How to Create an Annotated Bibliography AP Language and Composition Synthesis Project

Source of information for this presentation: “Purdue Online Writing Lab.” Purdue OWL: Annotated Bibliographies, owl.english.purdue.edu /owl/resource/614/02/. This Purdue “OWL” site is an excellent source for your MLA questions, as is the MLA site. Source of information for this presentation:

What is an Annotated Bibliography? An annotated bibliography provides a brief account of the available research on a given topic. It is a list of research sources that includes concise descriptions and evaluations of each source. The annotation usually contains a brief summary of content and a short analysis or evaluation. However, the actual content depends on the assignment/class/teacher, and can vary. What is an Annotated Bibliography?

Lamott, Anne. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. Anchor Books, 1995. 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. 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. Annotated Bibliography entry example: (168-ish words here; should be completely double spaced [I ran out of room for double spacing])

Annotated Bibliography entry example explained: In the previous example, the writer includes two paragraphs: a summary and an evaluation of the text, respectively. Annotated Bibliography entry example explained:

What will your annotated bibliography look like? First, create an accurate citation for each of your sources. Use MLA 8 for this process. Don’t rely on an online citation-maker to complete this task for you. It is always best to create them by hand. Be sure you know what type of source each is and where you found it. Use the MLA online handbook or Purdue OWL for assistance. What will your annotated bibliography look like?

What will your annotation include? Second, write an annotation for each citation which describes and evaluates that particular source. Annotations are usually between 50 and 100 words long. Include the following information for each source: Brief summary of source: What are the main points? Overview of examples? What side of the issue is it addressing? Evaluate the source: Why did you choose it? Is it expository, persuasive, narrative, analytical, etc.? How will it be useful to someone responding to your question? Is it reliable or biased? How does it address the topic? What will your annotation include?

Reminders: Be sure to use MLA formatting for your Bibliography. Refer to the sample and the MLA handbook site for formatting questions. Ask if you don’t understand. Be sure to check for accurate double spacing. Reminders:

Annotated Bibliography Example

Create an Annotated Bibliography, individually, for all 10 of your sources. Assignment – Step #6: