Bibliography vs Annotated Bibliography
When creating academic documents and essays, it is essential to know the difference between a bibliography and an annotated bibliography to properly provide information about the references used. These documents require extensive reference material and support documents to help prove the points discussed within, which are typically found through thorough research. Academic research documents also require a list of references to be attached to the primary document, usually found at the end of an essay, and this list is referred to as a bibliography. This article will discuss the difference between a bibliography and an annotated bibliography.
What is a Bibliography?
A bibliography is a list of sources found at the end of an academic text that provides information about the sources used, cited, or consulted for the project. It is usually composed in alphabetical order according to the name of the author of the reference material. The main purpose of a bibliography is to give due credits to the author of the texts that have been cited or referenced in the document, help the reader locate the evidence related to the project at hand, and help the reader find extended reading upon the subject if desired. An entry in a bibliography usually consists of the author, title of the source, publication information, and the date. However, there are various ways of composing a bibliography, such as MLA, APA, Turabian, etc. The manner in which the references are stated depends upon the style used. A bibliography is also sometimes referred to as works cited.
What is an Annotated Bibliography?
An annotated bibliography is a list of available references upon a topic that has been referred to or has been cited in the project concerned. Each entry in an annotated bibliography gives a brief account of the references provided with concise descriptions and evaluations covering each entry. An annotated bibliography can be either part of a larger project or a standalone project of its own. A short analysis or a summary of the resource is given with each entry, showcasing the quality and amount of research that has gone into the project and exhibits the relevance of each source to the project. It also shows the depth of reading the author has accomplished in relation to the project. Not only is this useful to the reader, but it is also useful to the author of the project in realizing how relevant their resource is to the project at hand.
Key Takeaways
- A bibliography is a list of sources used in a project, usually found at the end of an academic text, and is composed of the author, title of the source, publication information, and the date.
- An annotated bibliography is a list of available references that includes concise descriptions and evaluations of each entry, providing a brief summary or analysis of the resource.
- The main difference between a bibliography and an annotated bibliography is that an annotated bibliography includes a summary or analysis of the reference, while a bibliography simply lists the references.
