengths and weaknesses of your source
- the source’s relevance to your research topic
- a brief discussion of the relationship between the source and other studies in the field
- information about the author’s background
After summarizing the source, you should evaluate it. For instance, is the source peer-reviewed ? What are the author’s credentials? What is the purpose of the source? You can use one of several evaluation methods, like CRAAP (currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose), to determine if a source is credible .
Finally, depending on the assignment’s guidelines, you should include some explanation of the source’s relevance to your research project. How will you use the source? How will your research benefit from its insights?
Example entry for an annotated bibliography in Chicago style
Davidson, Hilda Ellis. Roles of the Northern Goddess. London: Routledge, 1998.
Davidson's book provides a thorough examination of Northern Europe's major roles associated with several pagan goddesses. Some roles in everyday life include agriculture, hunting, domestic art like weaving, and death. In this book, the author discusses relevant archaeological evidence, previous research, and patterns of rituals and symbols. The book includes several photographs of relevant artifacts.
This Chicago-style annotation from Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab (OWL) is a single paragraph summarizing the book. In a longer annotation, you would evaluate the source’s credibility and relevance, in addition to summarizing it.
Chicago annotated bibliography tips
1. review your instructor’s guidelines for the annotated bibliography..
Instructors will often assign an annotated bibliography as part of a larger research project. To best understand what your instructor expects, be sure to read the assignment guidelines . If you’re not sure about something, ask your instructor for clarification as soon as possible.
2. Take the time to really familiarize yourself with your sources.
You should read each source carefully before writing an annotation. Take good notes, so you can easily summarize the main argument of the source. If you’re unsure about the best strategies for reading academic sources, take a look at our guide on how to read a scholarly article .
3. Save time by using a citation generator.
To quickly format your citations, try BibGuru’s Chicago citation generator . This will save you time and enable you to focus more deeply on writing your annotations.
4. Use CRAAP or another method to evaluate each source.
You can use CRAAP (currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose) or the six questions words (who? what? when? where? how? and what?) to evaluate whether a source is credible.
A source is likely credible if the tone is objective, the author is an expert in their field, and it is peer-reviewed. Take a look at our guide on finding, evaluating, and citing scholarly sources to learn more about these methods.
5. Use clear, concise, and correct language in your annotation.
You should always try to use language that is clear, concise, concrete, and correct when you write your annotations. As examples of academic writing , annotations should follow the typical conventions.
This doesn’t mean that your annotation needs to be full of jargon or “big words.” Instead, use as few words as possible to make a point. And, be sure to check that your grammar and spelling is correct.
Frequently Asked Questions about annotated bibliographies in Chicago style
An annotated bibliography includes a citation and an annotation. In your annotation, you’ll want to provide a brief summary of the source, an assessment of its credibility, and how the source will benefit your research.
Your annotated bibliography needs to include a citation, as well as a summary and evaluation of the work. These three parts should be present for every source.
The length of your bibliography will depend on the number of sources you’re required to use and the type of assignment. Annotated bibliographies for many English or writing classes feature around 8-10 sources.
To start an annotated bibliography, create a correctly formatted citation for each source, then write out the annotations. To quickly format your citations, try BibGuru’s Chicago citation generator .
Typically, an annotated bibliography in Chicago style uses 1-inch margins and double-spacing for entries.

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Annotations.
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Writing an Evaluative Annotation
Basic tips on writing and formatting, sample evaluative annotation, useful links for annotated bibliographies.
An annotated bibliography is a list of citations for various books, articles, and other sources on a topic. The annotated bibliography looks like a Works Cited page but includes an annotation after each source cited. An annotation is a short summary and/or critical evaluation of a source. Annotated bibliographies can be part of a larger research project, or can be a stand-alone report in itself.
Types of Annotations
A summary annotation describes the source by answering the following questions: who wrote the document, what the document discusses, when and where was the document written, why was the document produced, and how was it provided to the public. The focus is on description.
An evaluative annotation includes a summary as listed above but also critically assesses the work for accuracy, relevance, and quality. Evaluative annotations can help you learn about your topic, develop a thesis statement, decide if a specific source will be useful for your assignment, and determine if there is enough valid information available to complete your project. The focus is on description and evaluation.
What is an Annotated Bibliography?
- Cite the source using Chicago style.
- Describe the main ideas, arguments, themes, theses, or methodology, and identify the intended audience.
- Explain the author’s expertise, point of view, and any bias he/she may have.
- Compare to other sources on the same topic that you have also cited to show similarities and differences.
- Explain why each source is useful for your research topic and how it relates to your topic.
- Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each source.
- Identify the observations or conclusions of the author.
- Each annotation should be one paragraph, between three to six sentences long (about 150- 200 words).
- Start with the same format as a regular Works Cited list.
- 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)
London, Herbert. “Five Myths of the Television Age.” Television Quarterly , 10, no. 1 (March 1982): 69-81. Herbert London, the Dean of Journalism at New York University and author of several books and articles, explains how television contradicts five commonly believed ideas. He uses specific examples of events seen on television, such as the assassination of John Kennedy, to illustrate his points. His examples have been selected to contradict such truisms as: “seeing is believing”; “a picture is worth a thousand words”; and “satisfaction is its own reward.” London uses logical arguments to support his ideas which are his personal opinion. He does not refer to any previous works on the topic. London’s style and vocabulary would make the article of interest to any reader. The article clearly illustrates London’s points, but does not explore their implications leaving the reader with many unanswered questions.
Adapted from:
"How to Write Annotated Bibliographies." Memorial University Libraries , www.library.mun.ca/researchtools/guides/writing/annotated_bibl/. Accessed 29 June 2016.
- Annotated Bibliographies Overview of purpose and form of annotated bibliographies from the Purdue OWL.
- Sample Annotated Bibliographies Sample annotated bibliographies from the OWL (Online Writing Lab) at Purdue University.
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Chicago Annotated Bibliography – Format & Examples
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A Chicago annotated bibliography is a collection of references, books, papers, and other research sources on a subject that resembles a Works Cited page but adds annotations to each reference.
An annotation is a brief summary or critical analysis of a source that may be included in a broader research endeavor or may stand alone as a report. 1
Inhaltsverzeichnis
- 1 Chicago annotated bibliography – In a Nutshell
- 2 Definition: Chicago annotated bibliography
- 3 Chicago annotated bibliography: Writing annotations
- 4 Formatting a Chicago annotated bibliography
Chicago annotated bibliography – In a Nutshell
The following information must be included in a Chicago annotated bibliography
- The last and first names of the author. Name of the work. Name of the magazine, book, or website. Publisher, Place of Publication, and Year of Publication URL (if available).
- A succinct summary of the work’s subject
- An assessment of the contribution of the work to your research.
Here is an illustration of a book annotation in Chicago style:
- Smith’s book provides a thorough history of the American Revolution, covering both its causes and the actual conflict. The fact that it offers a thorough timeline of the occasions leading up to the conflict makes it valuable for my research
Definition: Chicago annotated bibliography
A Chicago annotated bibliography entails a list of references to publications like books and journal articles. Each citation is followed by an annotation, a brief descriptive and critical text (typically around 150 words). The annotation tries to educate the reader about the quoted sources’ quality, correctness, and relevance.
The Turabian style, which is published by the University of Chicago Press, is a manual for writers of research papers, theses, and dissertations. It provides instructions for writing and structuring these types of documents. A Chicago annotated bibliography example based on Turabian guidelines looks like this:
Arslan, Burcu. “APA Direct Quotes – Format & Examples.” Bachelorprint. November 12, 2022. https://www.bachelorprint.com/apa-style/apa-direct-quotes/.
An APA direct quote is an exact copy of the text from another author’s work. If the APA direct quote is less than 40 words enclose it in double quotation marks. If it exceeds 40 words, indent the paragraph.
Chicago annotated bibliography: Writing annotations
Descriptive annotations.
An annotation that is descriptive summarizes the key points, discoveries, or conclusions of a source, frequently in a very condensed form.
This annotation provides a quick summary of the source’s objectives, key points, and conclusions while evaluating the source’s usefulness for a research effort on the subject.
Evaluative annotations
An appraisal of the quality or usefulness of the resource is included in evaluative annotations, together with all the components of a descriptive annotation.
The review may also include statements regarding the author’s prejudice or purpose. In addition, your assessment could have a neutral, negative, or favorable tone.
Length of Annotations
The goal of the annotation, the length of the text being commented on, or the preferences of the person writing the annotation may all affect how long they are. Aiming for 50 to 200 words for each source is a decent rule of thumb, although, in rare situations, they may be as little as one phrase or as long as a page.
On average, annotations should be around 4-5 sentences or 150 words long. The Chicago annotated bibliography’s length is determined by its objective and target audience. 2
Formatting a Chicago annotated bibliography
Works Cited page’s fundamental structure is used to create the Chicago annotated bibliography for a paper written in Turabian.
The title of your work should be placed after the title of the Chicago annotated bibliography, which is centered and one inch from the top of the page (also centered). 3
What is an annotated bibliography?
A Chicago annotated bibliography collects resources on a subject while providing a brief description of each one, and strives to make it clear to the reader how each source relates to the subject at hand.
What is the Chicago Manual of Style?
It is a style and use manual for American English that has been published continuously by the University of Chicago Press since 1906.
It is now extensively utilized across various academic fields and is regarded as the benchmark for US publication style.
How do I format my Chicago annotated bibliography?
An annotated bibliography can be formatted in various ways. There are, nevertheless, some broad principles you can abide by.
A succinct summary of the source should follow the citation for each entry in your annotated bibliography.
1 Beatty, Luke, and Cynthia A. Cochran. Writing the Chicago annotated bibliography: A guide for students and researchers. Routledge, 2020.
2 Bara Kratcha, Kae, and Sophia C. Leveque. “Handout: Chicago Annotated Bibliography-Description and Examples.” (2020).
3 Clemen, Robert T. “Combining forecasts: A review and annotated bibliography.” International journal of forecasting 5, no. 4 (1989): 559-583.
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Citations: Chicago Style (17th ed.)
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What is it?
An annotated bibliography is simply a bibliography page (list of sources) in which each citation is followed by an annotation ("note") that describes or evaluates the source (or both). Annotations let your reader get a little extra insight into your sources and how they support your research.
What goes in your annotation?
Summary of the source.
Explain the main points of the work briefly.
Your summary should be original to you -- don't just copy/paste the publisher summary of a book or the abstract from a scholarly article.
Evaluation or Commentary
- Authority : is the author [or publisher] qualified and/or has expertise in the content area? what's their background (in relation to the topic)?
- Relevance : how valuable, effective, or useful was this source in your research?
- Context : who is the intended audience of this source? what is the purpose of it? does there seem to be any bias? are there gaps in coverage?
The exact details of what to include will depend on your assignment -- number of sources, what to discuss in the annotation, and length of your commentary.
- Purdue OWL Annotated Bibliographies page
- Critically Analyzing Information Sources: Critical Appraisal and Analysis This page from Cornell offers suggestions on how to tackle critically appraising an information source.
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Writing an Annotated Bibliography
- Annotated Bibliography Home
- Types of Resources
- Find Sources
- Evaluate Sources
- Citing Sources
- Need Help? Ask a Librarian
Here's an example of an entry from an annotated bibliography, with the citation of the book in Chicago style and a brief description of the book:
Garrow, David J. Protest at Selma: Martin Luther King and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 . New Haven: Yale University Press, 1978.
Garrow describes how the strategy of protest employed by Martin Luther King, Jr., and SCLC at Selma influenced the emergence of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He contends that the choice of Selma as a site for civil rights protests and the specific tactics that SCLC adopted in Selma were part of a plan to force the introduction and passage of national voting rights legislation. The foremost consideration in this campaign was the need to elicit "unprovoked white violence aimed at peaceful and unresisting civil rights demonstrators." Garrow argues that at Selma "a strategy that bordered on nonviolent provocation supplanted the earlier belief in nonviolent persuasion." SCLC correctly assumed that police violence would generate national media coverage and this, in turn, would stimulate reactions "throughout the country, and especially Washington," leading to pressure for federal voting rights legislation.
(Example from: The Civil Rights Movement: References and Resources , by Paul T. Murray. New York: G.K. Hall & Co., 1993.)
Dunnow, I. "Predictors of Young Adult Voting Behavior; the Beavis and Butthead' Experience." Annals of Antipathy 30.1 (1995): 57-98. I.
Dunnow's humorous satire of young voters also includes considerable research. Included are results of four surveys of first time voters conducted during the 1990s. Dunnow's tongue-in-cheek approach to developing his article entertains but doesn't distract the reader from the issues covered in the article.
(Example from: UNF LibGuide Creating an Annotated Bibliography )
- Annotated bibliographies in the library collection
- Perdue OWL Writing Center Examples
- UNF LibGiuide - Creating an Annotated Bibliography
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- Last Updated: Oct 17, 2022 2:42 PM
- URL: https://library.mcla.edu/annotatedbib

Annotated Bibliography
- What is an Annotated Bibliography?
- Parts of an Annotation
- Sample APA Annotation
- Sample MLA Annotation
- Sample Chicago Annotation
OWL at Purdue Chicago Manual of Style
Chicago Manual of Style 17th online edition can be referenced here .
General Guidelines
Annotations can be merely descriptive , summarizing the authors' qualifications, research methods, and arguments.
Annotations can evaluate the quality of scholarship in a book or article. You might want to consider the logic of authors' arguments, and the quality of their evidence. Your findings can be positive, negative, or mixed.
Your professor might also want you to explain why the source is relevant to your assignment.
Battle, Ken. "Child Poverty: The Evolution and Impact of Child Benefits." In A Question of Commitment: Children's Rights in Canada , edited by Katherine Covell and Howe, R. Brian, 21-44. Waterloo, ON: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2007.
Ken Battle draws on a close study of government documents, as well as his own research as an extensively-published policy analyst, to explain Canadian child benefit programs. He outlines some fundamental assumptions supporting the belief that all society members should contribute to the upbringing of children. His comparison of child poverty rates in a number of countries is a useful wake-up to anyone assuming Canadian society is doing a good job of protecting children. Battle pays particular attention to the National Child Benefit (NCB), arguing that it did not deserve to be criticized by politicians and journalists. He outlines the NCB’s development, costs, and benefits, and laments that the Conservative government scaled it back in favour of the inferior Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB). However, he relies too heavily on his own work; he is the sole or primary author of almost half the sources in his bibliography. He could make this work stronger by drawing from others' perspectives and analyses. However, Battle does offer a valuable source for this essay, because the chapter provides a concise overview of government-funded assistance currently available to parents. This offers context for analyzing the scope and financial reality of child poverty in Canada.
- << Previous: Sample MLA Annotation
- Last Updated: Oct 21, 2021 10:31 AM
- URL: https://niagara.libguides.com/annotatedbib

- California State University, Northridge
HIST 342 - The World Since 1945
- Annotated Bibliography
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Creating Annotated Bibliographies
An annotated bibliography is a list of sources (books, articles, websites, etc.) with short paragraph about each source. An annotated bibliography is sometimes a useful step before drafting a research paper, or it can stand alone as an overview of the research available on a topic.
Each source in the annotated bibliography has a citation - the information a reader needs to find the original source, in a consistent format to make that easier. These consistent formats are called citation styles. NOTE: For History majors and historians the citation style format of choice is The Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian . The other most common citation styles are MLA (Modern Language Association) for humanities, and APA (American Psychological Association) for social sciences.
Annotations are about 4 to 6 sentences long (roughly 150 words), and address:
- Main focus or purpose of the work
- Usefulness or relevance to your research topic
- Special features of the work that were unique or helpful
- Background and credibility of the author
- Conclusions or observations reached by the author
- Conclusions or observations reached by you
Annotations versus Abstracts
Many scholarly articles start with an abstract, which is the author's summary of the article to help you decide whether you should read the entire article. This abstract is not the same thing as an annotation. The annotation needs to be in your own words, to explain the relevance of the source to your particular assignment or research question.
Compiling an Annotated Bibliography in Chicago Style (Red Deer Library & More)
Visit this helpful guide to learn more about how to approach building your annotated bibliography. The authors of this guide point out that, "An annotated bibliography is the same as a “regular” bibliography (also known as a Works Cited or References list), with the addition of annotations (short paragraphs about each source). Two types of annotated bibliographies are the most common:
- Descriptive: annotations describe the content of a source
- Evaluative: annotations describe AND critically evaluate the source"
Red Deer Library
- https://rdc.libguides.com/chicago/annotated
- They also have posted formatting assistance from this link .
UCLA History Department (REVISED) Annotated Bibliography Assistance These guidelines may help you write an annotated bibliography for a history class. Your professor might provide specific guidelines that provide more detail than the information here. Always follow your professor’s instructions.
Annotated Bibliography video
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Ready, Set, Cite (Chicago)
- Annotated Bibliography
- Chicago Style Basics
- Formatting the Paper
- Citation Basics
- Notes-Bibliography System
- Citations: Author-Date References System
What is an Annotated Bibliography & Why Write One
Chicago style annotated bibliography example, what is an annotated bibliography.
A bibliograph y is a list of sources (books, journals, Web sites, periodicals, etc.) you used for researching your topic. Bibliographies are called "Works Cited" (in MLA Style) and "References" (in APA Style) Your bibliography will include the bibliographic information (i.e., the author, title, publisher, etc.) that your reader would need to identify and locate the original source you're citing.
An annotation is a summary and/or evaluation of a source.
Therefore, an annotated bibliography includes your citation followed by a summary and/or evaluation of each of your sources. 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 is the point of this book or article? What topics are covered? If someone asked what this article/book is about, what would you say?
- Assess: After summarizing a source, it may be helpful to evaluate it. Is it a useful source? How does it compare with other sources in your bibliography? Is the information reliable? Is this source biased or objective? What is the goal of this source?
- Reflect: Once you've summarized and assessed a source, you need to ask how it fits into your research. Was this source helpful to you? How does it help you shape your argument? How can you use this source in your research project? Has it changed how you think about your topic?
Your annotated bibliography may include some of these, all of these, or even others.
Be sure to always follow the specific instructions your instructor gives you.
Why Write an Annotated Bibliography
Every good research paper is an argument. The purpose of research is to state and support a thesis. So, a very important part of research is developing a thesis that is debatable, interesting, and current. Writing an annotated bibliography can help you gain a good perspective on what is being said about your topic. By reading and responding to a variety of sources on a topic, you'll start to see what the issues are, what people are arguing about, and you'll then be able to develop your own point of view.
Writing an annotated bibliography is excellent preparation for a research project. Just collecting sources for a bibliography is useful, but when you have to write annotations for each source, you're forced to read each source more carefully. You begin to read more critically instead of just collecting information.
Chicago Style
Formatting rules.
- Order your references in alphabetical order as you would in your Bibliography.
- Each annotation should be a new paragraph below its reference entry. Indent the entire annotation 0.5 in. from the left margin.
- Do not indent the first line of the annotation.
Because your teachers generally set all the other requirements for your annotated bibliography, ask your teacher for specific instructions. For example, ask if your annotated bibliography should include a title page.

Sample Annotated Bibliography Using Chicago Style
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This research guide is licensed under (CC BY-NC 4.0) .
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Book/Printed Material Doing research in current marriage and divorce law: guide and selective annotated bibliography
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About this Item
- Doing research in current marriage and divorce law: guide and selective annotated bibliography
Created / Published
- Washington, D.C. : The Law Library of Congress, Global Legal Research Directorate, 1991.
- 1 online resource
- https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.law/llglrd.2021699839
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Online format, lccn permalink.
- https://lccn.loc.gov/2021699839
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Publications of the Law Library of Congress are works of the United States Government as defined in the United States Code 17 U.S.C. §105 and therefore are not subject to copyright and are free to use and reuse. The Library of Congress has no objection to the international use and reuse of Library U.S. Government works on loc.gov . These works are also available for worldwide use and reuse under CC0 1.0 Universal.
However, copyright protections may apply to copyrighted images or material from a third party that is contained in the publication. Please note that the written permission of the copyright owners and/or other rights holders (such as publicity and/or privacy rights) is required for distribution, reproduction, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use or other statutory exemptions. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permissions ultimately rests with persons desiring to use the item. You are responsible for deciding whether your use of the items in this collection is legal. You will need written permission from the rightsholders to copy, distribute, or otherwise use copyrighted materials except as allowed by fair use or other statutory exemptions. Some materials may be protected under international law. You may also need permission from holders of other rights, such as publicity and/or privacy rights.
Credit Line: Law Library of Congress
More about Copyright and other Restrictions
For guidance about compiling full citations consult Citing Primary Sources .
Cite This Item
Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.
Chicago citation style:
Doing Research in Current Marriage and Divorce Law: Guide and Selective Annotated Bibliography . Washington, D.C.: The Law Library of Congress, Global Legal Research Directorate, 1991. Pdf. https://www.loc.gov/item/2021699839/.
APA citation style:
(1991) Doing Research in Current Marriage and Divorce Law: Guide and Selective Annotated Bibliography . Washington, D.C.: The Law Library of Congress, Global Legal Research Directorate. [Pdf] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2021699839/.
MLA citation style:
Doing Research in Current Marriage and Divorce Law: Guide and Selective Annotated Bibliography . Washington, D.C.: The Law Library of Congress, Global Legal Research Directorate, 1991. Pdf. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2021699839/>.
- Formatting Guides
- Chicago/ Turabian
- How to Do a Chicago Bibliography: Simple Formatting Rules & Example

How to Do a Chicago Bibliography: Simple Formatting Rules & Example

Table of contents
A bibliography, Chicago section is a required element of an academic paper in historical research. It lists all sources you have used in your work and today we will learn how to create it. Its structure is simple. Each reference is a separate entry starting from a new line. It should contain source author’s name, title of said source and its publication details:
- Location (city or university campus)
- Publisher name
- Year of publication
There are some additional rules for specific kinds of sources when additional information is to be given, such as an editor name or a URL where a source was retrieved from. We will review them in detail below.
What Is Chicago Turabian Bibliography
Chicago/ Turabian bibliography is a special version of Chicago style. It is specifically designed for students and researchers. Main guidelines of Chicago Turabian bibliography are:
- This style's bibliography section should start from a new page.
- It should begin with an exact title ‘Bibliography’, centered.
- The first entry should start after two blank lines.
- Entries should be single-spaced, each one followed by a blank line.
- 0.5 in indent should be applied to the whole page. First line of each entry should be flushed left.
- Full first name of each author is to be provided as well.
Formatting the Chicago Style Bibliography
These are general rules of how to format Chicago style bibliography :
- Bibliography is the last section of your paper that starts from a new page.
- This section should be single-spaced, unlike other parts of your paper.
- A heading saying, ‘Bibliography’ should be placed at the top of the first page, bold and centered.
- Each reference entry is a separate paragraph, indented 0.5 in. Exception is for the first line that is flushed left. An empty line should be put after each entry.
- Complete information about a source is provided.
There are also strict guidelines regarding the formatting of various kinds of citations that may appear in your paper. Let us review them in detail.
Chicago Style Citation Bibliography
Let us take a closer look at how each reference entry in Chicago citation bibliography is to be formatted. This style recommends taking a special approach to citing different kinds of sources, such as:
While basic requirement is to provide all important information about the source in your citation, the exact details may vary. We will now fully describe how you should make Chicago-styled reference in each of these cases. Examples will be provided as well. Please note that only author's first name will be used in each of the examples. Special requirements regarding authors in Chicago bibliography style will be covered in our next section.
Chicago Style Bibliography Book
Let us start with formatting a Chicago book bibliography entry. General structure is as follows:
Some additional rules apply here:
- Always abbreviate an edition name or number.
- When citing a specific chapter in a book, enclose chapter title into double quotes. Start your citation with author’s name of each chapter.
- Only include the URL if you’ve retrieved this book online.
An example of a Chicago book bibliography entry:

Looking for Chicago style book citation ? We have one more blog dedicated to this topic.
Bibliography Chicago Style Website
Format is slightly different when you need to make a Chicago bibliography website reference. No publisher information is required, but you must provide the URL of site cited. Typically, your reference also includes title of that page where you have found your material on and an exact date when this page was created. Take a look at this general structure:
You should also know these additional rules:
- For anonymous pages, put website’s name instead of author’s one. Do not repeat it later in this reference.
- Specify an exact date when you have accessed this page in case no publication date is provided.
Consider this example:

Chicago Style Bibliography Magazine
You need to make a Chicago bibliography magazine citation for every magazine article you have consulted when writing your paper. Name of magazine you are citing should be italicized. Don't provide any page numbers. Magazine articles can get other materials inserted inside them, including ads. Here's how a general structure should look like:
A URL must be also specified in case you have used an online version of a magazine.
An example of a Chicago style bibliography magazine reference:

Chicago Style Bibliography Journal
In a Chicago bibliography journal citation you need to provide additional details, such as page range where your material was taken from and specific issue which contains this article. The journal’s name must be italicized. The general structure is as follows:
A digital object notificatore (DOI) must be provided for articles accessed online. In case DOI is not available, provide article’s URL instead. Take a look at this example:

Authors in a Chicago Bibliography
Now let us examine what information should be provided in Chicago, author bibliography about your sources’ authors. According to guidelines of this style, rules are as follows:
- Use full first names. Middle initials (e.g. when name is John A. Doe) should stay abbreviated.
- Put authors’ names before title of source you are citing.
- Do not alphabetize multiple names within one reference. The original order of a book’s authors should be kept.
- At the same time, follow an alphabetization order (A to Z) among all references.
There are several specific cases where some special rules apply. Let us explore them in detail.
Chicago Bibliography Multiple Authors
When composing your Chicago bibliography, you often might come across a book or an article written by multiple authors. When citing such a source, make only the first author’s name inverted . Leave all subsequent names in their usual order. If your source has 10 authors or less, you have to provide all their names in an order they appear in source your are citing. Separate them by commas and put “and” before last one, not ‘&’. If it has more than 10 authors, provide first seven names and put “et al.” in the end. The example is as follows:

Chicago Style Bibliography Same Author Multiple Works
Another common case in Chicago bibliography is using multiple works by same author. This might be useful for your research. The list of such sources should be formatted in following way:
- Author’s name is provided for the first source only.
- Other works by the same author are listed beneath it in an alphabetical order. They should be sorted by title. Use an alphabetizer to organize your references quickly.
- For each of them, replace author’s name with three ‘3-em dashes’ (or long dashes). The other information in each citation should be provided as usual.
Consider the following example:

Chicago Bibliography No Author
In Chicago bibliography, it also might happen that your source has no author: e.g. when you cite an anonymous website page. In such a case, it is necessary to place an organization that published it as the first element of your reference entry. For a website Chicago format , you should put the name of its owner instead of the name of that organization. And in case its owner is unknown, just start your reference with the website's name. Take a look at this example:

Chicago Style Bibliography Example
In order to illustrate the above information, we have composed an example bibliography, Chicago style. This is a brief list of different samples of references. Each of them covers a different type of source for your convenience. Depending on your research topic, this section could be bigger or smaller. It can contain 20 sources or even more. This example includes only the types of sources we have described above in order to keep it short.

Bibliography vs Reference List
Let us review the difference: reference list vs bibliography. Actually, it depends upon the substyle you have chosen for your paper. For an author-date system where you have to provide your Chicago style in text citation in parentheses. The section with the complete list of sources is named the Reference list and it is also mandatory. If you choose the Notes and Bibliography substyle, this section is named Bibliography. Both kinds of reference sections contain the sources with the complete information about them. The only differences between them are the section heading and the placement of the date when the source was published (or when you have consulted it). In a reference list, the date is placed immediately after the author’s name.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Chicago style bibliography
1. how do i cite a source with no date in chicago style.
When writing a bibliography, Chicago-styled, you are allowed to use sources with no publication date provided. Most often, it happens with materials posted online. In this case you are expected to provide the date when you have accessed this specific material or web page. Put the word ‘Accessed’ before the date to make it clear. In footnote citations, you need to provide the same date for this specific source. It should also start with ‘Accessed’.
2. What is the difference between a bibliography and an annotated bibliography?
A bibliography (Chicago style) is a section where all sources you have used when writing your work are listed, with all information about them provided (including author’s, titles, date and publication information). This section must also correspond to all footnote citations in your paper. An annotated bibliography is a special section in a research paper. It examines each source you have picked, evaluates the level of its relationship to the topic and concludes whether it is appropriate for your work.
3. What's the difference between endnotes and a bibliography?
In your Chicago style bibliography, you need to provide complete information about your source. Also, where you can find it. This is necessary to locate a specific version of an article or a book edition. Endnotes in your paper are used to provide more information on where your specific argument or statistic came from. Endnotes are made using an in-text superscript numbering system to make it easier to locate them.
4. Is a Chicago style bibliography double spaced?
There are strict rules about spacing on the Chicago bibliography page. Chicago style in general prefers double spacing across the entire paper. However, a bibliography page must have one-inch margins all around and single spacing for each entry. You need to add a single-spaced line between each entry to make them distinguishable. Besides, your instructor might prefer double-spacing throughout this whole work as well.

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Published on: Sep 7, 2018
Last updated on: Feb 22, 2023

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Are you a research student trying to write an annotated bibliography for your project?
We understand that it's not an easy task. Especially if you don't know how to write and format your annotations. That is why you need examples to help you out.
If you are having trouble understanding the format and need examples of how to get started, then this guide is for you.
In this blog, we will provide annotated bibliography examples and writing tips to help you create your own bibliography quickly and easily.
So continue reading!
What is an Annotated Bibliography
An annotated bibliography is an organized list of sources with a brief summary and explanation.
The first part is a simple citation and then comes a brief explanation of the source, which is 150-200 words long. The length of the annotation will also be according to your teacher’s requirements.
The main purpose of writing an annotated bibliography is to analyze the sources. Besides, they are also helpful for other researchers, authors of annotations, and teachers. Moreover, it helps in honing a student’s writing and critical analysis skills.
What Does an Annotated Bibliography Look Like?
An annotated bibliography usually contains the following elements for each source:
- Citation in an accepted format, such as MLA or APA
- A brief description of the content and purpose of the source
- An evaluation of the source's reliability, accuracy, and usefulness
- Relevant information that may not be included in the citation, such as the author's credentials or other works by the same author
- A reflection on how the source contributes to the research project
- The relevance of the source to its context.
The annotations for each source should be concise and to the point. However, they should also provide enough information for readers to understand the relevance of the source.
Check out the video below to see how an annotated bibliography looks like in practice:
How to Write an Annotated Bibliography?
Below are the steps to write an annotated bibliography;
- Analyze the sources properly.
- Add the citation and follow the given format like MLA, APA, or Chicago.
- Add the annotation afterward. The annotation is a short and brief summary of the source.
- Discuss the qualification of the author. Tell the readers why he is qualified to write the paper or conduct the cited research.
- Evaluate the source in a few lines.
- Add self-reflection and personal evaluation at the end of the annotation.
Check out this list of possible annotated bibliography topics for help!
You will understand how to write an annotated bibliography better after going through the examples discussed in this blog.
Here is an annotated bibliography example to start with:

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Here is another introduction for annotated bibliography example:
Annotated Bibliography Example - APA Style
One of the most commonly used annotated bibliography styles is APA, developed by the American Psychological Association. It is used in a diverse set of fields, from hard sciences to social sciences. If your teacher has not specified any style, using APA is the safest bet.
If you are doing an annotated bibliography according to APA format , the first thing you should consider is the citation. Make sure that you format the link of the journal, book, or article that you use, in APA format style.
After the citation, write an indented paragraph, giving a brief explanation of what is stated in the respective citation or source. An example of annotated bibliography, APA is mentioned below.
Annotated Bibliography Example PDF
Annotated Bibliography Example APA 7
APA 7th edition is one of the editions of APA that is still widely used. Knowing how to write your annotated bibliography using these guidelines can help you throughout your academic career.
Here is an example of an annotation in APA 7th style
Annotated Bibliography Example APA 7 PDF
Annotated Bibliography Example - MLA Style
The MLA format is developed and named after the Modern Language Association. It is more commonly used in fields related to humanities, including religion, literature, and others.
Now, coming down to the MLA format , the only changes will be in the citation. The annotation part will stay the same. A better way to explain this is by giving examples. Examples of annotated bibliography MLA are as follows.
MLA Annotated bibliography example pdf
Annotated Bibliography Example MLA 9
The Modern Language Association (MLA) 9th edition is a widely-used formatting style for research and academic papers. It is recommended by many universities and scholarly organizations, as it provides guidelines that's easy to read and follow.
MLA 9th Annotated bibliography example pdf
Annotated Bibliography Example - Chicago Style
Similar to APA and MLA, in Chicago style annotated bibliography, the main thing that changes is the citation format. The annotation pretty much follows the same pattern as we have discussed above.
Below is a Chicago style annotated bibliography example:
Chicago style Annotated bibliography example
As you can see, this is an example of an annotated bibliography in its simplest form. In the above example, the writer has only given a brief explanation of what the paper is about. The main focus of the small brief is to talk about the project the book has worked on.
Annotated Bibliography Example Harvard
Harvard format is a widely used referencing style. It is primarily used in the field of humanities and social sciences to cite sources in academic writing. In Harvard format, a detailed reference list is given at the end of the document.
An annotation is Harvard is similar to other styles, except for the difference in the citation. Here is an example:
Annotated Bibliography Harvard Style
Annotated Bibliography Example Turabian
Turabian format is a style of writing developed by Kate L. Turabian in her book A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations.
It is designed to provide guidelines for the general structure and format of academic papers written at the college or university level. It is based on Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) but includes several unique features and provides more flexibility for students who are not experts in the style.
The example below shows how to write an annotated bibliography in the Turabian style.
Turabian Annotated Bibliography Example PDF
Examples of Different Types of Annotated Bibliography
There are four different types of annotated bibliographies:
- Descriptive Annotated Bibliography
Evaluative Annotated Bibliography
Informative annotated bibliography, combination annotated bibliography.
Each type demands a different style of writing the annotation. Let’s take a look at each type of bibliography with examples:
Descriptive Annotated Bibliography
An indicative annotated bibliography, also known as a descriptive type of annotation, gives you an overview and explanation of the citation or reference.
This citation covers:
- The main theme and content of the material
- A concise overview of its most important points
Griffin, C. Williams, ed. (1982). Teaching writing in all disciplines. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Ten essays about the writing curriculum, teaching writing in other disciplines, and techniques for using writing to learn. They include Toby Fulwiler's "Writing: An Act of Cognition"; Barbara King's "Using Writing in Mathematics Class: Theory and Practice"; Dean Drenk's "Teaching Finance Through Writing"; and Elaine Maimon's "Writing Across the Curriculum: Past, Present, and Future."
An evaluative bibliography is an invaluable tool that allows you to assess the validity and accuracy of a source. More in-depth than a regular bibliography, it involves summarizing main ideas as well conducting critical judgment and offering personal opinion about its content.
This means that you will need to look at the big picture, as well as smaller details. You will also need to provide your own thoughts on it. With this kind of annotation at hand, assessing any text becomes effortless!
Gurko, Leo. (1968). Ernest Hemingway and the pursuit of heroism. New York: Crowell.
This book is about a writer from the 20th century named Hemingway. He wrote many books and was famous for writing about his life. There is a quick summary of him at the beginning, but then it gets into his work. There are two sections to this book: biography and works by Hemingway.
The biography is short, easy to read, and sounds like it's just telling you what happened in his life without giving any details or going deep into anything. The section on his work goes over every one of his books in detail and also tells you how they were received by critics when they were published.
An Annotated Bibliography of the Informative type is just like its name suggests, providing a summary of the source. This bibliography does not contain any personal views or opinions. Instead, it simply presents factual information such as arguments and research data.
This type of annotation includes an overview only without making value judgments on the content presented in it. Specifically, it contains
- The thesis of the paper
- The main hypothesis of the paper
- The data and evidence presented in the study
- Results of the study
Voeltz, L.M. (1980). Children’s attitudes toward handicapped peers. American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 84, 455-464.
The socialization of disabled children in schools has been a hot topic for many years. We've seen more and more services made available to these kids as they come into contact with them regularly, which is prompting new questions about how their attitudes will change over time.
A study of 2,392 children found four factors that affect their attitudes towards kids with disabilities. The first factor is social-contact willingness: how willing they are to have contact and play with others who may be different than them?\
The second factor is deviance consequation: the likelihood that an individual will act in ways that could result in being excluded or bullied by other kids for engaging with someone outside one's typical peer group.
Thirdly, there were two different kinds of contact that were measured - both how to communicate during interactions and how to deal with people who have needs that are different than most people.
This is a study that shows that children who are in schools with severely handicapped peers, or girls, have more accepting attitudes. We must develop interventions to help these children accept people with different abilities.
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By blending two or more kinds of annotations, annotated bibliographies typically include the writer's own perspective at their conclusion. As such, many writers combine multiple types of annotation in order to create a comprehensive overview for readers.
Morris, Joyce M. (1959). Reading in the primary school: An investigation into standards of reading and their association with primary school characteristics. London: Newnes, for National Foundation for Educational Research.
The report explores how large-scale English children’s reading standards are related to conditions - size classes, organization types, and methods of teaching. 60 schools from Kent were surveyed where the kids were learning English as their first language.
Studying everything about these kids included meticulous research techniques that explored whether there was any correlation between family background or the social environment that affected their learning process.
The above examples are your starting points for writing an effective annotated bibliography. We hope this guide will help you in writing your annotated bibliography easily.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 3 parts of an annotated bibliography.
The parts of an annotated bibliography include a title, annotation, and citation. The format of the citation and title page could be different and according to the format the annotation is following.
How long should an annotated bibliography be?
Usually, an annotated bibliography is between 150 and 200 words. However, the length could vary, depending on the kind of referencing format you use. For example, Chicago style annotation would be shorter than APA and MLA style.
What are the 3 types of annotations?
The 3 kinds of annotations are descriptive, summary, and evaluation. However, you can use any of these types or even all three of them in your annotation bibliography.
Where do you put the annotated bibliography?
Like the References and Works Cited page, an annotated bibliography is also placed at the end of the paper or essay. Instead of giving a list of references only, an annotated bibliography explains the sources to the readers.
Who is the audience for an annotated bibliography?
Usually, the audience for the annotated bibliography is the authors of other books and annotations, researchers, and instructors. Besides, it also guides the professors in assessing the kind of sources a student has used in his work.
How many articles should be in an annotated bibliography?
You should aim at adding at least 15 to 20 entries in your annotated bibliography. But, it depends on the kind of paper and your teacher’s requirements also.
How to write a critical annotated bibliography?
- Mention and explain the strengths and weaknesses of the source.
- How is it relevant to and useful for the paper or work?
- How does the source compare to other sources, articles, papers, and books?
Answer all these questions when working on your critical annotated bibliography.
How do you explain credibility in an annotated bibliography?
Inform the readers that the sources are from credible and recognized authors. Check the established and reputable institutes with which the author is affiliated. In case of citing a paper from a journal, make sure that the journal is credible.
Can you quote in an annotated bibliography?
Yes, you can add quotes from the chosen source. Usually, an annotation is no longer than 150 to 200 words. Try to use the same kind of language that the author has used and place the quote within the quotation marks.
Does an annotated bibliography need an introduction and conclusion?
Please check your assignment’s guidelines or instructions. If you are adding it in place of the references or bibliography, then it will not need a separate introduction and conclusion. If it is a standalone assignment then you may need to add it.
Can you use websites in an annotated bibliography?
Yes, you can add relevant, credible, and reputable websites in your annotated bibliography. However, make sure that you add relevant sites only that could offer greater insight into your topic.
What is the main advantage of having to write an annotated bibliography?
Here are the benefits of writing an annotated bibliography;
- It helps you in evaluating the credibility and authority of the added sources.
- It helps you understand the sources completely and in a better manner.
- It helps the readers know about your research and the kind of sources used in it.
Besides, it also helps in making the students’ writing skills better.
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Annotated Bibliography
Chicago metro history fair, the annotated bibliography.
The Annotated Bibliography is a required element of all History Day Projects.
What is a bibliography?
The bibliography is a list of sources used in research. The bibliography helps other researchers understand your research base and find those sources should they want to use them.
All History Day projects must include an annotated bibliography that follows these requirements:
- Lists all sources that students consulted in developing their entry.
- Combine photos or other materials from the same collection into a single citation. (See nhd.org/annotated-bibliography ).
- Separate your bibliography into two sections: one for primary sources and one for secondary sources.
- Do not attach primary or secondary materials to your annotated bibliography.
- Do not include your annotated bibliography in the word count.
- Each citation should have an annotation that explains how you used the source and how the source helped you understand your topic (see “About an ‘Annotated’ Bibliography” below for more details about annotation expectations.
- There is a specific format, or style, in which a bibliography should appear: MLA or Chicago Manual of Style. Ask your teacher which style to use.
About an “annotated” bibliography
Each citation must include a brief annotation. The purpose of the annotation is to provide information about your research process, not to provide analysis to circumvent the word count. Each annotation must be no more than two or three sentences. The annotation should explain the following:
- How you used the source
- How the source helped you to understand the topic
Use annotations to explain your reasoning for classifying any sources that are not clearly primary or secondary. Classifying a source as both primary and secondary is inappropriate.
Keep a working annotated bibliography during the research process because it will be challenging, if not impossible, to try and remember this information once you have finished your project. Lack of annotations can significantly damage a student’s evaluation in the competition.
Do you have sample annotations?
Example Annotated Bibliography – Documentary
Example Annotated Bibliography – Paper
Which bibliographic style is acceptable in History Day projects?
Rule 20 of the NHD Rule Book states: “Citations and bibliographic references must follow the most recent edition of one of the two permitted style guides below. Regardless of which manual you use, the style must be consistent throughout all written material.
- The Chicago Manual of Style by the University of Chicago Press
- MLA Handbook by the Modern Languages Association of America”
The NHD Rule Book notes that “Historians prefer The Chicago Manual of Style because its footnote/endnote formatting works best for historical sources. However, NHD accepts the MLA Handbook because of its widespread use in many schools.”
What resources can be consulted for bibliographic styles?
Style guides:.
- Chicago Manual of Style Quick Citation Guide
- Using MLA Format by the MLA Style Center
Online services:
- Citation Machine
- NoodleTools – History Day teachers can get a free year of access through this NHD program
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Annotated Bibliography
- Sample APA Annotation
- URL: https://libguides.enc.edu/writing_basics/annotatedbib
- Definition and Descriptions
- Evaluation Tools
- Parts of an Annotation
- Sample ASA Annotation
- Sample Chicago Annotation
- Sample MLA Annotation
Research Tools

American Psychological Association (APA) Annotations
Creating an annotated bibliography in APA style
The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association 6th edition (APA Manual) is kept behind the iDesk on the First Floor.
This example is based on the APA style guide, but your instructor might give you other formatting instructions .
General guidelines
Some annotations are merely descriptive , summarizing the authors' qualifications, research methods, and arguments.
Many annotations evaluate the quality of scholarship in a book or article. You might want to consider the logic of authors' arguments, and the quality of their evidence. Your findings can be positive, negative, or mixed.
Your professor might also want you to explain why the source is relevant to your assignment.
Sample Page: APA-formatted annotated bibliography
Rules! rules! rules!
The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.) states the following formatting rules:
- The text and the reference list should be double-spaced.
- Numbering starts on the title page, at the top right of the page.
- Reference list entries must have a hanging indent (to do this in Microsoft Word 2003, click Format, then Paragraph, then Special, and choose Hanging).
- There should be 1 inch (2.54 cm) margins all around (top, bottom, left, and right) on each page.
- Use Times Roman font, or a similar serif font.
- Each paragraph should be indented.
More Sample Annotations
- Annotated Bibliographies- Purdue OWL
The Memorial University of Newfoundland presents these examples of both descriptive and critical annotations .
Cornell University Library offers these instructions on preparing an annotated bibliography.
- << Previous: Sample Annotations
- Next: Sample ASA Annotation >>
- Last Updated: Aug 12, 2021 10:50 AM

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Turabian style, a version of Chicago style specifically designed for students and researchers, provides formatting guidelines for an annotated bibliography. A typical entry might look like this: Kenny, Anthony. A New History of Western Philosophy: In Four Parts. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010.
Annotated Bibliography - Chicago Style Example Entry Here is an example of an annotated bibliography entry in Chicago author-date style. Wilson, John, P. 2001. When the Texans Came: Missing Records from the Civil War in the Southwest. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.
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. For information on formatting MLA citations, see our MLA 9th Edition (2021) Formatting and Style Guide. Sample APA Annotation Ehrenreich, B. (2001).
Chicago style bibliography examples Bibliography entries vary in format depending on the type of source. Templates and examples for the most common source types are shown below. Book Book chapter Journal article Website The edition is always abbreviated (e.g. 2nd ed. or rev. ed.). Only include the URL for books you consulted online.
Sample Page: Chicago-formatted annotated bibliography 1 Battle, Ken. "Child Poverty: The Evolution and Impact of Child Benefits." In A Question of Commitment: Children's Rights in Canada, edited by Katherine Covell and Howe, R. Brian, 21-44. Waterloo, ON: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2007.
The basic format of an annotated bibliography is to begin each bibliographic entry with a full citation in Chicago style. Then, you write a short paragraph about the work. You should generally try to aim for under 200 words for each entry. The information in your paragraph should describe your source.
All entries in the bibliography will include the author (or editor, compiler, translator), title, and publication information. Author Names The author's name is inverted in the bibliography, placing the last name first and separating the last name and first name with a comma; for example, John Smith becomes Smith, John. Titles
Chicago Style Annotated Bibliography: Format + Example Emma Flores 2 min read UPD: Jul 21, 2022 Chicago style annotated bibliography looks like a standard bibliography page. Main difference is that an author should create an annotation for each entry in the list. Namely, give an expanded summary of your cited source.
Example of a Chicago Style Annotated Bibliography Entry Kerr, Don, and Roderic Beaujot. "Child Poverty and Family Structure in Canada, 1981-1997." Journal of Comparative Family Studies 34, no. 3 (2003): 321-335. Sociology professors Kerr and Beaujot analyze the demographics of impoverished families.
Annotated Bibliography* (1) Battle, Ken. "Child Poverty: The Evolution and Impact of Child Benefits." AANNNNOOTTAATTEED. D. BBIIBBLLIIOOGGRRAAPPHHYY. CCHHIICCAAGGO. O. S STTYYLLEE (1) Follow Chicago format. rules for the reference. after your first line, apply hanging indentation. (2) Provide an introduction that includes information on the
Example entry for an annotated bibliography in Chicago style Example Davidson, Hilda Ellis. Roles of the Northern Goddess. London: Routledge, 1998. Davidson's book provides a thorough examination of Northern Europe's major roles associated with several pagan goddesses.
How to Create an Annotated Bibliography (MLA) Writing an Evaluative Annotation Cite the source using Chicago style. Describe the main ideas, arguments, themes, theses, or methodology, and identify the intended audience. Explain the author's expertise, point of view, and any bias he/she may have.
Indicative Annotation Bibliography Example Zachs, Mitch. The Little Book of Stock Market Profits. John Wiley & Sons, 2011. This book covers a wide variety of strategies used in the stock market throughout the years to improve performance.
A Chicago annotated bibliography is a collection of references, books, papers, and other research sources on a subject that resembles a Works Cited page but adds annotations to each reference. An annotation is a brief summary or critical analysis of a source that may be included in a broader research endeavor or may stand alone as a report. 1.
Guide to formatting and citing using the notes-bibliography format for Chicago Style, 17th. ed. Getting Started; Paper Components; Annotated Bibliography. General Info; Example & More Resources; ... An annotated bibliography is simply a bibliography page (list of sources) in which each citation is followed by an annotation ("note") that ...
Here's an example of an entry from an annotated bibliography, with the citation of the book in Chicago style and a brief description of the book: Garrow, David J. Protest at Selma: Martin Luther King and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1978.
Annotations can be merely descriptive, summarizing the authors' qualifications, research methods, and arguments.. Annotations can evaluate the quality of scholarship in a book or article.You might want to consider the logic of authors' arguments, and the quality of their evidence. Your findings can be positive, negative, or mixed.
Each source in the annotated bibliography has a citation - the information a reader needs to find the original source, in a consistent format to make that easier. These consistent formats are called citation styles. NOTE: For History majors and historians the citation style format of choice is The Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian. The other ...
What is an Annotated Bibliography. A bibliography is a list of sources (books, journals, Web sites, periodicals, etc.) you used for researching your topic.Bibliographies are called "Works Cited" (in MLA Style) and "References" (in APA Style) Your bibliography will include the bibliographic information (i.e., the author, title, publisher, etc.) that your reader would need to identify and locate ...
Format. Book/Printed Material Dates. 1991 Language ... Chicago citation style: Doing Research in Current Marriage and ... .gov/item/2021699839/. APA citation style: (1991) Doing Research in Current Marriage and Divorce Law: Guide and Selective Annotated Bibliography. Washington, D.C.: The Law Library of Congress, Global Legal Research ...
Let us start with formatting a Chicago book bibliography entry. General structure is as follows: General format Author Last Name, First Name. Book Title: Subtitle. Edition. Place of publication: Publisher, Year. DOI/URL. Some additional rules apply here: Always abbreviate an edition name or number.
Annotated Bibliography Example - Chicago Style. Similar to APA and MLA, in Chicago style annotated bibliography, the main thing that changes is the citation format. The annotation pretty much follows the same pattern as we have discussed above. Below is a Chicago style annotated bibliography example:
There is a specific format, or style, in which a bibliography should appear: MLA or Chicago Manual of Style. Ask your teacher which style to use. About an "annotated" bibliography. Each citation must include a brief annotation. The purpose of the annotation is to provide information about your research process, not to provide analysis to ...
Creating an annotated bibliography in APA style. The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association 6th edition (APA Manual) is kept behind the iDesk on the First Floor.. This example is based on the APA style guide, but your instructor might give you other formatting instructions.. General guidelines. Some annotations are merely descriptive, summarizing the authors ...