Research paper

MVCC / Com. 101 / Johnson

Creating an Annotated Bibliography

For this assignment, you will gather at least eight sources that center on the theme of your CPV. We will

be visiting the MVCC Library on Thursday, Feb. 20. After the librarian introduces you to types of

sources, you will have an hour or so to find your sources. Record each source on a source sheet using

correct MLA citations. Each source sheet is worth 5 points. Below is information that may help you.

You are strongly urged to visit the MVCC library or your local library on your own to gather

sources!! You will need 8-10 sources total.

After you have located your sources, we will be evaluating them on Thursday, Feb. 27, during class.

All 8 Source Sheets are also due Feb. 27. You will then be responsible for typing up the sources into an

Annotated Bibliography. This should follow MLA guidelines. It will be worth 140 points (including

source sheets and evaluations).

THE PROCESS

First, locate and record citations to books, periodicals, and documents that may contain useful information

and ideas on your topic. Use your cluster, outline, and thesis statement to guide you. Cite the book,

article, or document using appropriate MLA style on a note card.

Briefly examine and review each source sheet with a partner (Feb. 27). Then together choose those works

that provide a variety of perspectives on your topic. Write a concise annotation on the back of each card

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, (b) comment on the intended audience, (c) compare or

contrast this work with another you have cited, or (d) explain how this work illuminates your

bibliography topic.

An annotation is a summary and/or evaluation. Therefore, an annotated bibliography includes a

summary and/or evaluation of each of the sources. Your annotations should do the following:

 Summarize: 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?

 Assess: After summarizing a source, it is helpful to evaluate it. Is it a useful source? How does it

compare with other sources in your bibliography? Is the information reliable? Is this source

biased or objective? What is the goal of this source?

 Reflect: Once you've summarized and assessed a source, you need to ask how it fits into your

research. Was this source helpful to you? How does it help you shape your argument? How can

you use this source in your research project? Has it changed how you think about your topic?

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 jealousy, from perfectionism to struggling with one's

own internal critic. In the process, Lamott includes writing exercises

designed to be both productive and fun.

Lamott offers sane advice for those struggling with the anxieties of

writing, but her main project seems to be offering the reader a

reality check regarding writing, publishing, and struggling with one's

own imperfect humanity in the process. Rather than a practical

handbook to producing and/or publishing, this text is indispensable

because of its honest perspective, its down-to-earth humor, and its

encouraging approach.

Chapters in this text could easily be included in the curriculum for a

writing class. 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 classroom writing exercises.

Students should find Lamott's style both engaging and enjoyable.

RUBRIC for Annotated Bibliography

Bibliography follows a clear theme or claim related to CPV ____ (10)

At least 6 Entries written in correct MLA style and formatting. Entries reveal

a diversity of sources (i.e. books, databases, websites, magazines, etc.) ____ (30)

Annotations

Each entry summarizes the main arguments of the source. ____ (10)

Each entry evaluates the authenticity of the source and discusses

why it is credible and / or reliable. ____ (10)

Each entry reflects on the source and shows how it might fit into

a research paper about the theme chosen. ____ (10)

Each source comments on the intended audience of the source. ____ (10)

Grammar and Punctuation ____ (20)

TOTAL: ____ (100)