THE ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY The first step of good

THE ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY The first step of good research

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY An annotated bibliography is a list of citations to books, articles, and documents. Each citation is followed by a brief (usually about 150 words) descriptive and evaluative paragraph, the annotation. The purpose of the annotation is to inform the reader of the relevance, accuracy, and quality of the sources cited.

THE PROCESS Creating an annotated bibliography calls for the application of a variety of intellectual skills: concise exposition, succinct analysis, and informed library research 1. 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. 2. Cite the book, article, or document using MLA style (Thursday) 3. 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: Is this person an expert? A commentator? Do they write frequently on this topic? (b) comment on the intended audience: Is this meant for other scholars? A general, educated public? Is it based on research or opinion? (c) compare or contrast this work with another you have cited: Is this simply repeating the same thing as other works? If so, scrap it; if not, what new information are you learning from this work? (d) explain how this work illuminates your bibliography topic: How would you use this source in your paper? What “main discussion” will it add evidence to?

SAMPLE USING MLA FORMAT Bold, double spaced, hanging indent Waite, Linda J. , Frances Kobrin Goldscheider, and Christina Witsberger. "Nonfamily Living and the Erosion of Traditional Family Orientations Among Young Adults. " American Sociological Background into on authors (you may have to look this up) Review 51. 4 (1986): 541 -554. Print. How the authors got their info (their methodology) Longitudinal Surveys of Young Women and Young Men to test their hypothesis that nonfamily living by The authors’ thesis/hypothesis traditional sex roles. They find their hypothesis strongly supported in young females, while the effects Some examples How this is new research Note it’s relevance to your research topic The authors, researchers at the Rand Corporation and Brown University, use data from the National young adults alters their attitudes, values, plans, and expectations, moving them away from their belief in were fewer in studies of young males. Increasing the time away from parents before marrying increased individualism, self-sufficiency, and changes in attitudes about families. In contrast, an earlier study by Williams cited below shows no significant gender differences in sex role attitudes as a result of nonfamily living. This article will enhance my argument by providing support for my idea that societal mores are becoming looser as people leave home earlier and earlier.

LET’S WRITE ONE Bold, double spaced, hanging indent Background into on authors (you may have to look this up) How the authors got their info (their methodology) The authors’ thesis/hypothesis Some examples How this is new research Note it’s relevance to your research topic “Fixing the System. ” You. Tube. Vice, November. 2015. Web. 14 Oct. The Vice special report, “Fixing the System, ” hosted by Vice founder and reporter 2015. Shane Smith, explores contemporary issues of incarceration in America. By exploring the racialization of sentencing, the problems of mandatory minimums for non-violent, drug offenses, and the impact of incarceration on prisoners and families, the documentary proves it’s thesis that the prison system is broken. Interviews with President Barack Obama, the attorney general, and law enforcement officials and experts all testify to the fact that there are systemic issues regarding how America punishes non-violent offenders. While much scholarship concerns itself with prison and jail issues and reform, the Vice special report shines new light on the topic if only through its luminous interview subjects. This film is indispensable to my research on incarceration because I will be able to use their evidence to support my own discussions.

NOT AN ABSTRACT Sorry, no copying and pasting the abstract : )