Writing Annotated Citations for APA and Chicago Formats Always consult your reviewer for specifications

Some Basic Facts About APA APA is most commonly used within social sciences. Citations must have a hanging indentation. References should be alphabetical by first author’s last name. Write only the initials for the first and middle names. Capitalize all words of a journal article, but only the first word for most other sources including Web Pages.

APA Format Example Conyers, J. (2002). Racial inequality: Emphasis on explanations. The Western Journal of Black Studies, 26 (4), Dr. Conyers, professor Emeritus of Sociology and winner of the W.E.B. Dubois Award, has authored and co-authored many books and articles on racial issues. In this article written for a leading journal on Black Studies, he discusses the three theories of racial inequality: (1) deficiency theories; (2) bias theories; (3) structural discrimination theories. He concludes that there are three ways to end racial inequality: outlaw discriminatory practices, help the minority out of poverty, and affirmative action. Dr. Conyers focuses on Blacks in America. He gives current examples and cites current research studies to provide support for his arguments. This article is best used for a brief overview of racial inequality in America.

What Did That Annotation Include? Introduction of the author The author’s credentials/ establish credibility A brief summary of the thesis An explanation of how the author proves the thesis A reflection on how the article is useful for research

General Reminders Always ask for a sample reference list and annotation guide. If the reviewer does not have one, consult the resources given on the previous slides. Don’t be afraid to ask a trusted teacher or mentor to review your work before you turn in your finished product. Some software programs offer citation generator features. Beware! Never fully trust a machine to do your job. Double-check all work!