| Annotated Bibliography | Literature Review | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Provides an organized list of sources with brief explanations of why each source is credible and relevant. | Provides an overview of the most significant sources on a particular topic or problem. |
| Structure | Sources are separated from each other and usually arranged alphabetically. | Sources are integrated into a critical essay and usually arranged thematically. They may be mentioned more than once. |
| Parts | A formal citation (usually APA, MLA, or Chicago style), followed by a short paragraph summarizing the source and explaining its credibility and relevancy. | The main topic or theme is explained in an introduction, then sources discussed are synthesized progressively through the essay, and the conclusion summarizes the sources and ideas presented. |
Loosely adapted from "Comparing the Annotated Bibliography to the Literature Review" by Cayla Buttram, David MacMillan III, & Dr. R.T. Koch, Jr.
Not all the sources you look at will end up in your annotated bibliography or literature review!
As you begin your research, you will compile a Working Bibliography, and select the most useful and relevant sources from that.