Sometimes the value of the scholarship is in the documents you create to prove it. Every scholar wishes not to be bogged down in paperwork. But look at it this way:the academic paper advertises your credibility and the thoroughness of your research. It is also the Kevlar against plagiarism (and sometimes the cause).
Each academic document has its own nuts and bolts. Today, let's talk about an important one. - annotated bibliography .
An annotated bibliography is a list of citations from journals, books, articles, and other documents followed by a short paragraph. The paragraph(s) is a description of the source and how it supports its role.
It is the only document that can make your life and your professor's life easier by finishing your research paper with a graceful gesture. The way we use Microsoft Word for this type of research is Google Docs vs. Microsoft Word:The Deathmatch for Research. Google Docs vs. Docs Microsoft Word:The Investigation Online Deathmatch Solution is becoming the norm. We decided to see how Microsoft Word compares to Google Docs. Which one will do the best investigative work? Read More
It is important not to confuse an annotated bibliography with a regular bibliography or works cited.
A regular bibliography is simply a list of source citations. Nothing else. The following screen is an example of a regular bibliography. As you can see, it doesn't delve into the books or sources mentioned.
An annotated bibliography has a few more parts.. It is easy to get an idea of the meaning of the word “annotation”. According to Merriam-Webster, an annotation is:
This is what a common annotated bibliography looks like. I'm sure you can instantly make out the additional parts that are included in the frame.
As you can see, the sample above starts with the usual bibliographic citation. Then include a summary and a clear assessment of the source you used to research your topic. The intent behind adding your own summary and analysis after the primary or secondary source is to define the topic area and how it applies to your research. You must add an annotation every time you create a new source.
It is a lot of work. But this effort of yours helps the reader to find useful information at a glance. It tells the reader how each borrowed information has helped the document progress. And, it gives everyone a window into your thinking behind the topic you've selected.
The easiest way to create an annotated bibliography in Microsoft Word? Use a template to save time.
But it's always best to create one from scratch and hone your research writing skills in the process. It's not hard, so don't hold back. You should consider the style of documentation required for your investigation. There are distinct differences between APA, AMA, and MLA style.
I will follow the MLA (Modern Language Association) Style and show how to create a well-formatted document in Microsoft Word in five basic steps.
1. Set up your Word document. Go to Ribbon> Layout> Margins> Normal (1 inch margins on all sides).
2. Set the font. MLA recommends a serif font (for example, Times New Roman). Go to Home> Source and choose Times New Roman and 12 points . Also, go to the Paragraph group and choose 2.0 for double space line wraps.
3. Choose the location. An annotated bibliography begins on a new page following the end of your research sections. Type "Annotated Bibliography" at the top and center, align it on the page. It should be in all caps and centered, not bold or underlined.
4. Choose your fonts. Research and record information that pertains to your topic. A Properly Formatted Citation Make Writing Papers Easy - 4 Websites That Help You Cite Sources Make Writing Papers Easy - 4 Websites That Help You Cite Sources When it comes time to write an article, one of the biggest problems It may be to cite your sources. You have spent hours and hours working on your computer, perfectly creating each word. You are browsing to... Read More comes first and you must cite your source according to MLA style.
The MLA citation style for a book follows this sample sequence:
Example: Smith, J. Just a good book you can cite . New York, NY:Cambridge University Press, 2016. Print.
The citation is the most important part, so follow the format religiously by following the style formatting guide. There are many online sources that cover popular citation styles in more detail.
5. Indent the second line. The second line of the quote uses a hanging indent to offset a half inch from the left margin. Just press Enter at the end of the first line and then press the Tab key to create the indent. You can also adjust it with the hanging indent marker on the ruler. So, your quote will look like this:
As you can see above, each individual citation will start to flush from the 1 inch margin. But everything from the second line will be shifted 0.5 inches to the right.
To set hanging indents, you can also go to Ribbon> Paragraph> Click the Paragraph Settings Arrow to display the dialog. Below Indent , click on Special> Pendant . By default, the hanging indent is set to 0.5 inches.
Microsoft Word doesn't always like to space things out correctly. So you may have to manually wrap and indent everything from the second line onwards.
Microsoft Word has a built-in bibliography tool that you can use to manage your citations. About the Ribbon , Go to the References tab.
In the Citations and bibliography group, click the arrow next to Style .
Click the style you want to use for the citation and font, for example MLA.
Select the location where you want to start the appointment. Then click on Insert citation .
Two options are available in the dropdown menu.
If you choose Add new source , enter all the citation details in the Create Source cash register. Click OK .
You can preview the citation in the Manage Fonts dialog box.
Microsoft Word also helps you manage your long list of fonts. Get Competent With This Underused Microsoft Word Feature 7 Underused Microsoft Word Features And How To Use Them 7 Underused Microsoft Word Features And How To Use Them Are you overlooking some of Microsoft Word's most useful features? This app features a surprising number of underused tools and options. We've unearthed seven and we'll show you how to use them. Read More The Office support page also explains the gist of bibliographies.
You can also use online citation generators, although there is more value in doing it yourself.
Just to remind you again:the annotation starts below the quote. Annotated text is also indented below the citation. The first line of the citation beginning with the author's last name is the only flush text in the entire bibliography.
The paragraphs you include will depend on the purpose of your bibliography. Some annotations may summarize, some may analyze a source, while others may offer an opinion on the ideas cited. Some annotations may include all three paragraphs. In short:it can be descriptive, analytical or critical. But it follows a specific order...
In MLA style, annotated bibliographies should be arranged alphabetically according to the last name of the first named author in each citation. Then just copy and paste each annotation in the correct order.
One of the best videos I could find on YouTube that explains the entire process in detail comes from “mistersato411”:
It's also helpful to keep these two official documentation sites bookmarked.
Purdue's online writing lab is a helpful resource for quickly understanding style formats.
The research is the hard part. Don't make converting your research into the desired format any more difficult than it should be. It really isn't. Academics have turned it into something mystical.!
Just pay attention to the little details. If you're used to APA style, an MLA-style move can lead to errors. That could be the difference between a pat on the back or a red mark.
So, as in everything, practice makes perfect. And the right digital tool is an asset for organizing your research. Conquer your next research project. The easy way with these tools. Conquer your next research project. The easy way with these tools. Whether you're in school or have a job, chances are you either have or will have to do research at one point or another. And if you're like most people, you'll have to do it several… Read more. If you are a Word newbie, take the time to learn all the tricks 9 Tips to learn everything about Office 2016 9 Tips to learn everything about Office 2016 Microsoft Office 2016 is among us. How are you mastering the latest version for the sake of your productivity? We recommend the best links for learning Office. Steal a gear with these... Read More
Do you think writing annotated bibliographies is a difficult task? Offer your best advice in the comments; could make life easier for a student reading it.!
