How to Format MLA Annotated Bibliography
Step 1: Set up the page layout
Start with a standard MLA page setup. Use 1-inch margins on all sides and a legible font like 12pt Times New Roman. Create a page header in the top-right corner with your last name and the page number. In the top-left corner of the first page, list your name, the professor's name, the course title, and the date on separate lines. Center the title 'Annotated Bibliography' below the header. Ensure the entire document is double-spaced with no additional spaces between the title and the first entry.
Step 2: Create the MLA citation
Each entry begins with a full citation formatted according to MLA 9th edition rules. Organize your sources in alphabetical order by the first word of the citation (usually the author's last name). If a source has no author, use the title. Use a hanging indent for the citation: the first line should be flush with the left margin, while every line after that is indented 0.5 inches. This makes the author's name stand out so the reader can easily scan the list.
Step 3: Write and indent the annotation
Begin the annotation on the line immediately following the citation. Do not drop an extra line. The entire annotation block must be indented an additional 0.5 inches from the left margin. This means the annotation will align with the second line of your citation's hanging indent. Most annotations consist of three parts: a summary of the source's main argument, an assessment of the source's reliability, and a reflection on how the source supports your specific research paper.
MLA Annotated Bibliography Example
Doe, Jane. The Impact of AI on Academic Integrity. Oxford UP, 2023. Doe provides a comprehensive analysis of how generative AI tools affect student writing habits in higher education. The book uses quantitative data from over 50 universities to argue that AI enhances rather than replaces critical thinking. This source is highly credible due to its peer-reviewed status and extensive dataset. I will use Doe’s findings in my second body paragraph to support the claim that AI tools can improve draft quality.
Common Formatting Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these frequent errors to ensure your bibliography stays in professional MLA format:
- Single-spacing the text: Students often single-space annotations to save room. MLA requires double-spacing throughout.
- Missing the second indent: The annotation must be indented 0.5 inches relative to the margin. If your citation already has a hanging indent, the annotation looks like a distinct block of text.
- Incorrect ordering: Never organize your bibliography by the order you found the sources or by the date of publication. It must always be alphabetical.
- Using bullet points: Annotations should be written in complete sentences and formal paragraphs, not as a list of bulleted notes.