Creating an Annotated Bibliography
As you know, a bibliography is a list of sources (books, journals, websites, periodicals, etc.) one has
researched on a topic. A bibliography usually just includes the bibliographic information (i.e., the
author, title, publisher, etc.). An annotation is a summary and assessment of the source. Therefore, an
annotated bibliography includes the bibliographic entry along with a summary and evaluation of
each of the sources.
******************
Your annotations should appear in paragraph form (2 short paragraphs per source) directly after the
bibliographical information (in correct MLA format) for each source. Each annotation must
contain the following elements:



Summary: Write a clear summary of the source. What is the point of this book, article, or
website? What topics are covered? What, if any, arguments are made in the source? If
someone asked what this article/book is about, what would you say? May or may not
include direct quotes.
Assessment/Evaluate: After summarizing a source, it is necessary to evaluate it. Is it a
useful source? Of what use might it be? How does it compare with other sources in your
bibliography? Is the information reliable? Is it this source biased or objective? What is the
goal of this source? (Think about audience, accuracy, citations/evidence of research within
the source, objective or emotional use of language within the source). May or may not
include direct quotes.
Reflection: Explain why you chose this source and how (where in your essay/project) you
plan to use it. May or may not include direct quotes.
********************
Writing an annotated bibliography is excellent preparation for a research project, and it can help you
gain a good perspective on what is being said about your topic. 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.







Guidelines:
Include a heading and a title: “(Your Topic): An Annotated Bibliography” 
Bibliographical entries follow the standard MLA format rules. 
Annotations follow each entry. Annotations should be single spaced with a double space
between the bibliographical entry and annotation and also between each source. 
Your annotations will be evaluated not only for content but also for style (including clarity,
organization, word choice, and grammar.) 
Student Name
Teacher Name
English 10
16 October 2016
Nathaniel Hawthorne: An Annotated Bibliography
Heath, William. “The Power of Passion: Hawthorne’s Tales of Thwarted Desire.” The Cortland
Review 3 (May 1998): 57-72. Print.
“The Power of Passion” focuses on Hawthorne’s ambivalence toward women and passion
in many if his writings. The article begins with interesting biographical information focusing
on Hawthorne’s “haunted years” and his drive to be successful. The message that “passion
must be avoided as if it is the plague” is explored in many of his texts leading up to The
Scarlet Letter. Through the article Heath ponders where Hawthorne’s perception of the
danger of the female and sexuality along with other “demons” of Hawthorne’s writings came
from. Heath’s exploration moves back and forth between the Victorian and Puritan ages and
their effects on Hawthorne’s psyche and writing. The article also focuses on Hawthorne’s
desire to avoid the curse of Victorian sentimentality. This lengthy article provides interesting
insights on Hawthorne’s own psyche. There is useful information that fleshes out
Hawthorne as a true human with his own inner demons. The article itself is well-written with
a provocative argument. Heath, a professor of American Literature and the author of a novel
and multiple articles, cites thirteen sources which indicates that it is an excellent, reliable
academic source. This article would be helpful when I describe how Hawthorne’s writing
matched his philosophical beliefs.