Make a filing system. Whether it is a typed document, a folio or measured stacks in the corner of your room, creating a system for the articles and books you are reading is incredibly important. Although not part of writing the annotation, keeping articles and books filed according to a system is the first step to organizing your annotated bibliography. Especially when you go back and edit the annotations or decide you require more information in an annotation, having the text easily accessible will help immensely in the process.
Write annotations immediately after reading the material. The information is never fresher than immediately after reading. An annotation typically consists of two paragraphs. The first paragraph should summarize the material without directly quoting any material. The summary should include all major points, key phrases, the thesis statement and important conclusions. The second paragraph is typically used to evaluate the source. An evaluation should examine the author's background, the sources implemented by the author, how the author proves his thesis and whether the article or book is effective as a source.
Compile all annotations alphabetically, per MLA and APA guidelines. Once the list is generated, look at the length of each annotation. Ideally, annotations should all be about the same length. Though the annotation for a crucial article or a book may seem as though it should have a different length allotted, strive to make annotations equal in length. Because the annotated bibliography is for a thesis, paragraph length is fairly subjective. Typically, each source will receive one or two pages, depending upon either a professor's length requirements or personal preference. After compiling, proofread and edit all sources. The voice should be academic in tone, treating each source with scrutiny.
Format the compiled sources. A typical annotated bibliography first cites the source according to MLA, APA or CMS standards, depending upon your department's requirements. The paragraphs then follow. Each formatting method contains its own specific requirements. For MLA requirements, the MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing provides not only examples, but helpful tips for writing a thesis. The APA recommends "Critical Thinking About Research" to begin the thesis writing process.