Assignment
For this assignment, you will compile a 1500-word annotated bibliography. This document will include three sources exploring the research question you developed regarding your topic.
This is not a traditional research essay. It does not begin with a thesis. Instead, you begin with a question and do research to seek answers.
A quick note: You will use the research from this assignment for a later assignment, so be sure you truly are interested in your topic.
Annotated bibliographies are used when doing research to help the researcher keep track of multiple sources and ideas. Usually the information gathered is needed for a larger project; therefore, it is important to keep the information organized. Used in almost every field, annotated bibliographies allow for an exploration of a topic or question, and help the researcher compile data and information for anyone interested in learning about the topic.
Your annotated bibliography will include the following:
your research question
an introduction
an entry for each of the three sources:
the MLA bibliographic citation
a summary
a rhetorical analysis
important quotations
a conclusion
Here are the grading criteria for this project:
Your annotated bibliography…
is informative about the topic and includes sources that offer a variety of information and viewpoints.
includes three sources in total; have at least two different kinds of genres represented among your sources.
includes all assigned sections and is easy to read with regard to formatting (spacing is consistent, fonts and headings are professional looking, etc.).
uses MLA in-text citation when quoting from sources.
lists the sources in alphabetical order.
uses language, transitions, word choice, and grammar that is appropriate for the genre.
has been carefully proofread.
meets the required word count: at least 1500 words!
has been submitted on time.
Faculty may want to delete the template below from this page and provide it to students in a different page or post.
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Annotated Bibliography Template
Introduction (approx. 300 words)
Introduce your question.
Explain how or why you got interested in your question.
Explain what you expect to find in your research.
Source Entries (approx. 300 words each; three entries total)
You need three entries: each entry includes the source citation, a summary, and a reflection. Be sure to have at least two kinds of genres among your sources (for example, you might have two journal or newspaper articles and a documentary, or one newspaper article, one organization report, and one TED Talk, etc.). Also, remember to organize the source entries in alphabetical order by author’s last name (or by first significant word if there is no author listed).
For each entry, do the following:
MLA BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION: List each source using MLA format. See City Tech Library’s “Citation and Formatting Guide.”
SUMMARY: In this paragraph, convey what the author states in the article and do not give your opinion. Use phrases like “according to the article/video/podcast…” and “the author discusses…” to show the information is from the text (and not your own ideas). Put the source’s main point into your own words. Also, include important details such as data, facts, and evidence the author uses to support their claims. You might note how they use this evidence to arrive at their conclusions. Finally, include at least one quote: put it in quotation marks and cite it properly.
RHETORICAL ANALYSIS: Discuss (in one to two paragraphs) the source’s value and whether or not the source is trustworthy on this topic (explain why or why not). Give your opinion of the source! Comment on what goal this piece is trying to accomplish and what audience (students, experts, the general public, etc.) it seems to be addressing. Also, include any questions you might ask the author and/or mention aspects of the topic the author has overlooked. Do you agree or disagree with what the text is saying? How does this source add to your knowledge of the topic? Does the source’s genre add to its ability to convey its message? Finally, include at least one quote: put it in quotation marks and cite it properly.
And finally:
Conclusion (approx. 400 words)
Summarize what you found in your research.
Discuss what you learned while doing this research and why it is important to the overall topic.
Explain who you think needs to know about your research and why. (The answer cannot be “everyone needs to know.” That is too big of an audience.) Narrow it down to who needs to hear about it first or the most!
