What does Formatly actually do?

Formatly formats your document — margins, spacing, fonts, headings, page layout, and structure — all matched to your chosen style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.). We don't edit your writing, check grammar, or validate citations. You write it; we make it look right.

Which citation styles are supported?

Formatly supports APA 7th edition, MLA 9th edition, Chicago Manual of Style, Harvard, and Turabian. We continuously evaluate new styles based on user requests.

How long does formatting take?

Most documents are formatted in about 30 seconds. The time depends on document size and length, but our engine is optimised for speed without sacrificing accuracy.

Yes. Your documents are processed in real-time and only you can access them. We never see, store, or share your content — your work stays yours.

How to Set Up an Annotated Bibliography in APA, MLA, and Chicago

Struggling to figure out the correct format for your annotated bibliography? You’re not alone—and the good news is, once you know the rules, it’s straightforward.

Whether your professor requires APA, MLA, or Chicago style, an annotated bibliography has a clear structure: a citation followed by a descriptive and evaluative paragraph. The tricky part? Each style has its own rules for indentation, spacing, and order. Let’s break it down step by step so you can set up your annotated bibliography in any style without the guesswork.

What You’ll Need Before You Start

Before diving into formatting, gather your sources and write your annotations. Each annotation should be a short paragraph (usually 150–250 words) that summarizes, evaluates, and reflects on the source. Keep your annotations concise and focused on relevance to your research.

If you’re still building your citations, check out 5 Common APA Formatting Mistakes (And How to Fix Them) to avoid common errors from the start.

Step 1: Set Up Your Document Margins and Font

For all three styles, start with a standard academic page setup:

Margins: 1 inch on all sides
Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt
Line spacing: Double-space the entire document, including citations and annotations

This base formatting works for APA, MLA, and Chicago. If you need help automating headings, see How to Automate Headings in APA, MLA, and Chicago: A Step-by-Step Tutorial.

Step 2: Format the Title Page (If Required)

Only MLA and Chicago require a separate title page for an annotated bibliography. APA uses a running head and page number on every page, but the bibliography itself starts on a new page after the title page.

APA: No separate title page for the bibliography. Include a running head and page number. Center the title “Annotated Bibliography” at the top of the page.
MLA: Create a title page with your name, instructor, course, and date. Center the title “Annotated Bibliography” below the header.
Chicago: Use a title page with the title centered and no page number on it. The bibliography starts on the next page.

Step 3: Format Each Citation Entry

Each entry begins with a full citation in the correct style. The key formatting difference is the hanging indent:

APA and MLA: Use a hanging indent (first line flush left, subsequent lines indented 0.5 inches).
Chicago: Use a hanging indent as well, but note that Chicago also requires the citation to be single-spaced with a blank line between entries.

For a deeper dive into citation rules, read Why Citation Engines Fail: The Case for Rule-Based Automation.

Step 4: Add the Annotation Paragraph

After each citation, write the annotation. Here’s how to format it in each style:

Style	Annotation Placement	Annotation Indentation	Spacing
APA 7th Edition	Directly below the citation, no blank line	Block indent (0.5 inches from left margin)	Double-spaced
MLA 9th Edition	Directly below the citation, no blank line	Block indent (1 inch from left margin)	Double-spaced
Chicago 17th Edition	Directly below the citation, no blank line	Block indent (0.5 inches from left margin)	Single-spaced within annotation, double-spaced between entries

For APA and MLA, the annotation itself is double-spaced. For Chicago, only the annotation text is single-spaced, but leave a double space between each full entry (citation + annotation).

Step 5: Order the Entries

All three styles require entries to be listed alphabetically by the author’s last name. If there is no author, use the first significant word of the title.

APA: Alphabetical order by author’s last name.
MLA: Same as APA—alphabetical by author’s last name.
Chicago: Also alphabetical, but note that Chicago allows you to group sources by topic if your instructor permits.

Pro Tips for a Polished Annotated Bibliography

These small details can make a big difference in your final grade:

Use a consistent verb tense in your annotations (present tense is common for summarizing the source’s argument).
Keep annotations focused on the source’s relevance to your research, not just a summary.
Check your instructor’s guidelines—some professors ask for a separate “Reflection” paragraph or a specific word count.
Automate the repetitive parts. Tools like Formatly can handle indentation, spacing, and citation formatting so you can focus on writing. For a complete walkthrough, see Effortless Academic Paper Formatting.

Stop Wasting Time on Formatting—Let Formatly Do the Heavy Lifting

Setting up an annotated bibliography in APA, MLA, or Chicago doesn’t have to be a headache. With Formatly, you can apply the correct formatting rules in seconds—automatic hanging indents, perfect spacing, and consistent annotations. No more manual tweaking or second-guessing.

Try Formatly for free and see how easy academic formatting can be. Your annotated bibliography will be ready in minutes, not hours.