Annotated Bibliography: APA 7 Required Elements and Formatting

What is an Annotated Bibliography?

Annotated + Bibliography = Annotated Bibliography An annotation or to

annotate is when critical

or explanatory notes are

provided.

A bibliography is a

list of sources.

An annotated bibliography is a

reference list that includes a brief

summary and evaluation of each

source. The annotation (i.e.

summary and evaluation of a

source) is placed directly below

the reference entry of the source.

Elements of Annotated Bibliography

 APA Title Page

 Numbered pages (begin numbering with the title page)

 APA formatted reference list (begin on new page)

 Annotation(s) of source(s) included in the reference list

Format

 Place the annotation directly below the associated reference entry

 Double space entire annotation, including the reference entry. Do not place any additional

spaces in between entries.

 Indent the annotation by 0.5 in. (one tab key) from the left margin. If you have more than

one paragraph, indent the second and subsequent paragraphs an additional 0.5 inches.

 Arrange the entries in alphabetical order (unless otherwise instructed)

Components of an Annotation

 Provide a critical summary of the source listed in the reference entry.

 Length is generally five to seven sentences.

 Consider SEAR (Summarize, Evaluate, Assess, and Reflect) when writing your

annotation.

o Summarize the main idea of the source (two to four sentences).

o Evaluate and Assess the source for its credibility, objectivity, reliability, and

currency. Compare it to the other sources used in your bibliography (one to

two sentences).

o Reflect on the usefulness and relevancy of this source to your topic (one to

two sentences).

 You do not need to provide in-text citations for the work being annotated as the origin of

the source is listed directly above the annotation.

Sample APA 7 Style Annotations

Contact the Library:

www.keyano.ca/library | [email protected]

Example of an Evaluated Source in an Annotated Bibliography

Ehrenreich, B. (2001). Nickel and dimed: On (not) getting by in America. Henry Holt and

Company.

In this book of nonfiction based on the journalist's experiential research, Ehrenreich

attempts to ascertain whether it is currently possible for an individual to live on a

minimum wage in America. Taking jobs as a waitress, a maid in a cleaning service, and a

Walmart sales employee, the author summarizes and reflects on her work, her

relationships with fellow workers, and her financial struggles in each situation.

An experienced journalist, Ehrenreich is aware of the limitations of her

experiment and the ethical implications of her experiential research tactics and reflects on

these issues in the text. The author is forthcoming about her methods and supplements

her experiences with scholarly research on her places of employment, the economy, and

the rising cost of living in America. Ehrenreich’s project is timely, descriptive, and well-

researched.

Information and Examples Adapted From:

Academic Writer. (2020). Annotated bibliography. https://academicwriter.apa.org/

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological

Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.10370000165-000

Purdue Online Writing Lab. (2019). Annotated bibliography samples.

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/common_writing_assignments/annotated_bibliograph

ies/annotated_bibliography_samples.html

Rasmussen College. (2020, August 31). Creating an annotated bibliography. APA 7th Edition Guide.

https://guides.rasmussen.edu/apa/annotatedbib

First

paragraph is

a summary &

covers the

main points

of the source

Second

paragraph

evaluates the

source for its

strengths and

how the

information is

presented

What’s missing: There is no discussion on the relevancy or

usefulness of this source in relation to the writer’s topic.

Provide a full reference entry citation in APA 7 Style

Sample APA 7 Style Annotations

Contact the Library:

www.keyano.ca/library | [email protected]

Sample Title: Annotated Bibliography

Dishman, R. K., McIver, K. L., Dowda, M., Saunders, R. P., & Pate, R. R. (2019). Self-efficacy, beliefs,

and goals: Moderation of declining physical activity during adolescence. Health Psychology,

38(6), 483-493. https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0000734

This longitudinal study examined effects of self-efficacy on goals and beliefs about physical

activity environments from childhood through adolescence. An objective measure of physical

activity and self-reports of social–cognitive beliefs and physical activity goals were collected from

187 students in the fifth, sixth, seventh, ninth, and 11th grades. Results showed moderating effects

of self-efficacy to overcome barriers on links from perceived barriers and neighborhood

environment and students’ goals to changes in physical activity. Physical activity measured by an

accelerometer declined most in students with larger declines in self-efficacy. The influence of

changing goals on physical activity in youth may differ on the basis of youths’ internal beliefs

about overcoming barriers to physical activity and their perceptions of the external physical activity

environment.

Johnson, R. C., & Allen, T. D. (2013). Examining the links between employed mothers’ work

characteristics, physical activity, and child health. Journal of Applied Psychology, 98(1), 148-

157. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0030460

The authors tested a process model through which the strain-based (job control and role

ambiguity) and time-based (work hours) job demands of employed mothers relate to child health

via child modeling of mothers’ physical activity. Data that included 359 dyadic mother–child

reports from a multiwave, nationwide data set and job demands from the Occupational Information

Network supported the model. Mothers with more demanding jobs exercised less and had less

active children who were also in poorer health. Evidence of negative impacts of job variables on

mothers’ and children’s physical activity highlights interconnections between workplace factors

and important health outcomes for employees and their families.