Annotated bibliography template (APA 7th edition)

Quick answer

An APA annotated bibliography lists each source as a reference entry in alphabetical order with a hanging indent, followed by a short annotation indented 0.5 inch. Each annotation of about 3 to 6 sentences summarizes the source, evaluates it and says how you will use it.

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1
Annotated Bibliography
[Optional: one short paragraph explaining the topic and scope of the bibliography, if your instructor asks for it.]
[Reference entry 1 in APA format: Last name, F. M., & Last name, F. M. (Year). Title of article in sentence case. Title of Journal, volume(issue), pages. https://doi.org/xxxxx]
[Annotation 1. Start on a new line. Write 3 to 6 sentences: summarize the source's main argument and method, evaluate how credible and useful it is, and say how you will use it in your project.]
[Reference entry 2 in APA format: Last name, F. M., & Last name, F. M. (Year). Title of article in sentence case. Title of Journal, volume(issue), pages. https://doi.org/xxxxx]
[Annotation 2. Start on a new line. Write 3 to 6 sentences: summarize the source's main argument and method, evaluate how credible and useful it is, and say how you will use it in your project.]
[Reference entry 3 in APA format: Last name, F. M., & Last name, F. M. (Year). Title of article in sentence case. Title of Journal, volume(issue), pages. https://doi.org/xxxxx]
[Annotation 3. Start on a new line. Write 3 to 6 sentences: summarize the source's main argument and method, evaluate how credible and useful it is, and say how you will use it in your project.]

Before you submit

Starting from a blank document? Set it up yourself

In Microsoft Word

  1. Open a new document with 1 inch margins, Times New Roman 12 pt, double spacing.
  2. Type Annotated Bibliography at the top, centered and bold.
  3. Paste your first reference entry. Select it and set Paragraph, Special, Hanging, 0.5”.
  4. On the next line, type the annotation. Set Paragraph, Indentation, Left, 0.5” and Special, None.
  5. Repeat for each source, then sort the entries alphabetically.

In Google Docs

  1. Open a new document with 1 inch margins, Times New Roman 12 pt, double spacing.
  2. Type Annotated Bibliography at the top, centered and bold.
  3. Paste the reference entry. Go to Format, Align and indent, Indentation options, Special indent: Hanging, 0.5”.
  4. On the next line, type the annotation. Set the left indent to 0.5” with Special indent: None.
  5. Repeat for each source, then sort the entries alphabetically.

Filled-in example

Sample content for illustration. Do not cite.
Filled-in example

three invented sources with APA entries and annotations of different lengths. Sample content only.

Download the example
1
Annotated Bibliography
Nguyen, T. (2020). Sleep schedules and attention during university exams. Journal of Educational Psychology Research, 12(3), 88-101. https://doi.org/10.0000/example.1
Nguyen followed 120 students across one exam period and recorded their sleep and attention using daily logs. Students with regular sleep schedules reported fewer lapses in attention during exams. The study is small and relies on self-report, but it is clearly written and reports its limits openly. It supports my argument about sleep and attention and offers a contrast to Smith and Lee, who focus on recall.
Patel, R. (2021). Sleep and student life (2nd ed.). Northfield University Press.
Patel gives an accessible overview of sleep science for first-year students, with chapters on memory, stress, and daily routines. The book is written for a general audience and cites its sources, so it is useful for background but not for original evidence. I will use it to define key terms in my introduction.
Smith, J. A., & Lee, K. (2022). Sleep duration and recall in undergraduates. Journal of Student Learning, 18(2), 205-220. https://doi.org/10.0000/example.2
Smith and Lee surveyed 400 first-year students and tested their recall after different amounts of sleep. Students who slept seven hours or more scored higher on memory tasks than those who slept less. The sample comes from a single university, which limits how widely the results apply, but the study uses validated tests and reports effect sizes clearly. This source gives direct evidence for my central claim.
Note: the sources above are invented for illustration. Do not cite them.

Annotation formula

  1. Summary: what is the source about and what does it claim or find? One or two sentences.

  2. Evaluation: who wrote it, what method or evidence does it use, and what are its strengths or limits? One or two sentences.

  3. Reflection: how does it help your project, and how does it relate to your other sources? One sentence.

How to use this template

  1. Download the Word file or choose Copy to Google Docs to get your own editable copy.

  2. List your sources and write each one as an APA reference entry. Put them in alphabetical order.

  3. Under each entry, start a new line and indent the whole annotation block 0.5 inch from the left margin.

  4. Write the annotation in the three-part formula above. Keep the same length for every annotation unless your instructor says otherwise. 100 to 150 words is common.

  5. Check whether your instructor wants a descriptive annotation (summary only), an evaluative one (summary and judgment), or both. Remove the parts that are not required.

  6. Read the whole list once for consistent tense and tone.

Rules at a glance

Element

APA 7th edition annotated bibliography

Title

“Annotated Bibliography,” bold, centered

Reference entry

Standard APA reference format, flush left with 0.5 inch hanging indent

Annotation

New line under the entry, indented 0.5 inch from the left margin as a block. If you write more than one paragraph, indent the first line of the second paragraph a further 0.5 inch.

Spacing

Double spaced, no extra space between entries

Order

Alphabetical by first author’s last name

Length

Usually 100 to 200 words per annotation. Follow your instructor.

Voice

Concise, third person, present tense for what a source argues

Note: the APA manual does not set a fixed length or content for annotations, so these details can vary by instructor. The indentation follows the APA Style guidance for annotated bibliographies.

Common mistakes

  • Copying the abstract. An annotation is your own summary and judgment, not the author’s abstract.

  • Summarizing only. Unless the assignment says “descriptive”, add a line on credibility and usefulness.

  • Getting the reference entry wrong. The annotation does not fix a faulty citation. Check each entry against the APA reference rules.

  • Indenting the annotation by tab on the first line only. Indent the whole annotation block 0.5 inch.

  • Uneven annotation lengths. Aim for a consistent length across entries.

  • Skipping the link to the project. A short note on how you will use the source is what makes an annotation evaluative rather than a summary.

Frequently asked questions

What is an annotated bibliography?

An annotated bibliography is a list of sources, each followed by a short paragraph (the annotation) that summarizes and evaluates it. It shows what you have read and how each source contributes to your research.

How long should each annotation be?

Most instructors ask for 100 to 200 words, or three to six sentences. APA does not set a length, so follow your assignment. A descriptive annotation can be shorter than an evaluative one.

What is the difference between descriptive and evaluative annotations?

A descriptive annotation summarizes the source’s content. An evaluative annotation also judges the source’s quality, evidence and usefulness. Many assignments ask for both.

Do I need a title page for an APA annotated bibliography?

Only if your instructor asks. A student paper in APA format usually has a title page, so check the assignment. If you use one, follow the APA format template.

How is an APA annotated bibliography different from a reference list?

A reference list only lists sources. An annotated bibliography adds a paragraph under each entry. The title changes from “References” to “Annotated Bibliography.”

How do I do the hanging indent in Google Docs?

Select the entry, go to Format, Align and indent, Indentation options, and set Special indent to Hanging at 0.5 inch. For the annotation, set Left indent to 0.5 inch with no special indent.

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Follows the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th edition, and APA Style guidance on annotated bibliographies. Last reviewed October 2026.

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