Annotated Bibliography In Chicago Style

The annotation of a bibliography in Chicago style is a meticulous process that involves providing detailed information about each source cited in the research. This style is widely used in historical and social sciences, offering two main documentation systems: the author-date system and the notes-bibliography system. The notes-bibliography system is particularly relevant for annotated bibliographies, as it allows for a more detailed examination of sources through footnotes and a comprehensive bibliography.

Book with Single Author

In Chicago style, a book with a single author is annotated as follows:

1. Footnote:

   • First name Last name, Title of Book (Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication), Page numbers.
   • Example: John Doe, The History of English Literature (New York: Random House, 2000), 23-45.

2. Bibliography Entry:

   • Last name, First name. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication.
   • Example: Doe, John. The History of English Literature. New York: Random House, 2000.

Annotation for the Above Entry

• Doe’s The History of English Literature provides a seminal work on the development of English literature from the medieval period to the 20th century. The author, a renowned scholar in the field, offers insightful analyses of major literary movements and figures, making this book an indispensable resource for both students and scholars of English literature.

Article in a Journal

For an article in a journal:

1. Footnote:

   • First name Last name, “Title of Article,” Journal Title Volume, no. Issue (Year of Publication): Page numbers.
   • Example: Jane Smith, “The Impact of Climate Change,” Environmental Studies 10, no. 2 (2020): 12-20.

2. Bibliography Entry:

   • Last name, First name. “Title of Article.” Journal Title Volume, no. Issue (Year of Publication): Page numbers.
   • Example: Smith, Jane. “The Impact of Climate Change.” Environmental Studies 10, no. 2 (2020): 12-20.

Annotation for the Above Entry

• Smith’s article, “The Impact of Climate Change,” published in Environmental Studies, offers a critical examination of the current state of climate change research. The author presents compelling evidence on the rapid progression of climate change and its potential future impacts, making this article a valuable contribution to the ongoing discussion in the field of environmental studies.

Website

For a source from a website:

1. Footnote:

   • First name Last name, “Page Title,” Website Title, accessed Date, URL.
   • Example: John Doe, “About Us,” The Doe Foundation, accessed February 10, 2023, https://doefoundation.org/about-us/.

2. Bibliography Entry:

   • Last name, First name. “Page Title.” Website Title. Accessed Date. URL.
   • Example: Doe, John. “About Us.” The Doe Foundation. Accessed February 10, 2023. https://doefoundation.org/about-us/.

Annotation for the Above Entry

• The “About Us” page on The Doe Foundation website provides a concise overview of the foundation’s mission, history, and current initiatives. While the information is promotional, it offers insights into the foundation’s goals and activities, making it a useful resource for understanding the role of private foundations in public policy and community development.

Thesis or Dissertation

For a thesis or dissertation:

1. Footnote:

   • First name Last name, “Title of Thesis” (Type of Thesis, University, Year of Publication), Page numbers.
   • Example: Jane Smith, “The Role of Education in Social Mobility” (Ph.D. diss., Harvard University, 2020), 10-15.

2. Bibliography Entry:

   • Last name, First name. “Title of Thesis.” Type of Thesis, University, Year of Publication.
   • Example: Smith, Jane. “The Role of Education in Social Mobility.” Ph.D. diss., Harvard University, 2020.

Annotation for the Above Entry

• Smith’s doctoral dissertation, “The Role of Education in Social Mobility,” presents a comprehensive study on the impact of education on social mobility, using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The dissertation contributes significantly to the understanding of how educational attainment influences social and economic outcomes, offering policymakers and educators valuable insights for developing more effective education policies.

In conclusion, annotating a bibliography in Chicago style requires attention to detail and adherence to specific formatting guidelines. Each annotation should provide a concise summary of the source and an evaluation of its relevance and quality, contributing to a deeper understanding of the topic under research. Whether the source is a book, journal article, website, or dissertation, the annotation serves as a bridge between the cited work and the research at hand, enhancing the credibility and depth of the scholarly work.