Annotated Bibliography

An NWACC Library Academic Literacy Workshop

Learning Outcomes

You will be able to

• Describe the purpose of an annotated bibliography
• Identify the parts of an annotated bibliography
• Write a critical annotation

WHAT???

Excelsior OWL

WHY???

1. Record the results of research conducted
2. Show understanding of your sources
3. Evaluate the credibility and quality of sources
4. Think critically about a source's usefulness to you and others
5. Identify patterns among and themes across different sources
6. Help develop a thesis statement

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No, really. WHY???

Usually assigned as a step in writing a research paper

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1. Assignment
2. Topic
3. Research Question
4. Research
5. Annotated Bibliography
6. Working Thesis
7. Paper Writing
8. Repeat as needed

HOW???

Adapted from: Hamblin, Ginger. "Intern’s Corner: Annotated Bibliography." Hoot – The Excelsior OWL Blog, Excelsior College, 2 May 2019, hoot.excelsior.edu/interns-corner-annotated-bibliography/.

Parts

Checkpoint

Parts of an annotation

Citation

Summary

Evaluation

Use

Gregg II, Gary L. "Electoral College." American Governance, edited by Stephen Schechter, et al., vol. 2, Macmillan Reference USA, 2016, pp. 82-86. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints,

link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3629100205/OVIC?u=nwestakcc&sid=OVIC&xid=81dc34411.

A brief introduction to the electoral college explains how it works and provides historical context. It explains how the electoral college was chosen during the Constitutional Convention as a comprise between competing ideals to current differing views on it. Detailing its first crisis in 1800 clearly shows the electoral college has never been perfect and has always had detractors. It simply states the pros and cons of the current system. Published in an edited book, this relatively recent article is well written and easy to understand. The straight-forward explanation of how the electoral college works is clear and concise. The author, who is the Mitch McConnell Chair in Leadership at the University of Louisville, has written several books on politics, including an entire book on the electoral college. A good starting point that lays out several possible angles for exploring the electoral college. This article will be most useful for explaining the electoral college’s history and how it works. However, more information will be needed on pros and cons. Getting the author’s full book might be useful. 

MLA 9

APA 7

Wilson, C. (2018). The autistic advantage: Autism often brings distinct cognitive strengths and now we are starting to find out why, Anna Remington Tells Clare Wilson. New Scientist, 239(3186), 32–33. https://doi-org.proxy01.nwacc.edu/10.1016/S0262-4079(18)31254-5 

Wilson, Clare. “The Autistic Advantage: Autism Often Brings Distinct Cognitive Strengths and Now We Are Starting to Find out Why, Anna Remington Tells Clare Wilson.” New Scientist, vol. 239, no. 3186, July 2018, pp. 32–33. Academic Search Premier, proxy01.nwacc.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=130636411&site=ehost-live.

In a wide-ranging interview with the head of the Centre for Research in Autism and Education at University College London, Wilson presents Remington’s argument that autism is better seen as a diversity issue and not a medical disorder. 

• Brief overview of the source's main points, arguments, and key findings
• Does not go into detail
• Do not copy/paste the abstract!
• Summarize in your own words

This interview is written in a clear question-and-answer format and was published in a respected science magazine. While the author conveys the expert’s perspective, Wilson, unfortunately, does not ask any follow-up questions.

• Assesses the credibility and quality of the source
• Techniques to consider include:
• The 5 W's
• SIFT
• CRAAP Test
• SMELL test

The expert opinion introduces and stresses neurodiversity as one of many normal human variations.

• How will this source be useful in your paper?
• How might you incorporate it in your argument?
• Does it support your thesis or idea?

Citation

Summary

Evaluation

Use

Wilson, Clare. “The Autistic Advantage: Autism Often Brings Distinct Cognitive Strengths and Now We Are Starting to Find out Why, Anna Remington Tells Clare Wilson.” New Scientist, vol. 239, no. 3186, July 2018, pp. 32–33. Academic Search Premier, proxy01.nwacc.edu/login?url=

https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=130636411&site=ehost-live.

In a wide-ranging interview with the head of the Centre for Research in Autism and Education at University College London, Wilson presents Remington’s argument that autism is better seen as a diversity issue and not a medical disorder. 

This interview is written in a clear question-and-answer format and was published in a respected science magazine. While the author conveys the expert’s perspective, Wilson, unfortunately, does not ask any follow-up questions. The expert opinion introduces and stresses neurodiversity as one of many normal human variations.

Putting it all together

Wilson, Clare. “The Autistic Advantage: Autism Often Brings Distinct Cognitive Strengths and Now We Are Starting to Find out Why, Anna Remington Tells Clare Wilson.” New Scientist, vol. 239, no. 3186, July 2018, pp. 32–33. Academic Search Premier, proxy01.nwacc.edu/login?url=

https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=130636411&site=ehost-live.

In a wide-ranging interview with the head of the Centre for Research in Autism and Education at University College London, Wilson presents Remington’s argument that autism is better seen as a diversity issue and not a medical disorder. This interview is written in a clear question-and-answer format and was published in a respected science magazine. While the author conveys the expert’s perspective, Wilson, unfortunately, does not ask any follow-up questions. The expert opinion introduces and stresses neurodiversity as one of many normal human variations.

Formatting

• Like a Works Cited or Reference list
• Usually arranged alphabetically by author
• Might be arranged in other useful ways such as sub-topic

This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC.

Checkpoint

Creating an annotation

Step 1: 

• Create the citation in the style required by your assignment.
• For this activity, you can create your citation on zbib.org

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• Sample source: Why Mystery Fiction Is So Engaging - JSTOR Daily

MLA 9

Métraux, Julia. “Why Mystery Fiction Is So Engaging.” JSTOR Daily, ITHAKA, 18 Oct. 2021, daily.jstor.org/why-mystery-fiction-is-so-engaging/.

APA 7

Métraux, J. (2021, October 18). Why mystery fiction is so engaging. JSTOR Daily. https://daily.jstor.org/why-mystery-fiction-is-so-engaging/

Summarizing the Source

In your own words, describe the source's

1. Purpose/goal
2. Topics covered
3. Main argument or idea
4. Key findings, if any

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This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND.

How to Summarize

1. Read the source.
• Skim it.
• Go back and read it again.
• You may need to read it several times.
2. Break it into logical sections. What parts go together?
3. Identify the main ideas or key points of each section.
• Try highlighting or marking the key points in Word or on a print copy

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4. Write the source's main ideas / key points in your own words.
5. Check your summary against the original source.
• Did you capture the main ideas?
• Did you leave anything out you should include?
• Did you put in extra details that can be removed?

Using the Hulu show, Only Murders in the Building, Métraux explores the lasting appeal of mystery fiction. The show's main characters  create a true crime podcast to solve a murder in their building. Like readers of mystery novels, the characters and viewers carefully observe and track several moving parts. A common twist in mystery fiction is a false early solution. In the show, a false start propels the story forward as the characters investigate several likely suspects. However, there is not a clear villain. No matter how the characters solve the murder, there will probably be loose ends, but Métraux argues this is precisely the appeal of mystery fiction

Evaluating Checklist

1. Is the source useful, reliable, and authoritative?
2. Is the source biased or objective?
3. What is the goal of the source?
4. What are the source’s strengths and weaknesses?
5. How does the source compare to the other sources in your bibliography?

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The author is a widely published freelance writer with several articles in JSTOR Daily, an online magazine that analyzes current events with existing academic scholarship. The article includes links to the scholarly journal articles integrated into it from JSTOR, a trusted research database.

Use Checklist

1. How is the source related to your topic?
2. Did you find the source helpful?
3. Does it help shape your argument?
4. Did it change how you think about your topic?
5. How might you include it in your assignment?

This source provides an excellent example of how to integrate sources into an essay.

Citation

Summary

Evaluation

Use

Métraux, Julia. “Why Mystery Fiction Is So Engaging.”

JSTOR Daily, ITHAKA, 18 Oct. 2021, daily.jstor.org/why-mystery-fiction-is-so-engaging/. 

Using the Hulu show, Only Murders in the Building, Métraux explores the lasting appeal of mystery fiction. The show's main characters  create a true crime podcast to solve a murder in their building. Like readers of mystery novels, the characters and viewers carefully observe and track several moving parts. A common twist in mystery fiction is a false early solution. In the show, a false start propels the story forward as the characters investigate several likely suspects. However, there is not a clear villain. No matter how the characters solve the murder, there will probably be loose ends, but Métraux argues this is precisely the appeal of mystery fiction. The author is a widely published freelance writer with several articles in JSTOR Daily, an online magazine that contextualizes current events with existing academic scholarship. The article includes links to the scholarly journal articles integrated into it from JSTOR, a trusted research database. This source provides an excellent example of how to integrate sources into an essay.

Annotated Bibliography

Credo Reference. “Tutorial: Annotated Bibliography.” Instruct, library.nwacc.edu/instruct. An interactive introduction.

Excelsior College. “Annotated Bibliographies.” Excelsior Online Writing Lab, owl.excelsior.edu/research/annotated-bibliographies/. Comprehensive writing support for college students offers clear and simple directions and advice. A superior alternative to Purdue OWL.

Modern Language Association. “Ask the MLA.” The MLA Style Center, style.mla.org/category/ask-the-mla/. Frequently asked questions about using MLA style. Search for annotated bibliography.