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How to Write an Annotated Bibliography: Evaluating your Annotations

This guide will explain what an annotated bibliography is and how to construct one.

Improving your Annotated Bibliography

Not sure how good your annotated bibliography is?

The chart below can help you determine how effective your annotated bibliography is in terms of the sources selected, the content of your annotations, and other factors. 

If your instructor has asked you to write critical, or evaluative, annotations, the grey row labeled Evaluations will be an important one to focus one. If, on the other hand, you have been asked to write annotations that are merely descriptive, you may not want to focus on the criteria described in the Evaluations row.

Remember that this is just an example of some of the criteria that instructors look for in annotated bibliographies; please pay particular attention to any instructions your professor has given.

 

  Excellent Good Acceptable Poor Very Poor
Source Selection Sources are highly relevant and, taken together, produce a very complete picture of the topic. Most sources are relevant although some small amount of additional research may be required. Some sources are relevant but additional sources may be needed to complete assignment. Few sources are relevant and substantial additional research will be required. Sources are NOT relevant to the topic and extensive additional research is required.
Credibility All sources are from credible, scholarly materials. Most sources are from credible, scholarly materials. Some sources are from credible, scholarly materials. Few sources are from credible, scholarly materials. NO sources are from credible, scholarly materials.
Annotations Annotations are succinct, comprehensive, and insightful. Most annotations are succinct and comprehensive and some offer insight into the subject. Some annotations may be too long or too short; they adequately describe content but lack insight. Few annotations adequately describe the content, are the right length or offer much insight into the subject. Most annotations do not adequately describe the content, are not the right length and provide NO insight.
Evaluations Evaluation clearly explains why sources are included and demonstrates good understanding of the research process. Most evaluations explain why the source was chosen and work demonstrates understanding of the research process. Some evaluations explain why the source was chosen and work demonstrates some understanding of the research process. Few evaluations explain why the source was chosen and work demonstrates little understanding of the research process. NO evaluations explain why the source was chosen and work demonstrates NO understanding of the research process.
Citations All sources are accompanied by citations that are complete and correct under the chosen style manual. Most sources are accompanied by citations that are complete and correct under the chosen style manual. Some sources are accompanied by citations that are complete and correct under the chosen style manual. Few sources are accompanied by citations that are complete and correct under the chosen style manual. Very few sources are accompanied by citations that are complete and correct under the chosen style manual.
Grammar & Proofreading Virtually free from grammatical, mechanical and spelling errors. Occasional minor errors exist but they do not detract from the mainly high quality of the work. Some significant errors are present although the overall meaning is still clear. Distracting errors are present although the meaning can still be understood. Errors are so distracting that the meaning of the work is unclear.