An annotated bibliography is a helpful research tool that identifies and critiques useful resources for a specific subject. It includes a short commentary for each book, article, website, and so forth that it lists. The commentary can be descriptive, that is, it can simply describe the resource. Or the commentary can be evaluative, that is, it can tell about the resource's point of view, strengths and weaknesses, and what kind of research it would be useful for. Often, it is both! Annotated bibliographies answer the question: "What would be the most relevant, most useful, or most up-to-date sources for this topic?" You can see how they are of value to others. And, as an assignment, they get you to engage in the work of scholarship, using your knowledge, research, and critical thinking skills.
