Writing an Annotated Bibliography in Chicago Style

Creating an annotated bibliography might seem challenging, but it can be straightforward with the right guidance.

In this blog, we'll walk you through the basics of compiling an annotated bibliography in Chicago style, offering simple tips and clear examples. Whether you're a student, researcher, or academic, you'll find useful advice to help you organize your sources effectively.

Let's make your research process easier and more efficient!

What to Include in an Annotation 

According to Chicago and Turabian Style, an annotation should provide the following information about the source:

• Main argument or purpose of the source
• Scope and content of the source
• Credibility and authority of the author and publisher of the source
• The relevance and usefulness of the source for your research topic
• Any strengths, weaknesses, biases, or gaps in the source
• Any comparisons or contrasts with other sources on the same topic

Depending on the length and purpose of your annotated bibliography, you may write a descriptive annotation, an evaluative annotation, or a combination of both. A descriptive annotation simply summarizes the source, while an evaluative annotation provides your own opinion and analysis of the source.

How to Format an Annotated Bibliography

An annotated bibliography in Chicago style should follow the same rules as a regular bibliography, with some additional formatting for the annotations. 

Here are some general guidelines:

• Arrange the sources in alphabetical order by the author’s last name. If there is no author, use the title of the source.
• Use a hanging indent for each entry, meaning that the first line of the entry is flush left and the subsequent lines are indented.
• Single-space each reference entry and add a blank line between entries.
• Write the annotation below the citation, indented and double-spaced.
• Start the annotation with a new paragraph and indent the first line of each paragraph an additional time.
• Use the same font and size as the rest of the paper.

Here is an example of a Chicago Style annotated bibliography entry:

Tips for Writing an Annotated Bibliography

Writing an annotated bibliography can be a challenging task, but it can also help you improve your research skills and critical thinking. 

Here are some tips to help you write an effective and informative annotated bibliography:

Research Early

Start your research early and keep track of the sources you find. Use a citation manager or a spreadsheet to organize your sources and avoid duplication.

Relevant Sources

Choose sources that are relevant, reliable, and recent. Use a variety of sources, such as books, articles, websites, and multimedia, to cover different aspects of your topic.

Identify Main Point

Read each source carefully and take notes of the main points, arguments, and evidence. Identify the author’s thesis, purpose, and perspective, and evaluate the source’s strengths and weaknesses.

Use Your Own Words

Write the annotation in your own words, using direct quotes sparingly. Summarize the source briefly and concisely, and avoid unnecessary details. Include your evaluation and analysis of the source, and explain how it relates to your research question and thesis.

Review Your Work 

Review your annotated bibliography and check for accuracy, consistency, and completeness. Make sure that the citations follow the Chicago style guidelines and that the annotations are clear, coherent, and concise.

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