An annotated bibliography is a combination assignment: it blends MLA reference citations with paragraphs–or annotations–that help you, and your readers, make sense of the sources you cite. For this assignment, you will be asked to create annotations that summarize, assess, and reflect upon sources related to your research topic (See Assignment Guide). This process serves two purposes: it provides you with a broader perspective of your research topic, and it prompts you to develop your own point of view: your thesis.
Expectations
The annotated bibliography is a very valuable first-step in the research writing process, since it helps you:
Collect and organize source material
Practice MLA formatting
Think carefully and critically about source content
Evaluate source reliability and credibility
Determine source usefulness
Synthesize multiple sources
Decide if you need more sources
Develop a working thesis
Requirements
Length/Sources:
This assignment requires 5 reliable and credible sources with annotations. The minimum word count is 750 words total, with 150 words per source annotation. *If the minimum word count is not met, your assignment will be returned with no grade and a resubmission will be required.
Organization
Each of the five sources should include an annotation with the following four components: a citation, a summary paragraph, an assessment paragraph, and a reflection paragraph.
Category: Annotated Bibliography
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Title: Annotated Bibliography: Exploring Sources for [Research Topic]