An annotated bibliography is type of expanded bibliography, a list of books, articles, films, and other works used in your research. The annotated bibliography adds descriptive and evaluative comments (i.e., an annotation), assessing the nature and value of the cited works. The addition of commentary provides the future reader or researcher essential critical information and a foundation for further research. It is also a way for you to keep track of the important content in each source so that you do not have to reread and reassess a source if you come back to it after a period of time. The annotated bibliography is a step on the way to your final academic essay.
The annotated bibliography for a literary topic includes 1) a citation and 2) an annotation, a summary and analysis, for each source that you use.
Sometimes an annotated bibliography will also include an introductory paragraph orienting your reader to your topic and what you have set out to do in your research.
