how to write annotated bibliography chicago style

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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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What is an annotated bibliography?

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How to Write an Annotation

Your professor may require specific information in your annotations.  Check your assignment instructions carefully for details.  Below are some items that may be required. 

Summarize : Some annotations just summarize the source.

• What are the main points?
• What is the reason for this book or article?
• What areas are covered?

Assess : After you summarize a source, it may be helpful to evaluate it.

• Is it this source biased or objective?
• Is the information reliable?
• How does it compare with other sources in your bibliography?

Reflect : Next, determine how the source fits into your research.

• Can you use information from this source and is it helpful?
• Does it support your argument or thesis statement?
• How can you use this source in your research project?
• Has it changed how you think about your topic?

Adapted from  Purdue OWL 

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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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Annotated Bibliography Samples

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This handout provides information about annotated bibliographies in MLA, APA, and CMS.

Below you will find sample annotations from annotated bibliographies, each with a different research project. Remember that the annotations you include in your own bibliography should reflect your research project and/or the guidelines of your assignment.

As mentioned elsewhere in this resource, depending on the purpose of your bibliography, some annotations may summarize, some may assess or evaluate a source, and some may reflect on the source’s possible uses for the project at hand. Some annotations may address all three of these steps. Consider the purpose of your annotated bibliography and/or your instructor’s directions when deciding how much information to include in your annotations.

Please keep in mind that all your text, including the write-up beneath the citation, must be indented so that the author's last name is the only text that is flush left.

Sample MLA Annotation

Lamott, Anne. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life . Anchor Books, 1995.

Lamott's book offers honest advice on the nature of a writing life, complete with its insecurities and failures. Taking a humorous approach to the realities of being a writer, the chapters in Lamott's book are wry and anecdotal and offer advice on everything from plot development to jealousy, from perfectionism to struggling with one's own internal critic.

In the process, Lamott includes writing exercises designed to be both productive and fun. Lamott offers sane advice for those struggling with the anxieties of writing, but her main project seems to be offering the reader a reality check regarding writing, publishing, and struggling with one's own imperfect humanity in the process. Rather than a practical handbook to producing and/or publishing, this text is indispensable because of its honest perspective, its down-to-earth humor, and its encouraging approach.

Chapters in this text could easily be included in the curriculum for a writing class. Several of the chapters in Part 1 address the writing process and would serve to generate discussion on students' own drafting and revising processes. Some of the writing exercises would also be appropriate for generating classroom writing exercises. Students should find Lamott's style both engaging and enjoyable.

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). Nickel and dimed: On (not) getting by in America . Henry Holt and Company.

In this book of nonfiction based on the journalist's experiential research, Ehrenreich attempts to ascertain whether it is currently possible for an individual to live on a minimum-wage in America. Taking jobs as a waitress, a maid in a cleaning service, and a Walmart sales employee, the author summarizes and reflects on her work, her relationships with fellow workers, and her financial struggles in each situation.

An experienced journalist, Ehrenreich is aware of the limitations of her experiment and the ethical implications of her experiential research tactics and reflects on these issues in the text. The author is forthcoming about her methods and supplements her experiences with scholarly research on her places of employment, the economy, and the rising cost of living in America. Ehrenreich’s project is timely, descriptive, and well-researched.

The annotation above both summarizes and assesses the book in the citation. The first paragraph provides a brief summary of the author's project in the book, covering the main points of the work. The second paragraph points out the project’s strengths and evaluates its methods and presentation. This particular annotation does not reflect on the source’s potential importance or usefulness for this person’s own research.

For information on formatting APA citations, see our APA Formatting and Style Guide .

Sample Chicago Manual of Style Annotation

Davidson, Hilda Ellis. Roles of the Northern Goddess . London: Routledge, 1998.

Davidson's book provides a thorough examination of the major roles filled by the numerous pagan goddesses of Northern Europe in everyday life, including their roles in hunting, agriculture, domestic arts like weaving, the household, and death. The author discusses relevant archaeological evidence, patterns of symbol and ritual, and previous research. The book includes a number of black and white photographs of relevant artifacts.

This annotation includes only one paragraph, a summary of the book. It provides a concise description of the project and the book's project and its major features.

For information on formatting Chicago Style citations, see our Chicago Manual of Style resources.

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Annotated Bibliography

Example of an entry in an annotated bibliography, annotated bibliographies: examples for apa, mla, & chicago styles, locating other examples of annotated bibliographies, for further instructions on writing an annotated bibliography, see:.

• Avoiding Plagiarism
• Grammar & Writing
• UCF Writing Center

An annotated bibliography is a list of sources on a certain topic with a brief description of each source.

Each entry in an annotated bibliography should include all the information normally included in a list of works cited. For instance, the citation for a book would include the title, author, publisher, place of publication, and year of publication. Use the appropriate bibliographic format for citations (such as MLA, APA, Turabian) as specified by your instructor.

The bibliographic information is followed by an annotation, which can be a few sentences or a lengthy paragraph that describes (or, in some cases, evaluates) the contents of the source. If you have questions about how detailed or evaluative the annotations should be, ask your instructor.

Here's an example of an entry from an annotated bibliography, with the citation of the book in Turabian 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.)

UCF's Rosen Library provides an annotated bibliography guide citing relevant sections of the style manuals and providing examples for APA, MLA and Chicago styles.

• Rosen Research Guides, Annotated Bibliographies This guide will help you learn to write annotated bibliographies and will provide you with practical examples in the most common citation styles.

Often it is helpful to look at examples of annotated bibliographies, and the UCF Libraries have many books containing them. To find annotated bibliographies in the collection, search the UCF Library Catalog  for the phrase "annotated bibliography", including the quotation marks around the phrase.

• On Compiling an Annotated Bibliography by Harner, James L. Call Number: General Collection Z 1001 .H33 2000 New York: Modern Language Association, 2000.
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Chicago Citation Guide (17th Edition): Sample Paper, Bibliography, & Annotated Bibliography

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General paper formatting guidelines, quick rules for a chicago bibliography.

What is an Annotated Bibliography?

Writing an Evaluative Annotation

Tips on Writing & Formatting an Annotated Bibliography

Sample Paper with Bibliography

• Chicago Sample Paper

This sample paper can be used as a template to set up your assignment. It includes a title page, main body paragraph with footnotes, and a bibliography.

Sample Paper with Appendix

• Chicago Sample Paper Template - with Appendix

If you are adding an appendix to your paper there are a few rules to follow that comply with Chicago guidelines:

• The Appendix appears before the Bibliography
• If you have more than one appendix you would name the first appendix Appendix A, the second Appendix B, etc.
• The appendices should appear in the order that the information is mentioned in your essay
• Each appendix begins on a new page

Sample Annotated Bibliography

This sample annotated bibliography shows you the structure you should use to write a Chicago style annotated bibliography and gives examples of evaluative and summary annotations.

It can be used as a template to set up your assignment.

• End-of-Paper Checklist

Finished your assignment? Use this checklist to be sure you haven't missed any information needed for Chicago style.

Useful Links for Annotated Bibliographies

Overview of purpose and form of annotated bibliographies from the Purdue OWL.

Includes a sample annotation from a Chicago Manual of Style annotated bibliography. From the Purdue OWL.

An example of an MLA annotated bibliography. From the Purdue OWL.

Assemble your paper in the following order:

• Body of paper
• Appendix (if needed)
• Bibliography

Use Times New Roman, Size 12 (unless otherwise instructed).

Margins and Indents

Your margins should be 1 inch on all sides.

Indent new paragraphs by one-half inch.

Double-space the main text of your paper.

Single-space the footnotes and bibliography, but add a blank line between entries.

Start numbering your pages on the  second  page of your paper (don't include the title page).

Put your page numbers in the header of the first page of text (skip the title page), beginning with page number 1. Continue numbering your pages to the end of the bibliography.

Place the footnote number at the end of the sentence in which you have quoted or paraphrased information from another source. The footnote number should be in superscript, and be placed  after  any punctuation.

Put your footnotes in the footer section of the page.

Your research paper ends with a list of all the sources cited in the text of the paper. This is called a bibliography.

See an example in the "Sample Paper with Bibliography" box on this page.

Here are nine quick rules for this list:

• Start a new page for your bibliography (e.g. If your paper is 4 pages long, start your bibliography on page 5).
• Centre the title, Bibliography, at the top of the page and do not bold or underline it. Look for the alignment option in Word. 
• Leave two blank lines between the title and the first entry on your list.
• Single-space the list, but leave one blank line between entries.
• Start the first line of each citation at the left margin; each subsequent line should be indented (also known as a "hanging indent").
• Put your list in alphabetical order. Alphabetize the list by the first word in the citation. In most cases, the first word will be the author’s last name. Where the author is unknown, alphabetize by the first word in the title, ignoring the words a, an, the.
• For each author, give the last name followed by a comma and the first name followed by a period.
• Italicize the titles of full works , such as: books, videos (films and television shows), artwork, images, maps, journals, newspapers, magazines.
• Do not italicize titles of parts of works , such as: articles from newspapers, magazines, or journals / essays, poems, short stories or chapter titles from a book / chapters or sections of an Internet document. Instead, use quotation marks.

What Is An Annotated Bibliography?

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.

• 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. 

Remember: Annotations are original descriptions that you create after reading the document. When researching, you may find journal articles that provide a short summary at the beginning of the text. This article abstract is similar to a summary annotation. You may consult the abstract when creating your evaluative annotation, but never simply copy it as that would be considered plagiarism. 

Tips on Writing & Formatting an Annotated Bibliography

• Each annotation should be one paragraph, between three to six sentences long (about 150- 200 words).
• Start with the same format as a regular Bibliography 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)
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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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Chicago Style Citation Guide | Templates & Citation Examples

Notes and bibliography is the most common type of Chicago style citation, and the main focus of this article. It is widely used in the humanities. Citations are placed in footnotes or endnotes , with a Chicago style bibliography listing your sources in full at the end.

Author-date style is mainly used in the sciences. It uses parenthetical in-text citations , always accompanied by a reference list at the end.

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Table of contents, citing sources with notes (notes and bibliography), chicago note citation examples (notes and bibliography), creating a chicago style bibliography (notes and bibliography), chicago author-date style, frequently asked questions about chicago style citation.

To cite sources in Chicago notes and bibliography style, place a superscript number at the end of a sentence or clause, after the punctuation mark, corresponding to a numbered footnote or endnote .

Footnotes appear at the bottom of each page, while endnotes appear at the end of the text. Choose one or the other and use it consistently.

Most word-processing programs can automatically link your superscript numbers and notes.

Full notes vs. short notes

Citations can take the form of full notes or short notes. Full notes provide complete source information, while short notes include only the author’s last name, the source title, and the page number(s) of the cited passage. The usual rule is to use a full note for the first citation of each source, and a short note for subsequent citations of the same source.

Guidelines can vary across fields, though; sometimes you might be required to use full notes every time, or conversely to use short notes every time, as long as all your sources are listed in the bibliography. It’s best to check with your instructor if you’re unsure which rule to follow.

Multiple authors in Chicago notes

When a source has multiple authors, list up to three in your note citations. When there are four or more, use “ et al. ” (Latin for “and others”).

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A Chicago footnote or endnote citation always contains the author’s name and the title of the source. The other elements vary by the type of source you’re citing.

Page number(s) should be included if you are referring to a specific part of the text. The elements of the citation are separated by commas , and the note always ends with a period. The page range is separated by an en dash .

Navigate through the Chicago citation examples using the tabs below.

• Book chapter
• Journal article

When citing a book , if an edition is specified, include it in abbreviated form (e.g., 2nd ed.). If the book was accessed online, add a URL.

When citing a chapter from a multi-authored book, start with details of the chapter, followed by details of the book.

To cite a journal article , you need to specify the volume and issue as well as the date. It’s best to use a DOI instead of a URL.

Web pages often have no author or date specified. If the author is unknown, start with the title in a full note, and use the website name as author in a short note. If the publication date is unknown, include the date you accessed the information (e.g., accessed on March 12, 2022).

The bibliography lists full references for all your sources. It appears at the end of your paper (before any appendices ).

Author names are inverted in the bibliography, and sources are alphabetized by author last name. Each source is listed on a new line, with a hanging indent applied to sources that run over onto multiple lines.

If a source has multiple authors, list up to 10 in the bibliography. If there are 11 or more, list the first seven followed by “et al.”

When to include a bibliography

It is not mandatory to include a bibliography if you have cited your sources with full notes. However, it is recommended to include one in most cases, with the exception of very short texts with few sources.

Check with your instructor if you’re not sure whether to include one.

Chicago style bibliography examples (notes and bibliography)

Bibliography entries vary in format according to source type. Formats and examples for some common source types are shown below.

In the (social) sciences, you may be told to use author-date style instead. In this style, citations appear in parentheses in the text.

Unlike note citations, author-date citations look the same for all source types .

Reference list

Author-date citations are always accompanied by a reference list. The reference list is similar to a bibliography: It appears at the end of your text and lists all your sources in full.

The only difference is that the publication year comes straight after the author name, to match with the in-text citations. For example, the book reference from above looks like this in author-date style.

Chicago Author-Date Quick Guide

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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.”

Page numbers should be included in your Chicago in-text citations when:

• You’re quoting from the text.
• You’re paraphrasing a particular passage.
• You’re referring to information from a specific section.

When you’re referring to the overall argument or general content of a source, it’s unnecessary to include page numbers.

In Chicago notes and bibliography style , the usual standard is to use a full note for the first citation of each source, and short notes for any subsequent citations of the same source.

However, your institution’s guidelines may differ from the standard rule. In some fields, you’re required to use a full note every time, whereas in some other fields you can use short notes every time, as long as all sources are listed in your bibliography . If you’re not sure, check with your instructor.

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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Chicago Style Annotated Bibliography: Format + Example

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Chicago style annotated bibliography looks like a standard bibliography page. The main difference is that a student should create an annotation for each entry in the list accompanied by an expanded summary.

In this article we will talk about how to format your Chicago style annotated bibliography. We will also provide you with a layout and examples to help you get started. After reading the article, you will be able to format this section like a professional  annotated bibliography writer . 

How to Do an Annotated Bibliography

Chicago style annotated bibliography is designed to share your knowledge of a cited source with a reader. When you refer to a specific source of information, you are familiar with the author and his background. We can admit there are two ways of creating an annotation: using a  descriptive  and an  evaluative  approach. Let’s see how we make it using Chicago style format . By using a  descriptive approach  to your paper’s sources, you should sum up what your source is about and which significance it has. This information helps your reader understand the context you put this source in. Also, you can add some data about publication and the author. While writing in an  evaluative approach , you should bring in personal opinion regarding your source. Your feedback is subjective and should show more precisely, which place this source takes in your paper and why you refer to it. Mention general background information if needed.  

How Long Should an Annotated Bibliography Be

As you have more than 1 option in creating your bibliography, its length can be different. Descriptive approach supposes writing quite brief and informative background, which can be about 50-100 words in length. Evaluative approach gives you more room for expressing personal opinion. It may cause an enhanced word count. Usually, such pieces consist of 150-200 words. If you  buy dissertation from StudyCrumb, the annotated bibliography could be included in the final document. General recommendation is using about 150 words. But the main point is to provide as much useful information regarding a cited source as possible. Remember that you need to stay concise and pick only important data or/and opinion.  

Chicago Style Annotated Bibliography Format

As for Chicago style annotated bibliography formatting, follow basic style’s guidelines. Each entry should be like in a standard style’s bibliography. Let’s remind how we should format it:  

• Single-space source text
• Provide sources in alphabetical order
• Use hanging indent

Each entry should be comprised of the following elements in the corresponding order (all divided by periods):

• Author’s full name
• Source title
• Date published

As for your description or evaluation, follow these rules:

• Double-space your text
• Align it to the left side
• Indent paragraph to 0.5 inch.

In conclusion, consider recruiting a  thesis writer if you need any practical help with your magnum opus.

Annotated Bibliography Example: Chicago Style

What does a Chicago style annotated bibliography look like? Here’s an example:  

Emma Flores knows all about formatting standards. She shares with StudyCrumb readers tips on creating academic papers that will meet high-quality standards.

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How to Write an Annotated Bibliography Chicago Style: A Comprehensive Guide

Producing a comprehensive and structured annotated bibliography is crucial for academic and research endeavors. The Chicago Style, renowned for its clarity and precision, can help elevate the quality of your work, giving it that polished professional touch.

But what exactly is an annotated bibliography? Essentially, it’s a meticulously organized list of citations, where each citation is paired with a brief evaluation or summary. This provides a snapshot of the source’s content and its relevance and contribution to your research.

But why choose the Chicago Style? The reason is twofold. Firstly, adhering to this established format means your work aligns with a widely accepted academic standard. This not only ensures consistency but also lends additional credibility to your work.

Secondly, it ensures clarity and ease of comprehension for your readers. Familiar formatting can distinguish between a reader engaging with your work and being deterred. And, let’s be honest, using a recognized style like Chicago might also earn you some brownie points with discerning professors and peers!

If you ever find yourself overwhelmed, you can ask professionals to write an annotated bibliography with help of some of the best authors from domyessay , who are offering professional guidance and expertise.

Chicago Style Format

The Chicago Style format, recognized globally, is indispensable for scholars and researchers. Esteemed for its rigor and clarity, this citation system sets the benchmark for how information is credited in academic circles.

Since its inception, the Chicago Style has maintained a dual approach, focusing primarily on two styles: The Notes and Bibliography (NB) and the Author-Date system. Each serves a unique purpose and is tailored to meet different academic specifications.

It’s noteworthy to mention the precision with which the Chicago Style addresses various source types. For books, it requires an exhaustive citation with complete bibliographic details. In contrast, articles are treated differently. Along with fundamental details, a DOI or URL is mandated, ensuring a direct link to the source.

As the academic world continually evolves, the importance of proper citation becomes even more evident. A meticulous adherence to the Chicago Style enhances a researcher’s credibility and ensures the integrity of their work. Given its widespread acceptance, a solid grasp of this format is a valuable asset for any academic or researcher.

Writing Annotations in Chicago Style

In academic writing, annotations are pivotal in guiding readers through the vast research ocean. The Chicago Style stands out among various formatting styles due to its precision and clarity.

Perfecting the art of writing an annotated bibliography in Chicago Style can significantly elevate the quality of a research paper , thesis, or dissertation. When executed correctly, a Chicago Style annotation provides readers with a concise, yet comprehensive, glimpse into the essence of the cited work.

An annotation in Chicago style isn’t merely a summary. It is a brief yet potent, evaluative section that sheds light on the cited work’s relevance to the broader research theme, inherent quality, and potential applicability. The idea is to give readers enough information to gauge the source’s importance without overwhelming them with excessive detail.

Crafting the Ideal Annotation: When penning annotations, it’s imperative for researchers to strike the right balance. While brevity is critical, it shouldn’t come at the expense of the annotation’s informative nature.

The goal is to distill the essence of the cited works, emphasizing their alignment with the broader research theme and spotlighting their unique contributions. As a best practice, avoid wandering into tangential details.

Instead, focus on the central themes, methodologies employed, findings, and the potential implications of the work. This approach not only enhances the readability of the bibliography but also serves as a valuable tool for fellow researchers navigating the field.

Annotated Bibliography Examples in Chicago Style

Using the correct annotation for your references not only lends credibility to your work, but it also helps readers understand your sources better. In Chicago Style, your annotations can vary based on the source type.

Typically, you’ll write a concise paragraph for books that offers a critical and analytical evaluation of the chosen work. Besides summarizing the main arguments for journal articles, you also note the article’s approach, the research methodology , and any noticeable bias. The brief yet informative description aids readers in evaluating the relevance of the source to their research.

Tips for Creating an Effective Annotated Bibliography

In academia, creating a well-organized annotated bibliography can significantly enhance the quality of your research. It’s an effective tool that serves as a guide for your readers and your reference.

Effective organization of your sources can make navigating your annotated bibliography less cumbersome. Always arrange your sources alphabetically, starting with the author’s last name.

An essential aspect of crafting an exceptional annotated bibliography is choosing relevant sources. Start by identifying sources that align with your research topic, then evaluate their credibility, relevance and validity. This will ensure that your annotated bibliography provides valuable input to your research.

Common Challenges and Pitfalls

In executing Chicago style annotated bibliographies, students often face specific hurdles.

Avoiding plagiarism and maintaining academic integrity.

Plagiarism – the ultimate pitfall: Avoiding plagiarism and upholding academic integrity is crucial. One way is through proper citation and acknowledgment of all sources.

Fickle findings: Sometimes, sources may have conflicting information. Navigating through these without deviating from the truth requires skill and patience. Creating an annotated bibliography, Chicago style involves paying keen attention to details and being committed to utmost honesty.

Formatting Your Annotated Bibliography

A perfectly formatted annotated bibliography speaks volumes about your attention to detail and professionalism. It’s a crucial part of your submitted work in academic circles.

Decorating their work with the brilliance of academic integrity, they accommodate the Chicago style formatting on their title page. All elements, such as margin alignments, fonts, and line spacings, strictly comply with the Chicago Manual of Style norms.

Structuring an annotated bibliography in Chicago style includes closely following citation guidelines for all sources and an informative annotation. They must comply with the specific citation rules and ensure their annotations succinctly summarize the source’s content and relevance to their research.

Wrapping up this comprehensive guide on creating an annotated bibliography in the Chicago Style, it’s evident that it requires an insightful blend of precision and detail. Understanding the guidelines: It’s important to understand the guidelines that define the Chicago Style.

Accurate citation: Ensuring each source is thoroughly and accurately cited is mandatory. The annotation: The icing on the cake is composing a succinct, informative commentary on each source completes the task. Now, you’ve got all the tools you need to accomplish this!

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Citing sources in other styles

MLA and APA are the most common citation styles, but there are many others. Below are brief descriptions and links to helpful guides to a few styles that you may see or use in some of your classes.

Chicago style

Chicago style is most commonly used in history and the sciences. It includes two systems for documenting sources: the Notes-Bibliography system and the Author-Date system.

• The Notes-Bibliography system uses footnotes or endnotes after the cited material in the text, which then list the citation and any commentary either at the bottom of the page or at the end of the publication. The NB system is preferred in historical research.
• The Author-Date system uses parenthetical citations, where abbreviated citation information, such as the author, date of publication, and page range directly follows the referenced material.

 A reference list is then found at the end of the document to provide the full citation for anything referenced in text. This system is preferred in the sciences.

Details about how to use Chicago style can be found in the Chicago-Style Citation Quick Guide , The Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition) , or Purdue’s Online Writing Lab (OWL). The University Libraries History Guide also has information on Chicago style.

Associated Press (AP) style

AP style is used for writing in journalism. Sources are typically cited within the story or narrative, instead of in an official bibliography or footnotes, so there is no one format used to cite information. Details about writing in AP style can be found at the AP Stylebook Online . The Stylebook contains information about how to write about a variety of topics, and also includes guidelines for grammatical questions, like abbreviations or punctuation.

American Medical Association (AMA) style

The American Medical Association has its own manual of style, used in its publication, The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Citations consist of both an in-text reference using a superscript and a reference page at the end for full citation information. You can cite multiple sources at one time. For details on this citation and writing style, consult the AMA Manual of Style online or the Purdue Online Writing Lab AMA page .

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers has set guidelines for writing within the fields of engineering, computer science, and similar technological fields. Citations consist of an in-text reference, usually a number surrounded by brackets, e.g., [1], that correspond to a reference page at the end of the paper. More details can be found at the Purdue Online Writing Lab IEEE page , including the general format for an IEEE paper as a whole and information on formatting tables, figures, and equations.

Council of Science Editors (CSE)

The Council of Science Editors has set guidelines for writing within the life sciences, including biology, biochemistry, environmental science, neuroscience, and agriculture. There are three main styles.

• The Citation-Name system uses numbers as an in-text citation, either as a superscript, in parentheses, or in brackets, after the content being referenced. These numbers correspond to a reference list at the end of the document. The reference list is organized alphabetically by the name of the author.
• The Citation-Sequence system also uses numbers as an in-text citation, like the Citation-Name system. The only difference between the two is that the reference list is organized numerically. The references are listed sequentially, by the order they are used in the document.
• The Name-Year system uses parenthetical in-text citations that reference the author’s name and the year of publication, with an alphabetical reference list at the end of the document.

More information about the three CSE styles can be found at this guide from the University of Wisconsin-Madison .

• ENC Learning Commons

Annotated Bibliography

• Sample ASA Annotation
• URL: https://libguides.enc.edu/writing_basics/annotatedbib
• Definition and Descriptions
• Evaluation Tools
• Parts of an Annotation
• Sample APA Annotation
• Sample Chicago Annotation
• Sample MLA Annotation

Research Tools

American Sociological Association (ASA) Annotations

Creating an annotated bibliography in ASA style

The Publication Manual of the American Sociological Association is kept behind the IRC Desk on the Ground Floor.  

General guidelines

Some anno tatio ns are merely descriptive , summarizing the authors' qualifications, research methods, and arguments.  Your professor might also ask you to identify the authors' theoretical frameworks .

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.  Some instructors require you to identify the authors' theoretical models as well.

Sample Page: ASA-formatted annotated bibliography

Rules! rules! rules!

The Publication Manual of the American Sociological Association (1997) states the following formatting rules, but check your course outline in case your professor has other requirements!

• All text should be double-spaced.
• 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 1/4 inch margins on each page.
• Use 12 point Times Roman font, or a similar serif font.
• Start counting pages on the first page of text, but numbers should only appear from the second page onward (as 2, etc.). 
• Each paragraph should be indented.
• The reference list is alphabetical by authors' last names.
• When a work has more than one author, the name of the first author is inverted (Lastname, Firstname).  The names of additional authors are not inverted. 

More Sample Annotations

The Memorial University of Newfoundland presents these examples of both descriptive and critical annotations . Cornell University Library offers these examples of both APA and MLA format descriptive bibliographies.

• << Previous: Sample APA Annotation
• Next: Sample Chicago Annotation >>
• Last Updated: Nov 7, 2023 8:23 AM

How to Write an Annotated Bibliography - APA Style (7th Edition)

What is an annotation, how is an annotation different from an abstract, what is an annotated bibliography, types of annotated bibliographies, descriptive or informative, analytical or critical, to get started.

An annotation is more than just a brief summary of an article, book, website, or other type of publication. An annotation should give enough information to make a reader decide whether to read the complete work. In other words, if the reader were exploring the same topic as you, is this material useful and if so, why?

While an abstract also summarizes an article, book, website, or other type of publication, it is purely descriptive. Although annotations can be descriptive, they also include distinctive features about an item. Annotations can be evaluative and critical as we will see when we look at the two major types of annotations.

An annotated bibliography is an organized list of sources (like a reference list). It differs from a straightforward bibliography in that each reference is followed by a paragraph length annotation, usually 100–200 words in length.

Depending on the assignment, an annotated bibliography might have different purposes:

• Provide a literature review on a particular subject
• Help to formulate a thesis on a subject
• Demonstrate the research you have performed on a particular subject
• Provide examples of major sources of information available on a topic
• Describe items that other researchers may find of interest on a topic

There are two major types of annotated bibliographies:

A descriptive or informative annotated bibliography describes or summarizes a source as does an abstract; it describes why the source is useful for researching a particular topic or question and its distinctive features. In addition, it describes the author's main arguments and conclusions without evaluating what the author says or concludes.

For example:

McKinnon, A. (2019). Lessons learned in year one of business.  Journal of Legal Nurse Consulting ,  30 (4), 26–28. This article describes some of the difficulties many nurses experience when transitioning from nursing to a legal nurse consulting business. Pointing out issues of work-life balance, as well as the differences of working for someone else versus working for yourself, the author offers their personal experience as a learning tool. The process of becoming an entrepreneur is not often discussed in relation to nursing, and rarely delves into only the first year of starting a new business. Time management, maintaining an existing job, decision-making, and knowing yourself in order to market yourself are discussed with some detail. The author goes on to describe how important both the nursing professional community will be to a new business, and the importance of mentorship as both the mentee and mentor in individual success that can be found through professional connections. The article’s focus on practical advice for nurses seeking to start their own business does not detract from the advice about universal struggles of entrepreneurship makes this an article of interest to a wide-ranging audience.

An analytical or critical annotation not only summarizes the material, it analyzes what is being said. It examines the strengths and weaknesses of what is presented as well as describing the applicability of the author's conclusions to the research being conducted.

Analytical or critical annotations will most likely be required when writing for a college-level course.

McKinnon, A. (2019). Lessons learned in year one of business.  Journal of Legal Nurse Consulting ,  30 (4), 26–28. This article describes some of the difficulty many nurses experience when transitioning from nursing to a nurse consulting business. While the article focuses on issues of work-life balance, the differences of working for someone else versus working for yourself, marketing, and other business issues the author’s offer of only their personal experience is brief with few or no alternative solutions provided. There is no mention throughout the article of making use of other research about starting a new business and being successful. While relying on the anecdotal advice for their list of issues, the author does reference other business resources such as the Small Business Administration to help with business planning and professional organizations that can help with mentorships. The article is a good resource for those wanting to start their own legal nurse consulting business, a good first advice article even. However, entrepreneurs should also use more business research studies focused on starting a new business, with strategies against known or expected pitfalls and issues new businesses face, and for help on topics the author did not touch in this abbreviated list of lessons learned.

Now you are ready to begin writing your own annotated bibliography.

• Choose your sources - Before writing your annotated bibliography, you must choose your sources. This involves doing research much like for any other project. Locate records to materials that may apply to your topic.
• Review the items - Then review the actual items and choose those that provide a wide variety of perspectives on your topic. Article abstracts are helpful in this process.
• The purpose of the work
• A summary of its content
• Information about the author(s)
• For what type of audience the work is written
• Its relevance to the topic
• Any special or unique features about the material
• Research methodology
• The strengths, weaknesses or biases in the material

Annotated bibliographies may be arranged alphabetically or chronologically, check with your instructor to see what he or she prefers.

Please see the  APA Examples page  for more information on citing in APA style.

• Last Updated: Aug 8, 2023 11:27 AM
• URL: https://libguides.umgc.edu/annotated-bibliography-apa