Annotated Bibliography Example: APA, MLA, Chicago Styles

A strong annotated bibliography example shows how a source is documented and explained within an academic project. Each entry begins with a correctly formatted citation in APA, MLA, or Chicago style, followed by an annotation that summarizes the source, explains its purpose, and evaluates its relevance to the research topic. An annotated bibliography sample may also clarify how the source supports an argument or frames a research question. For example, a citation for a peer-reviewed article on climate policy would include a paragraph outlining the author’s main claims, the scope of the data used, and the source’s usefulness for a research paper on environmental regulation.

This article explains clear formatting rules for each citation style, along with real samples so you can see how an example of an annotated bibliography should look. If writing and structuring annotations keep slowing you down, you can use EssayHub's ‘write my essay services’ for practical academic support.

Examples of Annotated Bibliography

Need to look at real examples before you start writing? Below are free annotated bibliography samples prepared in APA 7, MLA 9, and Chicago style, each written according to precise academic guidelines.

APA 7th Edition Annotated Bibliography Example

This annotated bibliography example APA uses a peer-reviewed journal article formatted according to APA 7 guidelines, followed by an annotation that explains content, credibility, and research value.

Citation and Annotation (APA 7):

World Health Organization. (2023). Mental health at work. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-at-work

This webpage outlines the relationship between working conditions and mental health outcomes, focusing on stress, burnout, and organizational risk factors. The World Health Organization presents global data, policy recommendations, and prevention strategies aimed at employers and policymakers. As an authoritative public health body, the WHO provides reliable, evidence-based information supported by international research. This source is relevant for an APA-style paper examining occupational mental health because it offers current data, clear definitions, and practical frameworks that connect workplace environments to psychological well-being.

You can download this free PDF with several APA-style examples for reference and formatting practice.

APA Style Annotated Bibliography Examples

APA Style Annotated Bibliography Examples

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How to Format an APA Annotated Bibliography?

APA formatting stays consistent across the entire document and leaves little room for improvisation.

• Use APA 7 rules for author names, dates, titles, and journals.
• Double-space the entire document.
• Apply a hanging indent 
• Flush the first line left, indent subsequent lines 0.5 inches.
• Place the annotation immediately below the citation.
• Write annotations as full paragraphs following APA rules.
• Use 12-point Times New Roman and 1-inch margins.
• Add a clear title identifying the document as an annotated bibliography.

Annotated Bibliography Example MLA

This MLA annotated bibliography example demonstrates the necessary MLA 9 formatting rules using a book source commonly cited in humanities and social science research.

Citation and Annotation (MLA 9):

Skloot, Rebecca. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Crown Publishing, 2010.

Skloot’s book explores the ethical and social implications of medical research through the story of Henrietta Lacks and the unauthorized use of her cells. The author blends investigative journalism with historical research, presenting complex scientific issues in accessible language. This source supports research on bioethics by illustrating how medical progress intersects with consent, race, and family rights. Its careful documentation and narrative depth make it a strong academic reference for ethical analysis.

Take a look at the annotated bibliography MLA example as a free PDF for citation and annotation practice.

MLA Style Annotated Bibliography Examples

MLA Style Annotated Bibliography Examples

How to Format MLA Annotated Bibliography?

MLA formatting prioritizes consistency and readability. Here are the main guidelines you need to follow:

• Follow MLA 9 rules for author names, titles, and publication details.
• Double-space every part of the document.
• Apply a hanging indent after the first line of each citation.
• Write annotations as complete paragraphs after each citation.
• Use 12-point Times New Roman with 1-inch margins.
• Keep the author’s last name as the organizing element for alphabetical order.
• Maintain consistent punctuation and italics according to MLA style guidelines.

Annotated Bibliography Example Chicago

This section uses the Chicago Notes–Bibliography system and presents a book-based annotation, a format commonly used in history and humanities papers where sources are cited with footnotes and listed separately in a bibliography.

Example of annotated bibliography (Chicago):

¹ Carlo Ginzburg, The Cheese and the Worms: The Cosmos of a Sixteenth-Century Miller (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1980).

Ginzburg’s book reconstructs the worldview of a sixteenth-century Italian miller using inquisitorial trial records and court documents. The author traces how popular beliefs interacted with formal religious doctrine during the early modern period. This source focuses on historical context rather than interpretation, presenting evidence drawn directly from primary materials. It is relevant for research on early modern social history because it demonstrates how individual experiences reflect broader cultural and intellectual patterns.

Corresponding bibliography entry

Ginzburg, Carlo. The Cheese and the Worms: The Cosmos of a Sixteenth-Century Miller. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1980.

A free PDF with additional annotated bibliography examples is available for download below.

Chicago Style Annotated Bibliography Examples

Chicago Style Annotated Bibliography Examples

How to Format Chicago Annotated Bibliography?

Chicago formatting emphasizes traditional structure and careful presentation.

• Use the Notes-Bibliography system rather than the author-date format.
• Apply a hanging indent so only the first line of each entry remains flush left.
• Double-space annotations unless your instructor specifies otherwise.
• Place the annotation immediately after the citation without a blank line.
• Use consistent punctuation and capitalization throughout each entry.
• Follow Turabian format guidelines for student papers when required.
• Keep margins at 1 inch and use a clear, readable font.

Annotated Bibliography Examples by Different Types

Examples of an annotated bibliography in this section show how annotations differ based on purpose, including descriptive, evaluative, and reflective approaches, so you can see how structure and focus change across different types.

Descriptive Annotated Bibliography Example

A descriptive annotated bibliography presents a factual account of a source without interpretation or judgment. The annotation explains what the work addresses, how broad the research scope is, and who the author appears to be writing for. Language stays neutral and restrained, closer to an academic summary than an opinion. Formatting follows standard citation rules, with the annotation placed directly beneath the citation as a single paragraph. The description mirrors the structure of the source itself, focusing on coverage and purpose rather than usefulness or credibility.

Key elements include:

• The author’s main thesis or purpose
• A summary of the contents and research scope
• A description of the intended audience

Evaluative Annotated Bibliography Example

An evaluative annotation examines the source’s credibility, evidence, and overall academic value. It asks the following questions:

• Is the author credible? 
• Do they back up their claims? 
• Is the source one-sided or balanced? 
• How does it compare to other sources you’ve looked at? 

These are the kinds of questions evaluative annotations help answer. They show you’ve thought critically about what you’re reading, not just accepted it at face value.

Reflective Annotated Bibliography Example

A reflective annotation centers on the writer’s interaction with a source and the impact that interaction had on the research. The annotation explains how the material reshaped understanding, challenged prior assumptions, or clarified the direction of the topic. The focus moves away from restating information and toward what changed as a result of engaging with the source. This is the point where the writer places the source within a broader context and defines its role in the overall project. Reflection turns reading into direction and helps ideas take a more defined form.

Final Thoughts

Annotated bibliographies rest on a simple structure that leaves little room for shortcuts. Each entry pairs a properly formatted citation with an annotation that explains what the source covers and why it belongs in the research. APA, MLA, and Chicago styles differ in layout and punctuation, yet all demand consistent spacing, correct indentation, and careful attention to detail.

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