The annotated bibliography is an assignment designed to help you formally and effectively prepare to write the final paper. The assignment consists of two, complimentary parts:
The Prospectus has several requirements:
- Summarize the controversy and pertinent issues. Summarize the debate and describe both sides of the argument as fairly as possible.
- Explain your side of the position using supportable ideas and not opinions. Do not use personal opinion, but rather state valid and sound reasons that you will later support with your research in the final paper.
- Explain why the issue is an important debate in our society. Why is it worth researching?
- State why the issue is personally important to you. Why did you choose the topic and what can you personally contribute to the debate?
Length Requirement: A single, continuous paragraph of about 250 words.
The Annotated Bibliography has several requirements:
- Correct MLA paper format for annotated bibliographies.
- A bibliographic citation for each source properly formatted in MLA style.
- An annotation that includes the following:
o A summary of the central theme and scope of the book or article
o An evaluation the authority or background of the author
o An analysis of the intended audience
o A comparison or contrast of this work with another you have cited
o An explanation of the source?s potential use in the final paper
Length Requirement: A citation and annotation for at least eight distinct sources. At least five of these must be academic sources (i.e. books or peer-reviewed journal articles). Each entry should be about 150 words.