Annotated Bibliography Apa

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Annotated Bibliography APA Format: Get Started With The Perfect Guide!

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What Is An Annotated Bibliography?

An annotated bibliography is a list of sources—such as books, journal articles, and websites—that includes a brief summary and evaluation of each source. It’s not just a regular bibliography or list of references; instead, it provides a closer look at each source to show how it supports your research topic or argument.

The annotation should provide enough information for readers to determine if the source is relevant to the research. You can write an annotated bibliography on any academic topic or subject.

Expert Tip

Here is a list of potential annotated bibliography topics for your assistance!

Components Of An Annotated Bibliography APA 7th Edition

There are two major components of an annotated bibliography: the citation and the annotation.

The Citation

This part follows the rules of APA 7th style to format a reference list entry. Examples include books, articles, websites, etc.

The Annotation

This is the descriptive and/or evaluative part. Here you can provide readers with more information about the sources used in your research.

Here is an Annotated Bibliography APA 7 Example:

Annotated Bibliography

Bridges, G. S., Crutchfield, R. D., & Simpson, E. E. (1987). Crime, social structure and criminal punishment: White and Nonwhite rates of imprisonment. Social Problems, 34(4), 345-361. https://doi.org/10.2307/800812

Bridges et al. explore what aspects of crime, social structure, and the criminal justice system might explain differential rates of incarceration between whites and nonwhites. For measures of social structure, they calculated for each county in Washington state the level of economic inequality between whites and nonwhites, the degree of urbanization, and the percentage population of nonwhites. Likewise, they used data on county crime and arrest rates, as well as the workload of county courts, to measure the effect of crime and the criminal justice system respectively. These data were supplemented by interviews with law enforcement officials, judges, and public leaders.

The authors found that, although statistically significant, violent crime and arrest rates had limited influences on differential rates of imprisonment. However, the percentage of non-white population and urbanization had a significant and direct impact. Increasing minority population percentages strongly correlated with increasing nonwhite imprisonment rates whereas they had no effect on the white rate. In addition, the nonwhite imprisonment rate increased as county urbanization increased, while the white rate actually declined slightly.

The workload of the county courts did not appear to contribute to racial disparities. In conclusion, Bridges et al assert that as minority populations increase, especially in urban areas where minorities tend to be segregated and where crime is more intense, there may be a heightened sense that minorities represent a threat to a community order. In response to this perceived threat, law enforcement officials adopt informal strategies for controlling crime that have racially disparate impacts.

How To Write An Annotated Bibliography APA 7th Edition?

Writing an annotated bibliography APA 7th Edition can be a challenging task. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Choose Reliable Sources

Select sources that have been approved by experts in the field. For instance, peer-reviewed journal articles or books published by reputable publishers.

Look for Key Information

Aim to identify the author’s credentials, publication date, the title of the source, and other relevant details about the materials.

Write a Brief Summary

Annotated bibliographies should provide a summary of the work, including the main argument and any relevant evidence.

Include Your Own Analysis

Your annotation should include an evaluation of the source. It requires you to share your opinion on how useful it is for your research project.

Use APA 7th Style in the Citation

Make sure to follow the correct formatting style for your annotated bibliography, such as APA 7th Edition.

APA Annotated Bibliography Formatting Guidelines

When formatting an annotated bibliography APA 7th Edition, there are certain guidelines that should be followed. Here is a brief overview of the key elements:

Start by formatting your list the same way you would for a standard References list.
Set your page margins to one inch on every side.
Title the page “Annotated Bibliography,” centered and in bold font.
Align all references to the left margin. If any reference continues to a second line, apply ½ inch hanging indent to any additional lines.
Following each citation, the annotation should begin on the next line, indented as a block ½ inch from the left margin.
Each annotation should be a single paragraph, between three and six sentences long, approximately 150-200 words.
Double-space all content on the page. Avoid adding extra space between the references.
Begin each annotation immediately after the citation.
Use a ½ inch indent for annotations from the left margin.
Place a page number at the top right corner of each page, and for professional documents, include a running head.
Write the annotations in the third person, using "he," "she," or "the author," instead of first-person pronouns.
Arrange references alphabetically according to the first word in each entry.

Follow these guidelines to ensure that your annotated bibliography is correctly formatted according to APA 7:

Annotated Bibliography APA Example PDF

Examples Of Annotated Bibliography APA

The best way to understand any citation style is by studying examples. This is especially true for APA, as it is one of the most commonly used styles in academic settings. The basic structure of the APA citation is relatively easy to learn and remember.

Read on to find some sample annotations written in APA style.

Annotated Bibliography APA Sample

Here is an APA 7th edition annotated bibliography example PDF. Take a careful look to learn about formatting your annotated bibliography accurately.

Sample Annotated Bibliography APA 7th Edition PDF

Annotated Bibliography APA 7th Edition Template

This template can help to make sure that you successfully format your citations, summaries, and evaluations of sources.

It provides guidance on the basics of how to create an APA-formatted bibliography.

Annotated Bibliography APA Template PDF

Expert Tip

Head out to our blog about annotated bibliography examples if you need additional examples as well.

Title Page For Annotated Bibliography APA

Most academic assignments, including annotated bibliographies, begin with a title page. A title page is meant to introduce the assignment and provide a brief overview of the content and its author.

The American Psychological Association also provides guidelines for formatting a title page.

The following is an example of an annotated bibliography APA cover page/title page:

Title Page For Annotated Bibliography APA

To wrap up, it is important to remember that an annotated bibliography APA has its own set of formatting rules. Strict adherence to these principles is essential for creating a professional document that is correctly cited.

By following the examples provided in this blog, you can create an accurate and well-written annotated bibliography.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the major purpose of an annotated bibliography?

An annotated bibliography can serve various purposes depending on the requirements of the assignment, such as:

Offering an overview of the literature on a specific topic.
Assisting in the development of a thesis or main argument on a topic.
Showcasing the research you've conducted on a given subject.
Presenting key sources of information available on the topic.
Highlighting resources that may be useful or interesting for other researchers in the field.

How is an annotation different from an abstract?

Although an abstract summarizes the content of an article, book, or other publication, it is strictly descriptive. Annotations, on the other hand, can offer a description but also highlight unique aspects of a source. They often go a step further by providing evaluation and critical analysis.

What are the different types of annotated bibliographies?

Annotated bibliographies typically come in two main types:

Descriptive or Informative: This type of annotation provides a summary of the source's main points without offering critique. It gives an overview of the content, purpose, and key arguments or findings.
Example: "This article explores the effects of climate change on marine biodiversity, detailing how rising temperatures affect species migration."
Analytical or Critical: This type of annotation not only summarizes the source but also evaluates its strengths, weaknesses, and relevance to the research topic.
Example: "This study on climate change and marine biodiversity offers valuable data on species migration patterns but lacks comprehensive analysis on long-term ecosystem impacts."

What are the 3 parts of an annotated bibliography APA?

An APA-style annotated bibliography typically includes three main components:

Summary: This part gives a brief overview of the source’s main ideas, arguments, and findings.
Assessment and Evaluation: Here, you assess the credibility of the source, consider its strengths and weaknesses, and discuss its relevance to your research.
Reflection: In this section, you reflect on how the source fits into your research goals or influences your understanding of the topic.

Each part helps you engage with the source in a meaningful way, offering a well-rounded view of its contribution to your work.

How long should an APA annotated bibliography be?

The length of an APA annotated bibliography depends on the number of sources and the amount of detail each annotation includes. Generally, the annotations should be around 100-300 words for each source.

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