an Annotated Bibliography essay about the "GUN CONTROL"

Annotation Guide

1. Begin with a rhetorically accurate verb (such as asserts, argues, suggests, believes, reports, insists, contends, and indicates); and a “that” clause containing the major assertion (thesis statement) of the work. Avoid using such general words as writes or states. Also, it is important to continue with a “that” clause--instead of using “about” or “how.”

• Good Example:

King, Frederick A. “Primate Research is Humane.” Animal Rights: Opposing

Viewpoints. Ed. Janelle Rohr. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven, 1989, 90-94.

Contends that primates used in experimental research are treated humanely.

• Bad Example:

Writes about primates used in experimental research.

2. A brief but accurate explanation of how the author develops or supports the thesis, usually in the same order as was developed in the essay. You might find that this sentence is very long; don’t be afraid to use semi-colons. Here is a sample second sentence, which is very long. Note also how the author uses quotations.

• King supports his contention by asserting that “the rules for conduct of research, procedures, and standards” at most primate centers ensure that primates receive humane treatment; for example, at the Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center all research proposals are reviewed and monitored so that they “not only meet but exceed current U.S. Public Health Service regulations”; special animal care teams daily visit all apes and monkeys “so that any health problem can be detected and treated early”; and whenever invasive surgical procedures are used, “veterinarians and scientists alike use the same anesthetics and sterile procedures in human hospitals.”

3. A statement of the author's apparent purpose, followed by an “in order to” phrase. Be careful not to restate your first sentence.

• Good Example: King writes in order to assure his audience that they can trust researchers to engage in justifiable primate research.

• Bad Example: King writes so that he can explain how primates are treated humanely.

4. A description of the intended audience. Remember there really is no such thing as a general audience. Writers focus on a particular audience and seek to shape their response.

• As a researcher himself, King urges his colleagues to “inform the public” that such research is humane.

Another Example:

Goodall, Jane. “Primate Research Is Inhumane.” Animal Rights: Opposing Viewpoints. Ed. Janelle Rohr. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven, 1989, 95-100

Argues that most laboratories using primates engage in inhumane practices. She supports her argument through detailed descriptions of lab environments and draws special attention to the neglect of psychological comforts which these primates endure until they sometimes become insane. Her purpose is to speak on behalf of the chimpanzees (because they cannot speak for themselves) in order to persuade her readers to see that if we do not fight for improvements in lab care, "we make a mockery of the whole concept of justice." Goodall writes to those who have compassion for other species and who might

have enough courage to speak out for chimpanzees and other primates.