Annotated Bibliography: Definition, Examples, and Tips

What is an Annotated Bibliography?

An annotated bibliography is a list of citations of books, articles, and documents (such as government reports) that includes a summary of each source. Like any bibliography, an annotated bibliography is an alphabetical list of research sources. In addition to bibliographic data, an annotated bibliography provides a concise summary of each source and assesses its value or relevance. The purpose of the annotation is to inform your readerof the relevanceand quality of the sources cited. You may not include websitesin your annotated bibliography; however, documents found online are acceptable. Your bibliography must include at least 1 scholarly source. Your bibliography may include one news media article. You may include a chapter from the textbook.For more information about annotated bibliographies and to see examples, look hereand here.To create your annotated bibliography, follow these steps:Step One: Search for sources Locate books, articles,and documents that may contain useful information and ideas related to your topic. Read the items. Forjournal articles, start by reading the abstract to determine whetherthe article is relevant. Once you have reviewed several sources, choose 3that are most relevant to your topic.At least one source must be a scholarly source. If you are not sure what a scholarly source is, please visit the library for assistance.Step Two: Cite your3sources in alphabetical orderCite the 3sources you have chosen in alphabetical orderby the author’s last name. Use MLA, APA or other recognized style. If you are not sure how to create citations, visit the library for help.Step Three: Summarize the argumentsof each of the3sources Once the sources have been listed alphabetically, writeup a concise description(“annotation”)of the main argument of each source. Each annotationshouldbe 100 words. The annotation will identify thepurpose of the article (or research question),thesis statement,major methods of investigation if identified (i.e. does the article base its main arguments on archives, interviews etc.), and main conclusions. Identifying the argument of a source is different fromdescribing or listing its contents. Ask yourself –what exactly is the author trying to say? What is their main point?In addition, the annotation mustoutline why the article is relevantto your proposed research; in other words, you must explain how the source will contribute to your paper.

2II.PROPOSALNow that you have done some initial research for your Critical Thinking Exercise, and have examined some sources more closely through your annotated bibliography, you can write a proposal for your paper. The purpose of writing a proposal is to give your instructoran opportunity to provide feedback on your topic and argument. A paper proposal requires you to narrow your ideas and begin formulating the argument you will make. A proposal can also help by directing you away from a potentially unworkable topic and toward one that is do-able given the time and space constraints of a term paper. The point is to avoid the problem of finding out too late that your topic/research question is not going to work. Organize your paper proposal according to the following sections:Section 1: Thesis statement Create a thesis statement that defines the topic or argument. You may need several tries before you reach a coherent idea. Ask yourself questions like:What exactly am I trying to say? What is it that I really want to argue? What is my main point? This sentence will become the thesis statement for your paper. Your thesis statement tells the reader what the paper is about and also guides your writing and keeps your argument focused. For this paper, your thesis statement will likely include the fault line (power relationship) you are analyzing, the region inquestion, and possibly the concepts you will use. In addition, your thesis statement will identify your specific argument –something along the lines of how will use the concepts, why they are relevant, or what they reveal about the issue.The thesis statement cannot be a question (Note: if you think your thesis is a question, then answer the question. The answer is likely your thesis).A thesis is not the same as your purpose in writing the paper. The purpose is why you are writing the paper –generally,what you are going to do in the paper (I discuss, explore, reveal, outline, describe...). The thesis is your specific argument (I argue...). Your thesis does not have to be something earth-shattering. It is simply a summary of what you are going to discuss inyour paper and serves as a guide to you and the re