APA 7 annotated bibliography intro paragraph required?

APA 7 does not require a narrative introductory paragraph for an annotated bibliography; the style guide only mandates that each entry include a citation and a concise annotation, so you can begin directly with the first source unless your instructor explicitly asks for an overview. The lack of a required intro is intentional, because the purpose of an annotated bibliography is to let the reader see the relevance and quality of each source without a separate summary of the whole project. If you’re unsure, the safest move is to follow the syllabus wording and skip the intro, then add a brief paragraph only if you receive a clarification or notice that other students are including one. This avoids the risk of losing points for unnecessary content while still meeting the core APA requirements. For example, a returning nursing student might list a journal article on wound care, provide a 150‑word annotation describing the study’s methods, findings, and its applicability to clinical practice, and then move on to the next citation without a pre‑face. The concrete benefit of omitting the intro is that you keep the document focused and concise, which aligns with APA’s emphasis on clarity and brevity. If your professor later requests a scope statement, you can easily insert a short paragraph at the top explaining that the bibliography surveys recent evidence‑based practices for bedside nursing care. In any case, double‑check the assignment rubric or ask the instructor directly; a quick email confirming “no introductory paragraph needed” will give you confidence and ensure you meet the expected criteria.