RefWorks

Use RefWorks to create the proper citation style. For example, APA style requires that your annoations be double-spaced. Retain that format as you write the annotations.

1. Put the citations for the Annotated Bibliography in one folder.
2. Create Bibliography in the right citation style. Copy and paste into your Annotated Bibliography document.
3. Write your annotations for each citation, and place them in the Annotated Bibliography document following the same format. 

In this method you don't put your annotations in RefWorks, but you will need to keep them somewhere as you are reading the articles.

Use RefWorks to store your annotation, and create a document with the proper format. To use it efficiently, you must do some manipulation.  Use a format that includes Annotated with Abstracts -  APA, MLA, or USGS have these formats.

When you download the record from a database it automatically loads the abstract of the article in the Abstracts field in RefWorks. 

These formats will output whatever they find in the Abstracts field as the "annotation," so edit the Abstract field in the RefWorks record to replace the abstract with your own annotation.

Overview of the process

1. Collect citations in your personal RefWorks account as you discover them. Put the ones for the bibliography in one folder

2. Take notes as you read to capture your thoughts.
    If the PDF is attached to your RefWorks record, read the article and take notes inside of RefWorks! Keeps everything together.

3. Edit the RefWorks record (click the pencil icon) to add your annotations in the Abstract field

• Preserve the abstract: move (cut and paste) it into another text field in its RefWorks record 
• Write or copy your annotations in the RefWorks Abstract field

4. Create the formatted annotated bibliography using an Annotated with Abstracts "output style" 

NOTE: Only a few output styles have a pre-packaged "Annotated with Abstracts" option:

• APA, 5th and 6th editions
• MLA, 5th, 6th, and 7th editions
• USGS

      But you can customize any output style to include annotations.  See RefWorks help or ask for help from me.