Turabian Annotated Bibliography

Use of Turabian Style

The famous Turabian’s Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations has been elaborated for the University of Chicago by Kate Turabian. Hence, it has shared many features in common with the Chicago Manual of Style. While the most used styles (APA, MLA, and Chicago style) are employed in publications (or works which should be published), Turabian style is elaborated in order to be used by students writing research papers, master theses, PhD dissertations, etc. This style allows for using references in footnotes or endnotes (the so-called notes-bibliography style). There are some small differences between the use of references in the notes, and its use in bibliography which should be taken into consideration when you prepare your work according to the Turabian style.

Each bibliographical entry may be described in one or several short sentences; this is called annotation. To write a good annotation means that you have understood the content of the cited titles very well, and also that you are able to evaluate them critically.

If you are required to write an annotated bibliography in Turabian style, then you should follow some rules.

Turabian annotated bibliography – 6 important rules

Rule 1: Cite all titles in the bibliography 

First, your Turabian annotated bibliography should contain all titles cited throughout your paper, even if you have not used direct quotations from the given sources. For example, you may simply inform your reader that a given problem has been researched by d-r A. in the book B. Then the book B should be included in your bibliography.

Rule 2: Annotate correctly

Second, when you annotate every title, you have two options: 

1. To use brief phrases (4-5 words); then add them in brackets immediately after the publication data.
   
   
2. To use full sentences; then add them on a new line, without bracketing.

Rule 3: Center “Annotated Bibliography” at the end

Third, the phrase “Annotated Bibliography” should be placed at the end of your work, centered one inch from the top of the page. After it you should present the title of your paper. As with other academic styles, the titles are put in an alphabetical order.

Rule 4: Use correct formatting

Fourth, be careful with formatting: use Times New Roman, font pt. 12. The first line of each entry should begin at the left margin. The first line of the annotation should have a hanging indentation. Every subsequent line should have a five-space indentation. You should use double space between entries, but single space within entries.

Rule 5: Distinguish between the notes style & the bibliography style

Fifth, you should distinguish between the notes style and the bibliography style. The latter uses periods instead of commas and parentheses.

Rule 6: Make the description of every title brief

Sixth, it is recommended that brief description of every title is less than five sentences, 150 words. Don’t forget that you are writing an annotated bibliography and not an abstract of each work. You may simply review (describe) the work, make critical evaluation, or combine both.

Example of Turabian annotated bibliography

Annotated bibliography example

Pragmatist approaches to epistemology

Encyclopedia Britannica, 9th ed., "Pragmatism."

        A well-written article about the philosophical movement called Pragmatism.

     Contains useful information and critical remarks.

Johanson, Arnold E. “Philosophy and the Limits of Doubt.” Ph.D. diss., Yale University,

     1969.

        The author investigates the nature and the forms of doubt in classical pragmatism. A

     comprehensive and innovative PhD dissertation.

Mead, George H. The Philosophy of the Act.  Chicago: The University of Chicago Press,

     1938.

        A fundamental work by the founder of social psychology. According to Mead,

     thought and act exist in union. The theoretical cannot be considered separately from

     the practical.

Murphey, Murray G. “On Peirce’s Metaphysics.” Transactions of the Charles S. Peirce

      Society 1, no.1 (1965): 12-25.

        As one of the most renowned pragmatist scholars, Murphey offers a conception

     based on the assumption that Peirce’s metaphysics is the fundament of his

     pragmatism. Classical pragmatism does not turn upon epistemology, but on

     metaphysics, particularly on Peirce’s theory of categories.

Putnam, Ruth-Anna, ed. The Cambridge Companion to William James. Cambridge:

     Cambridge University Press, 1997.

        A volume devoted to William James’ thought. It contains useful insights elaborated

     by James’ scholars. A perfect book for everyone interested in classical pragmatism

     and modern epistemology.

Do you need help with writing an annotated bibliography in Turabian format?