What is the Difference Between Bibliography and Annotated Bibliography?

The main difference between a bibliography and an annotated bibliography lies in the information provided for each source.

A bibliography is a list of sources (books, journals, websites, periodicals, etc.) used for researching a topic. It typically includes the bibliographic information (i.e., the author, title, publisher, etc.) and is sometimes called "References" or "Works Cited" depending on the style format being used. The purpose of a bibliography is to give due credit to the authors of the texts that have been consulted or cited in the project.

An annotated bibliography, on the other hand, includes a summary and/or evaluation of each source in addition to the bibliographic information. The annotation is a brief paragraph containing a summary or evaluation of the sources, informing the reader of the significance, relevance, and quality of the reference materials used in the paper. Annotated bibliographies allow you to see what has been done in the literature and where your research fits in, helping you gain a good perspective on what is being said about your topic.

In summary, a bibliography simply lists the sources used in a research project, while an annotated bibliography provides a brief summary or evaluation of each source, giving the reader a better understanding of the context and relevance of the sources.

Comparative Table: Bibliography vs Annotated Bibliography

Here is a table comparing the differences between a bibliography and an annotated bibliography:

A bibliography is a list of sources used for research, providing readers with information on author, title, publisher, and other relevant details. An annotated bibliography, on the other hand, includes a summary and/or evaluation of each source in addition to the list of sources, helping readers understand the relevance and quality of the sources.