ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHIES Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab OWL and the WDHS Library

DEFINITION “A Works Cited page (bibliography) is a list of sources used for researching a topic. An annotation is a summary and/or evaluation of those sources.” “A Works Cited page (bibliography) is a list of sources used for researching a topic. An annotation is a summary and/or evaluation of those sources.” Depending on your assignment, your annotation may do one or more of the following: Depending on your assignment, your annotation may do one or more of the following:

Summarize Some annotations merely summarize the source. 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? The length of your annotations will determine how detailed your summary is. Some annotations merely summarize the source. 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? The length of your annotations will determine how detailed your summary is.

Assess After summarizing a source, it may be helpful to evaluate it. Is it a useful source? How does it compare with other sources in your Works Cited page? Is the information reliable? Is this source biased? Objective? What is the goal of this source? After summarizing a source, it may be helpful to evaluate it. Is it a useful source? How does it compare with other sources in your Works Cited page? Is the information reliable? Is this source biased? Objective? What is the goal of this source?

Reflect Once you have summarized and assessed your source, you should ask how it fits into your research. Was it 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? Once you have summarized and assessed your source, you should ask how it fits into your research. Was it 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?

Your annotated Works Cited page may include some of these, or all of these. Your annotated Works Cited page may include some of these, or all of these. Check with your instructor for specific guidelines. Check with your instructor for specific guidelines.

AN EXAMPLE Holland, Suzanne. The Human Embryonic Stem Cell Debate: Science, Ethics, and Public Policy. Boston: MIT Press, Print.

THE ANNOTATION Holland’s book is an in depth study of current American government policy concerning the harvesting of embryonic stem cells, the scientific procedures involved, plus the ethical issues as presented by theologians, scientists, philosophers, and politicians. (This is a brief summary of what this book says about stem cell research.)

Continued... Suzanne Holland holds a PhD in bioethics at Harvard University, and is a member of the American Medical Association Bioethics Committee. Her book is current, factual, and comprehensive. She successfully offers all sides of the argument, and has included the opinions of eminent scholars in the field. Holland has thoroughly documented her facts, especially the science of the research, with numerous citations to her sources. (This is your assessment of the book.)

THE FINAL BIT... The Human Embryonic Stem Cell Debate: Science Ethics and Public Policy was very helpful in several ways. First, the information was current. Second, the presentation was balanced and unbiased. As the thesis of this paper attempts to support the use of embryonic cells, there was clear information from experts to support the argument. Similarly, the opposing view was helpful in presenting counter arguments. The only weakness of this book, was the scholarly writing style. The scientific and medical terms were often difficult to understand. (This is your reflection on the work.)

SUMMARIZE SUMMARIZE ASSESS ASSESS REFLECT REFLECT

Structure Follow the normal rules for a Works Cited page Follow the normal rules for a Works Cited page The annotation follows the citation The annotation follows the citation Normally, all lines are double spaced but the annotation is single spaced Normally, all lines are double spaced but the annotation is single spaced Be concise and brief but informative Be concise and brief but informative

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

Works Cited Bisignani, Dana, and Allen Brizee. “Annotated Bibliographies.” Purdue Online Writing Lab. Perdue University, Web. 10 February