The Annotated Bibliography
This assignment is crucial; it allows you to explore various positions on your topic and prepare some research before you dive into your investigating/explaining paper. After selecting your topic, you can begin searching. Remember to select articles and references carefully and to be suspicious when deciding which articles to use (is the source credible?). Remember to include those articles that cover many different perspectives on the topic.To begin the process of research, we will discuss library databases and the research process in class on Monday, September 25th. During our discussion be sure to pay very close attention, ask lots of questions, and take notes. We will then visit the library for library instruction on Friday, January 6th. Again, pay close attention, ask lots of questions, and take notes.
For the first portion of the annotated bibliography assignment you will be asked to locate three journal, newspaper or magazine articles relevant to your reserach topic on your own using the library's electronic database.
To access the library's electronic databases see the link below:
You may also use books. You may access the library's catalog here:
Once you have decided on your three sources, you will have to read and analyze them and take extensive notes. If they are long or book-length articles, then do your best to skim them. Always look at the table of contents, the chapter headings, and the index or bibliography in the back. You can learn a lot about a book from doing these things before you read it at length. You will then go back and read carefully the parts that are relevant to your paper.
Next, you should carefully read each article, underlining any ideas that you feel are important and/or those that elicit a strong personal response. As you are reading, record your own personal responses in the margins of the article. Then, you should write the article's annotation.
To complete each annoation, first write the MLA citation for the article (check your handbook for the correct citation). Your annotation should be typed, double-spaced, 12 pt., and Times New Roman font, using MLA style.
List the sources alphabetically by author’s last name, using MLA style, and then write an eight-to-ten sentence blurb summarizing each of your ten sources. Make sure to identify the author’s thesis in your summary and other important points made in the article. Finally, indicate in a sentence how you might use the source in your paper. Here is an example (but you will double space everything):
Pitts, Leonard. “Parents’ Influence is Limited.” The Dallas Morning News. 2 February 2002, 27A.
In this editorial, Pitts first claims that people are too quick to blame a child’s parents if the child does something wrong. In fact, he says, parents might even enjoy pointing the finger at other parents who have a child in trouble. However, he tell us, once he had his own children, he became more humble and realized that no matter how “good” parents are, children will still do things that are “bad” and against the “rules” that guided how they were raised. This leads him to an example: a song by Marvin Gaye, suggesting that parents should stop trying to mold children “like their own piece of clay.” Finally, he argues that parents should keep offering wisdom, guidance, and love, but stop thinking that they are the ultimate influence on their children’s lives. I will use this article to illustrate the perspective of those that believe when a child does something bad, the blame is too easily placed on parents.For an additional example, click the link below:
This first three annotations will be due on Wednesday, October 4, 2006.
•Remember that the purpose of an annotation is to give a reader a condensed and objective account of the main ides and features of a text. Indicate the main ideas of the text. Accurately representing the main ideas (while omitting the less important details) should be your major goal.
Remember that the purpose of an annotation is to give a reader a condensed and objective account of the main ides and features of a text. Indicate the main ideas of the text. Accurately representing the main ideas (while omitting the less important details) should be your major goal.•Use direct quotation of key words, phrases, or sentences. (“According to Hattemer” or “as Hattemer explains”) to remind the reader that you are summarizing the author and the text, not giving your own ideas. NOTE: Instead of repeating “Hattemer says,” choose verbs that more accurately represent the purpose or tone of the original passage: “Hattemer argues,” "Hattemer explains,” "Hattemer warns,” “Hattemer asks,” “Hattemer advises” (These are referred to as author tags).
Use direct quotation of key words, phrases, or sentences. (“According to Hattemer” or “as Hattemer explains”) to remind the reader that you are summarizing the author and the text, not giving your own ideas. NOTE: Instead of repeating “Hattemer says,” choose verbs that more accurately represent the purpose or tone of the original passage: “Hattemer argues,” "Hattemer explains,” "Hattemer warns,” “Hattemer asks,” “Hattemer advises” (These are referred to as author tags).•Avoid summarizing specific examples or data unless they help illustrate the thesis or main idea of the text.
Avoid summarizing specific examples or data unless they help illustrate the thesis or main idea of the text.•Report the main ideas as objectively as possible. Represent the author and text as accurately and faithfully as possible. Do not include your own personal reactions
Report the main ideas as objectively as possible. Represent the author and text as accurately and faithfully as possible. Do not include your own personal reactions• Lastly, in one sentence explain how you might use the source in your research paper.
Make sure to vary your sources (printed articles [not available on-line], full-text articles from the library’s electronic databases, books, magazines, academic journals, etc.). You should have at least three different types of sources. Remember to print a copy of the source.
For the second portion of this assignment you should locate 3 more written sources that deal with your topic that present varying positions and perspectives and repeat the steps above.
You should ensure that together all six of your sources adequately answers all of the questions below:
I. Facts: When did "your" artist work? What artistic movement did he or she belong to? What other work was the artist doing around the time this particular artwork was created?
II. Definitions: For example, if your artisit is an impressionist, what does that term mean? How should we define it? How should it be classified? How should it be interpreted? How does its meaning change in a particular context? (Definition is used to establish the meaning of one or more key terms) Who defines it this way? What is the evidence that supports such a definition? Who were some of the other impressionists (for example) and what characteristics define their work?
III. Causes/Effects: How/Why is your topic relevant to other artwork? What, in general terms characterizes the artistic movement or period your artist belongs to?
IV. Value: What is the history of the artwork you are writing about? Is this piece considered to be good or bad? How bad? How good? Of what worth is it? Is it moral? Immoral? Who thinks so? Why? What is the evidence that supports such claims?
The 2nd set of three annotations (4-6) is due Wednesday, October 11, 2006.
