Annotated Bibliography Guidelines

1. Divide bibliography entries into primary and secondary sources. Then list entries in alphabetical order by author (if no author, go by the title).
2. Annotate the bibliography by describing in complete sentences, and as specifically as possible, how the source was used in the project; e.g., I found the ___ map that showed how…, the ___ graph [or chart] comparing ___ with ___; the picture of __ showing how/why ___, or the [specific fact] about___.
3. Balance sources evenly among books, reference works, periodicals, personal interviews, and online sites. Quality personal interviews are a BIG plus. Up to twenty bonus points will be awarded for a transcript of an interview.
4. Wikipedia and personal websites cannot be used; they are unreliable sources.
5. Quality is more important than quantity, but assuming that the previous rules have been followed, the following rubric provides a rough grading guide:
   • Three primary sources and three secondary sources = D
   • Four primary sources and four secondary sources = C
   • Five primary sources and five secondary sources = B
   • Six or more primary sources and six or more secondary sources = A
6. Usually the more sources consulted, the EASIER the project will be to complete successfully. Note that EACH STUDENT must complete a separate annotated bibliography, with different entries than those of other group members.

Writing an Annotated Bibliography

Created by Sherri Whitham, Library Media Teacher and University High School, Los Angeles (04/13/07)

What is an annotated bibliography?

This is an organized list of sources (works cited) such as books, journals, newspapers, magazines, web pages, etc., each of which is followed by an annotation or description of the item. The description should describe the content of the item any how it was useful for your report.

Why write an annotated bibliography?

To demonstrate the quality of the research you have done, and to show what you have learned from these resources.

What does the annotated bibliography look like?

You write and arrange the bibliographic entries (citations) just as you would any other bibliography. For more information about formatting your bibliography, see the "Bibliography Guidelines Handout." The descriptions should be brief and include only the significant information.

Following are two examples of an MLA annotated entries:
Gregory, Hugh. A Century of Pop: A Hundred Years of Music that Changed the World. Chicago: Illinois, 1998.
I found most of my facts about Dixieland jazz music.

Kernfeld, Berry "Latin Jazz." Grove Music Online ed. 5 October 2003. Oxford University Press. University High Library, Los Angeles. 10 Apr 2007 <http://grovemusic.com>.
I learned how Latin jazz influenced big band music of the 1950s, and also how Latin jazz influenced the creation of Afro-Cuban Jazz. This source helped me to understand how various cultures/ethnicities affected jazz music.

Arranging Entries:

1. All margins should be 1 inch, and standard 12-point fonts should be used.
2. The first line begins at the margin. The next lines should be indented ½ inch. Double space each citation.
3. Arrange citations in alphabetical order by author's last name, or when no author is given, alphabetize by the first main word in the title.

Sample Annotated Bibliographies

PRIMARY SOURCES

1. "Cannonball Adderly." Contemporary Musicians, Volume 15. Gale Research, 1995.
   Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Thomson Gale. 2007.
   University High School, Los Angeles. 9 Sept 2007 <http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/BioRC>.
   I found the photograph of Cannonball Adderly playing the trumpet in Chicago, Illinois in 1958.
2. "Historical Jazz Locations." Atlas of African – American History. New Orleans: Bantam Press, 2001.
   This map shows locations for famous jazz halls in Chicago
3. Marseilles, Winton. Personal Interview. 6 October 2007.
   He told me about his experiences playing with Charlie Parker.
4. Monroe, Alice. "Duke Ellington: "The Cotton Club Years." American History Journal 26 (1940): 77-85.
   This magazine article was an interview with Duke Ellington in which he discusses his memories of playing at the Cotton Club.
5. Original Score from Porgy and Bess. CD-ROM. Pasadena: MCI Records, 1980.

It showed the last-minute changes the publisher made to the original score of the musical.

WORKS CITED FORMAT

Print Resources

Books

Author or Editor (Last Name, First Name). Title. Place of Publication: Publishing Company, Date.

Example:
Smith, John. History of Baseball. New York: Greenwood Publishing, Inc., 2004.

Encyclopedias and Reference Books

Author (if given) (Last Name, First Name). "Title of Article." Title of Encyclopedia. Place of Publication: Publishing Company, Date, Volume, pages.

Example:
Gorenstein, Paul. "Moon." The World Book Encyclopedia. Chicago: World Book, Inc., 2006. Vol. 13, 782-785.

Magazines

Author (if given) (Last Name, First Name). "Title of Article." Title of Magazine. Date (day month year), pages.

Example:
Frank, Michael. "The Wild, Wild West." Architectural Digest. June 2001: 180-185.

Newspapers

Author (if given) (Last Name, First Name). "Title of Article." Title of Newspaper. Date, section, page.

Example:
Tyler, Marshall. "200th Birthday of Grimms Fairy Tales Celebrated." Los Angeles Times. 15 Mar. 1985, sec. A: 3.

Electronic Publications

Internet Sites

Title of Site. Name of Editor (if given). Version number (if given).
Date of Electronic Publication/Latest Update. Name of Sponsoring Institution or Organization. Date found. <URL of Internet Site>.

Example:
The World Factbook. 15 Mar. 2007. CIA. 26 March 2007. <https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html>.

Resources from a Library Online Database

Online Subscription Encyclopedia Source

Author (if given) (Last Name, First Name). "Title of Article." Name of Database or Project. Date of Electronic Publication. Database Publisher. Name of Library Used, City of Library. Date found <URL of Database>.

Example:
"Memorial Day." Encyclopedia Britannica. 2007. Encyclopedia Britannica Online Edition. 2007. University High Library, Los Angeles. 15 June 2007 <http://www.eb.com/>.

Online Subscription Journal or Magazine

Author (Last Name, First Name). "Title of Article." Title of Magazine. Volume Number/Issue Number (if given). Date of Magazine: Page Numbers of Article (if given). Database Name. Database Publisher. Library Used, City of Library. Date found
<URL of Database>.

Example: Pendleton, Devon. "Gulf Goliath." Forbes Vol. 179. 26 Mar. 2007: 172-176. Ebscohost Mas Ultra School Edition. Ebsco. University High Library, Los Angeles. 28 Apr. 2007
<http://qaweb6.epnet.com/ehos>.

Internet resource for additional information on Works Cited/Bibliography formats

• Duke University Libraries Page for Citing Sources
• A Guide for Writing Research Papers Based on MLA Documentation:
• Citing Records from Archives (From National Archives of the United States)

Citing Archives

Example:
Kitch, James B., Superintendent, San Carlos Indian Agency, to Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, DC, May 15, 1925; 004 General Statistical Letters to the Indian Office; Central Classified Files, 1913-1952; San Carlos Indian Agency; Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75; National Archives and Records Administration—Pacific Region (Laguna Niguel).

• DOCUMENT – The letter, photograph, report, film clip
• FOLDER − Title of the folder
• SERIES − Name of the series, letters received, civil case files etc.
• COLLECTION − record book for instance
• REPOSITORY − I.e. National Archives in Laguna Niguel, CA

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