How to Write an Annotated Bibliography in MLA 9 Formatting
Transcript: It looks like you have to complete an annotated bibliography, but what is it? why is it important?, and how do you complete one?
In this video you’ll learn all about how to write an annotated bibliography in MLA 9 formatting.
First an annotated bibliography is basically your Works cited page or references with annotations or paragraphs. Those paragraphs are summaries and evaluations of each source. While The summaries describe the main point of a source, the evaluations explain their usefulness to your overall project.
Now you may be wondering, why can’t I just write my research paper? Why create an annotated bibliography?
While you may think it's just an extra assignment you’d rather skip, writing an annotated bibliography makes writing that long research paper easier.
For example, it forces you to get your research done by having you find, read, and understand important sources on your topic. By doing this, you spend time learning about the topic, which gives you more to say about it.
Also instead of randomly picking sources for your project, the process of writing an annotated bibliography allows you to filter out sources that are irrelevant, lack credibility, or just not a good fit for your paper.
Finally, You'll save time by getting the research done and planning how you'll use each source.
So lets say you have your sources, now HOW do you create an annotated bibliography?
Here’s an example of a completed annotated bibliography in MLA 9 formatting.
To annotate a source, first summarize the main point by showing what the author does in a source. Be precise by using vivid verbs For instance is an author questioning a strongly held belief? Is the author informing us about new data? Is the author illustrating how their theory can be applied? Or perhaps the author is warning, replying, describing or refuting ….. List of words. Ok You get the point, Be specific about the author’s main point and supporting details used to support that main point.
Next, you can add relevant details, but according to the MLA guidelines, the summary paragraph should be as concise as possible without providing Minor Details, quotes from the author, citations, or steps in an argument" be sure to follow your instructors guidelines if they want something different
After you summarize, evaluate and reflect on the source. This is where you can add your opinion and explain why and how a source is a good fit for your overall research project? (Puzzle)
Does it help you establish a problem? Or support your proposed solution? Basically what makes the source relevant to your research project? Again if there are specific questions your instructor wants you to address in this section please follow their instructions.
Congrats now you know how to write an annotated bibliography. Please like and subscribe for more content. Happy writing!
00:00 Start
00:17 What is an annotated bibliography?
00:37 Why create an annotated bibliography?
01:35 An example of an annotated bibliography in MLA 9 formatting
03:13 How to format your MLA 9 annotated bibliography
07:47 How to write the annotations: summary and evaluation
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