For this assignment, you will create an annotated bibliography based on the instructions below that will serve as a foundation for your outline (also due at the end of this week). Please save your file in .doc or .docx format. Your annotated bibliography should be complete, your final document should be 400 words minimum (100 words per each of the 4 sources), and it should comply with MLA writing requirements.

*Students are encouraged to visit the following website before completing writing assignments. Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL): https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/purdue_owl.htmlLinks to an external site.

Instructions:

An annotated bibliography is a list of citations to books, articles, and other documents. Each citation must be followed by a brief descriptive and evaluative paragraph (the annotation). The annotations should each be at least 100 words long. The purpose of these descriptive paragraphs is to ensure the timeliness, point-of-view, relevance, accuracy, and quality of the sources you will use in your research paper. This process is designed to help you determine which sources will be valuable and which are irrelevant to your argument.

Find four (4) sources for this assignment that approach your topic in a variety of ways. Two (2) of your sources must be peer-reviewed scholarly sources from the McMillen Library. (Note: You may change these sources later if you find stronger sources to use.)
You may only use two (2) non-scholarly sources.
For each source, you must complete the following tasks:

Provide the correct MLA Works Cited citation for the source.
Briefly summarize the article, essay, website, or book.
Discuss specifically the timeliness and point-of-view of the source.
Discuss the limitations of the source, such as:
- What does this author leave out?
- Does this source tell both sides of the story?
Describe how you could use this text in your research paper.
- Will it be helpful?
- Will you only use one idea or rely heavily on this source?
- How, specifically, do you plan on using this information?
- What point will you be supporting with this evidence?
Compare or contrast the source with other texts in your annotated bibliography. In other words, put the source in dialogue with another source you have found. For example, if you were writing about climate change, you might find that you have chosen 2 sources about the effects of climate change on crops, 1 source about the history of climate change, and 1 sources about the effects of climate change on water levels.
- Do all the sources about the effects of climate change on crops cover the same facts? Probably not. So…what are the differences? Are there any important similarities?
Place the word count for the paragraph at the end.
Make sure your sources are arranged alphabetically.

Writing and Submission Instructions:

Save your documents with your “Last Name Assignment Title” (EX: Smith Annotated Bibliography).
Assignments must use MLA document formatting and citations, including your full name, the course number, and the assignment title in the upper-left corner; page numbers; and a title. See the following MLA sample essays: https://style.mla.org/formatting-papers/Links to an external site.and https://libguides.csudh.edu/citation/mlaLinks to an external site.
Assignments must fulfill all requirements and be proofread to be graded.
Word count: 400 words minimum and include at least 4 sources.

Websites with information on and samples of annotated bibliographies:

If you have any questions, please ask your professor.

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Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Your Annotated Bibliography

1. Choose Your Topic

Begin by selecting a topic for your research paper. This could be any subject related to your course or academic interest. The key is to pick a topic that allows you to find a diverse set of sources, including both scholarly and non-scholarly materials.

Example:
If your topic is “The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health,” you will need sources that approach the issue from psychological, sociological, and technological perspectives.

2. Select Your Sources

You will need four sources for your annotated bibliography:

Two peer-reviewed scholarly sources (accessed through your McMillen Library or other academic databases).
Two non-scholarly sources, such as articles, websites, or reports.

Make sure to choose diverse perspectives on your topic so that your bibliography includes various viewpoints and types of information.

3. Formatting and Citation (MLA Style)

Each source in your annotated bibliography should follow the MLA format. Here’s an example of how to cite a book and a journal article in MLA style:

Book:
Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year.
Journal Article:
Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Journal, vol. number, no. number, Year, pp. pages.

For more MLA formatting tips, refer to Purdue’s OWL or other MLA guides.

4. Writing Your Annotations

For each of your four sources, write a 100-word annotation (at least). This annotation should include the following points:

a. MLA Citation: Write the correct MLA citation for your source.
b. Summary: Briefly summarize the content of the source (2-3 sentences).
c. Timeliness & Point-of-View: Discuss when the source was published and its perspective (e.g., is it an opinion piece, a research study, etc.?).
d. Limitations: What does the author leave out? Does the source present both sides of the issue? Are there any biases present?
e. Usage in Your Research Paper: Explain how you plan to use this source in your paper. Will it help support your argument, provide background information, or offer a counterpoint?
f. Comparison with Other Sources: Compare this source with other sources in your bibliography. Do they agree or disagree? What additional insights does this source offer?
g. Word Count: At the end of each annotation, provide the word count of your paragraph.

5. Organize Alphabetically

Once you’ve written your annotations, arrange them alphabetically by the first author’s last name, following standard MLA formatting.

6. Review MLA Requirements

Before submitting, ensure your paper follows the MLA guidelines:

Your full name, course number, and assignment title in the upper-left corner.
Page numbers with your last name in the header.
Proper formatting for in-text citations, works cited, and bibliography.

7. Proofread and Submit

Read through your annotated bibliography to check for grammar, spelling, and formatting errors. Proofreading is essential to ensure your paper meets the required standards. After that, submit your annotated bibliography file in .doc or .docx format.

Additional Tips:

Use clear, academic language for your annotations. Avoid personal opinions or informal tone.
Be concise but thorough in your summaries.
Don’t forget to include all the necessary citations for each source.
If you’re unsure about MLA formatting or any specific rules, use the Purdue OWL or consult your professor for clarification.

By following this guide, you should be able to create a well-organized annotated bibliography that will serve as a strong foundation for your research paper. Good luck!

Creating an Annotated Bibliography