English 1101
Annotated Bibliography
Dr. Brumfield
For this final assignment, you will research a topic of interest to you, formulate a thesis statement, and then create
an annotated bibliography from your research. YOU ARE NOT WRITING A RESEARCH PAPER! The purpose of your
work is twofold:
(1) to provide general background information about your selected topic, and
(2) to summarize arguments for and against your topic.
Your annotated bibliography will contain the following for each entry: one direct quotation and one overall
summary; your bibliography must contain a minimum of 7 separate sources of the following types and quantities:
• (1) Book (Can come from GALILEO)
• (3) Journal Articles (MUST COME FROM GALILEO)
• (1) Magazine or newspaper articles (not scholarly) (Should come from GALILEO)
• (2) Websites / videos / other types of media (reputable only) / field research (interview, observation,
survey)
An annotated bibliography is a list of citations of books, articles, and documents. Each citation is followed by a
brief (AT LEAST 100 words) descriptive and evaluative paragraph called the annotation. The purpose of the
annotation is to inform the reader of the relevance, accuracy, and quality of the sources cited. Your annotation will
also contain one meaningful direct quotation for each source. You are not writing abstracts, which are purely
descriptive summaries often found at the beginning of scholarly journal articles or in periodical indexes. Rather,
you are writing annotations, which are both descriptive and critical; they describe the author’s point of view,
authority, and/or clarity and appropriateness of expression.
Creating an annotated bibliography calls for the application of a variety of intellectual skills: concise exposition,
succinct analysis, and informed library research. First, locate and record citations to books, periodicals, and
documents that may contain useful information and ideas on your topic. Briefly examine and review the actual
items. Then choose those works that provide a variety of perspectives on your topic (be sure to include entries that
not only support your claim but also refute it). Cite the book, article, or document following MLA guidelines.
Write a concise annotation that summarizes the central theme and scope of the book or article. Include one or
more sentences that (a) evaluate the authority or background of the author, (b) comment on the intended
audience, (c) compare or contrast this work with another you have cited, or (d) explain how this work illuminates
your bibliography topic. The annotation will also include one direct quotation (not included in the word count).
Your bibliography will contain an introduction that explains the scope of your investigation (your thesis) and
provides a rationale for your selection of sources; additionally, your bibliography will contain an evaluative
conclusion, in which you explain what you learned from the process.
Your annotated bibliography will be comprised of the following components:
(1) A title
(2) An introduction
(3) At least 7 annotated bibliographical entries arranged alphabetically by TYPE (i.e., all articles together)
(4) An evaluative conclusion
Your annotated bibliography will be formatted as follows:
(1) MLA 2016 update for citations and document format
(2) Double spaced throughout
(3) 12 point, times new roman
(4) Each entry will be formatted like the sample above (hanging indent for the entire entry).
Following is a sample entry. You’ll have at least 7 entries in your bibliography.
Tompkins, Jane. “Indians: Textualism, Morality, and the Problem of History.” Critical Inquiry, vol. 13 no. 1, 1986,
pp. 101 – 19. EBSCOHost, doi: 10255487/hr104-2017-174.
ANNOTATION: Tompkins explores her attempts to uncover the truth about historical encounters between
Native Americans and European colonists through a personal narrative. Documenting her research processes
chronologically, Tompkins shows how her perspective changes as she consults historical documents written by first
the colonizers and then the colonized. Tompkins ultimately concludes that since no overarching historical narrative
exists, students of history must seek out competing versions of history to approximate the truth. This article
represents an important contribution to the field of historiography and supports my thesis. QUOTE: “The American
Indian suffered one of the most brutal expulsions of any people in history” (117).
Some useful language for talking about texts and arguments:
It is sometimes challenging to find the vocabulary in which to summarize and discuss a text. Here is a list of some
verbs for referring to texts and ideas that you might find useful:
account for clarify describe exemplify indicate question
analyze compare depict exhibit investigate recognize
argue conclude determine explain judge reflect
assess criticize distinguish frame justify refer to
assert defend evaluate identify narrate report
assume define emphasize illustrate persuade review
claim demonstrate examine imply propose suggest
The evidence indicates that . . . The article assesses the effect of . . .
The author identifies three reasons for . . . The article questions the view thak
Requirements: MLA | Bibliography | 2 pages, Double spaced
