annotated bibliography assignment dual credit senior...

Annotated Bibliography Assignment Dual Credit Senior English

WHY: Writing an annotated bibliography is excellent preparation for a research project. Just collecting sources

for a bibliography is useful, but when you have to write annotations for each source, you're forced to read

each source more carefully. You begin to read more critically instead of just collecting information. The

purpose of research is to state and support a thesis. So a very important part of research is developing a thesis

that is debatable, interesting, and current. Writing an annotated bibliography can help you gain a good

perspective on what is being said about your topic. By reading and responding to a variety of sources on a

topic, you'll start to see what the issues are, what people are arguing about, and you'll then be able to develop

your own point of view.

WHAT: Annotated Bibliography=citation+annotation. The annotated bibliography provides readers with the

citation which lists the author, title and publication details of a source, AND it also adds a brief summary, or

annotation, about each source (book, periodical, film, speech/lecture or internet source). Placed just below

the facts and summary of the source, the annotation describes all the essential data.

A GOOD annotated bibliography…

Encourages you to think critically about the content of the works you are using, their place within a

field of study, and their relation to your own research and ideas.

Proves you have read and understand your sources.

Establishes you as a competent researcher.

HOW: You will compile an annotated bibliography over a topic of your choice. You should have 25 resources

(one page typically holds two annotated sources). Remember, you start with a correct MLA citation for the

source, and then you add an annotation (minimum of 150 words—usually 50-60 words per paragraph). In each

of the paragraphs of the annotation, you will do the following:

Paragraph 1=Summary: Explain the main purpose of the work. Briefly describe the content. What are

the main arguments? What is the point of this book or article? What topics are covered? If someone

asked what this article/book is about, what would you say?

Paragraph 2=Evaluation: After summarizing a source, you will evaluate it. Discuss the timeliness of the

article/book. Evaluate the relevance of the information. Is the author an expert? What qualifications

does he/she have? Note any special features of the text, such as artwork, graphs, video, etc. Look for

any weakness or bias in the source—is it from a group with a specific agenda? What is the perspective

of the source?

Paragraph 3=Reflection: Once you've summarized and assessed a source, you need to ask how it fits

into your research. Is this source helpful? What would it support/refute in your paper and how would

you use it?

Example

Lamott, Anne. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. New York: Anchor Books, 1995. Print.

Lamott’s book offers honest advice on the nature of a writing life, complete with its insecurities and

failures. Taking a humorous approach to the realities of being a writer, the chapters in Lamott’s book are

wry and anecdotal and offer advice on everything from plot development to struggling with one’s own

internal critic. Lamott includes writing exercises designed to be both productive and fun.

Lamott does not appear to have any particular bias in this book other than her own opinions on the

writing process. However, even though she gives her own process as example, she acknowledges that

the reader should do what is comfortable for him/her. Rather than a practical handbook to producing

and/or publishing, this text uses down-to-earth humor and an encouraging approach. Although it was

written in 1995, the advice is not out of date.

In a research paper about the teaching of writing to high school students, chapters in this text could

easily be included as a sample curriculum. Several of the chapters in Part 1 address the writing process

and would serve to generate discussion on students’ own drafting and revising processes. Some of the

writing exercises would also be appropriate for generating assignments. Students should find Lamott’s

style both engaging and enjoyable.

Rubric

Annotated Bibliography Essentials

The MLA formatting of the citation should be flawless down to every comma and placement of info.

The annotation explains the main purpose or claim of the work.

The annotation describes the content that will be used from the work in your own paper.

The annotation indicates the timeliness of the source.

The annotation evaluates the relevance of the information (qualification of author, expert status, etc.)

The annotation warns readers of any weaknesses or possible biases in the source.

The annotation uses complete sentences and correct grammar/mechanics throughout.

The annotation properly punctuates titles (italics for long works, Q marks for short works).

The annotation follows ALL of the formatting guidelines (doc ID, title, spacing, font and margins).

Grading: You will have 25 sources, each graded individually based upon the criteria in the above rubric. In

addition, a portion of your grade will be scored based on your selection of sources, and the breadth that they

cover in helping you discern the most educated position on your topic. In other words, make sure that you are

selecting sources from multiple perspectives and viewpoints. This collective assignment is worth 250 pts.

NOTE: You will submit your work to turnitin.com by the deadline provided. DO NOT submit as a PDF. You need

to upload a .doc or a .docx. DO NOT cut and paste.

Formatting Guideline Notes: The citations should be in alphabetical order. Use hanging indent properly. Put your

document ID in the upper left hand corner and title the paper “Annotated Bibliography.” Put your research question

directly beneath title. Use 12 pt. font and use the spacing shown in the example—block formatting. There are no page

numbers on annotated bibliographies. Use correct grammar and punctuation throughout.

Dual Credit Annotated Bibliography Rubric Criteria Poor Average Excellent

The MLA formatting of the citations should be flawless down to every comma and placement of info. It properly punctuate titles (italics for long works, Q marks for short works). --20%

Citations are correct in only 1-10 sources

Citations are correct in only 11-24 sources

All 25 citations are flawless

Paragraph 1: Summary The annotation explains the main purpose or claim of the work. --20%

Only correct in 1-10 sources


Correct in all 25 sources

Paragraph 2: Evaluation The annotation indicates the timeliness of the source. It evaluates the relevance of the information (qualification of author, etc.) It readers of any weaknesses /possible biases. --20%




Paragraph 3: Reflection The annotation describes the content that will be used from the work in your own paper. --20%




The annotations use complete sentences and correct grammar/mechanics throughout. --10%




The Annotated Bibliography follows ALL of the formatting guidelines (doc ID, title, spacing, font and margins, etc). --10%

No formatting requirements are met

Some formatting requirements are met

All formatting requirements are met

annotated bibliography assignment dual credit senior...

Documents