{"id":1134,"date":"2017-10-09T16:52:01","date_gmt":"2017-10-09T16:52:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-jeffersoncc-styleguide\/?post_type=chapter&p=1134"},"modified":"2017-10-18T16:24:03","modified_gmt":"2017-10-18T16:24:03","slug":"the-working-bibliography-exercise","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-jeffersoncc-styleguide\/chapter\/the-working-bibliography-exercise\/","title":{"raw":"The Annotated Bibliography Exercise","rendered":"The Annotated Bibliography Exercise"},"content":{"raw":"

The Annotated Bibliography Exercise<\/h2>\r\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0What is an Annotated Bibliography?<\/div>\r\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Why Write Annotated Bibliographies?<\/div>\r\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHow many sources do I need?\u201d<\/div>\r\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Using Computers to Write Annotated Bibliographies<\/div>\r\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The Process of Writing the Annotated Bibliography<\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0*\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A Sample Assignment<\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0*\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The Annotated Bibliography and Collaboration<\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0*\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Questions to Ask while Writing and Researching<\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0*\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Review and Revision<\/div>\r\n

What is an Annotated Bibliography?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
As you develop a working thesis for your research project and begin to collect different pieces of evidence, you will soon find yourself needing some sort of system for keeping track of everything. \u00a0The system discussed in this chapter is an annotated bibliography, which is a list of sources on a particular topic that includes a brief summary of what each source is about. This writing exercise is a bit different from the others in this part of The Process of Research Writing in that isn\u2019t an \u201cessay\u201d per se; rather it is an ongoing writing project that you will be \u201cbuilding\u201d as you discover new pieces of evidence for your research project.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
Here is an example of an entry from an annotated bibliography in MLA style:<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
Parsons, Matt. \u201cProtecting Children on the Electronic Frontier: \u00a0A Law Enforcement Challenge.\u201d FBI Law<\/div>\r\n
Enforcement Bulletin 69.10 (2000): 22-26.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
This article is about an educational program used by the U.S. Navy to educate people in the Navy and their families about some of the things that are potentially dangerous to children about the Internet. \u00a0Parsons says that the educational program has been effective.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
Annotated bibliography entries have two parts. \u00a0The top of the entry is the citation. \u00a0It is the part that starts \u201cParsons, Matt\u2019\u201d and that lists information like the name of the writer, where the evidence appeared, the date of publication, and other publishing information.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
The second part of the entry is the summary of the evidence being cited. \u00a0A good annotated bibliography summary provides enough information in a sentence or two to help you and others understand what the research is about in a neutral and non-opinionated way.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
The first two sentences of this annotation are an example of this sort of very brief, \u201cjust the facts\u201d sort of summary. \u00a0 In the brief summaries of entries in an annotated bibliography, stay away from making evaluations about the source\u2014\u201cI didn\u2019t like this article very much\u201d or \u201cI thought this article was great.\u201d \u00a0The most important goal of your brief summary is to help you, colleagues, and other potential readers get an idea about the subject of the particular piece of evidence.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
Summaries can be challenging to write, especially when you are trying to write them about longer and more complicated sources of research. \u00a0Keep these guidelines in mind as you write your own summaries.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Keep your summary short. \u00a0Good summaries for annotated bibliographies are not \u201ccomplete\u201d summaries; rather, they provide the highlights of the evidence in as brief and concise a manner as possible, no more than a sentence or two.<\/div>\r\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Don\u2019t quote from what you are summarizing. \u00a0Summaries will be more useful to you and your colleagues if you write them in your own words. \u00a0Instead of quoting directly what you think is the point of the piece of evidence, try to paraphrase it. \u00a0(For more information on paraphrasing your evidence, see Chapter 3, \u201cQuoting, Paraphrasing, and Avoiding Plagiarism\u201d).<\/div>\r\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Don\u2019t \u201ccut and paste\u201d from database abstracts. \u00a0Many of the periodical indexes that are available as part of your library\u2019s computer system include abstracts of articles. \u00a0Do no \u201ccut\u201d this abstract material and then \u201cpaste\u201d it into your own annotated bibliography. \u00a0For one thing, this is plagiarism. \u00a0Second, \u201ccutting and pasting\u201d from the abstract defeats one of the purposes of writing summaries and creating an annotated bibliography in the first place, which is to help you understand and explain your research.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
Different writers will inevitably write slightly different summaries of the same evidence. Some differences between different writers\u2019 summaries of the same piece of evidence result from different interpretations of what it important in the research; there\u2019s nothing wrong with that.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
However, two summaries from different writers should both provide a similar summary. \u00a0In other words, its not acceptable when the difference of interpretation is the result of a lack of understanding of the evidence.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n

Why Write Annotated Bibliographies?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
An annotated bibliography is an excellent way to keep track of the research you gather for your project. \u00a0Make no mistake about it\u2014 it is extremely important that you keep track of all of your evidence for your research project, and that you keep track of it from the beginning of the process of research writing.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than finding an excellent article or book chapter you are excited about incorporating into your research project, only to realize you have forgotten where you found the article or book chapter in the first place. \u00a0This is extremely frustrating, and it\u2019s easily avoided by doing something like writing an annotated bibliography.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
You could use other methods for keeping track of your research. \u00a0For example, you could use note cards and write down the source information as a proper citation, then write down the information about the source that is important. \u00a0If the material you know you want to use from a certain source is short enough, you might even write a direct quote, which is where you write down word for word what the source says exactly as it is written. \u00a0At other times, you can write a paraphrase, which is where you write down what the source means using your own words.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
While note cards and other methods have their advantages, annotated bibliographies are an extremely useful tool for keeping track of your research. \u00a0An annotated bibliography:<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Centralizes your research into one document that you can keep track of both as a print-out of a word-processed file and as a file you save electronically.<\/div>\r\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Allows you to \u201ccopy and paste\u201d citation information into the works cited part of your research project.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
An annotated bibliography also gives you the space to start writing and thinking a bit about how some of your research might fit into your project. \u00a0Consider these two sample entries from an annotated bibliography from a research project on pharmaceutical advertising:<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
Siegel, Marc. \u00a0\u201cFighting the Drug (ad) Wars.\u201d The Nation 17 June 2002: \u00a021.<\/div>\r\n
Siegel, who is a doctor himself, writes about how drug advertising has undermined the communication between doctors and patients. \u00a0He says that drug ads have driven up the costs of prescription drugs, particularly big selling drugs like those for cholesterol.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
Wechsler, Jill. \u00a0\u201cMinority Docs See DTC Ads as Way to Address \u2018Race Gap.\u2019\u201d Pharmaceutical Executive \u00a0May 2002:<\/div>\r\n
32, 34. WilsonSelect Database. Eastern Michigan University Halle Library. 20 October 2002. http:\/\/www.emich.edu<\/div>\r\n
\/halle.<\/div>\r\n
This article is about a study that said that African-American doctors saw advertising of prescription drugs as a way of educating their patients. \u00a0The ads are useful because they talk about diseases that affect African-Americans.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
Even from the limited amount of information available in these entries, it\u2019s clear that a relationship between these articles exists. \u00a0Both are similar articles about how the doctor\/patient relationship is affected by drug advertising. \u00a0But both are also different. \u00a0The first article is from the newspaper The Nation, which is in many ways similar to an academic journal and which is also known for its liberal views. \u00a0The second article is from a trade journal (also similar to academic journals in many ways) that obviously is an advocate for the pharmaceutical industry.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
In other words, in the process of compiling an annotated bibliography, you are doing more than keeping track of your research. \u00a0You are starting to make some comparisons and beginning to see some relationships between your evidence, a process that will become increasingly important as you gather more research and work your way through the different exercises that lead to the research project.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
But remember: \u00a0However you decide to keep track of your research as you progress through your project\u2014annotated bibliography, note cards, or another method\u2014the important thing is that you need to keep track of your research as you progress through your project!<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
How many sources do I need?<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
Inevitably, students in research writing classes always ask how many sources they need to include in their research projects. \u00a0In one sense, \u201chow many sources do I need?\u201d is a utilitarian question, one usually attached to a student\u2019s exploration of what it will take to get a particular grade. \u00a0Considered more abstractly, this question is also an effort to explore the scope of a research project. \u00a0Like a certain page or word count requirement, the question \u201chow many sources do I need?\u201d is an effort to get a handle on the scope of the research project assignment. \u00a0In that sense, asking about the number of sources is probably a good idea, a little like asking how much something weighs before you attempt to pick it up.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
But ultimately, there is no right or wrong answer to this question. \u00a0Longer research projects tend to have evidence from more different sources than shorter projects, but there is no cut-and-dry formula where \u201cX\u201d number of pages will equal \u201cX\u201d number of sources.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
However, an annotated bibliography should contain significantly more entries than you intend or expect to include in your research project. \u00a0For example, if you think you will need or if your instructor requires you to have research from about seven different sources, you should probably have about 15 different entries on your annotated bibliography.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
The reasons you need to find twice as many sources as you are likely to use is that you want to find and use the best research you can reasonably find, not the first pieces of research you can find. Usually, researchers have to look at a lot more information than they would ever include in a research writing project to begin making judgements about their research. \u00a0And by far the worst thing you can do in your research is to stop right after you have found the number of sources required by the instructor for your project.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
Using Computers to Write Annotated Bibliographies<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
Personal computers, word-processing software, and the Internet can make putting together an annotated bibliography more useful and a lot easier. \u00a0If you use word-processing software to create your annotated bibliography, you can dramatically simplify the process of creating a \u201cworks cited\u201d or \u201creferences\u201d page, which is a list of the sources you quote in your research project. \u00a0All you will have to do is \u201ccopy and paste\u201d the citation from the annotated bibliography into your research project\u2014that is, using the functions of your computer and word processing software, \u201ccopy\u201d the full citation that you have completed on your annotated bibliography page and \u201cpaste\u201d it into the works cited page of your research project.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
This same sort of \u201ccopy and paste\u201d function also comes in handy when doing research on the web. \u00a0For example, you can usually copy and paste the citation information from your library\u2019s online database for pieces of evidence you are interested in reading. \u00a0In most cases, you should be able to \u201ccopy and paste\u201d information you find in your library\u2019s online database into a word processing file. \u00a0 Many library databases\u2014both for books and for periodicals\u2014also have a feature that will allow you to email yourself results from a search.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
Keep two things in mind about using computers for your annotated bibliographies:<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0You will have to reformat whatever information you get from the Internet or your library\u2019s databases in order to meet MLA or APA style.<\/div>\r\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Don\u2019t use the copy and paste feature to plagiarize! \u00a0Simply copying things like abstracts defeats one of the important purposes for writing an annotated bibliography in the first place, and it\u2019s cheating.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n

Assignment: Writing an Annotated Bibliography<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
As you conduct your research for your research writing project, compile an annotated bibliography with 15-20 entries. \u00a0Each entry in your annotated bibliography should contain a citation, a brief summary of the cited material. \u00a0You will be completing the project in phases and a complete and revised version of it will be due when you have completed your research.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
You should think of your annotated bibliography as having roughly twice as many sources as the number of sources you will need to include for the research project, but your instructor might have a different requirement regarding the number of sources required.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
Also, you should work on this assignment in parts. \u00a0Going to the library and trying to complete this assignment in one sitting could turn this into a dreadful writing experience. However, if you complete it in stages, you will have a much better understanding of how your resources relate to each other.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
You will probably need to discuss with your instructor the style of citation you need to follow for your research project and your annotated bibliography. \u00a0Following a citation style isn\u2019t difficult to do, but you will want to be consistent and aware of the \u201crules\u201d from the beginning. \u00a0In other words, if you start off using MLA style, don\u2019t switch to APA style halfway through your annotated bibliography or your research project.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
Last, but not least, you will need to discuss with your instructor the sorts of materials you need to include in your research and your annotated bibliography. \u00a0You may be required to include a balance of research from scholarly and non-scholarly sources, and from \u201ctraditional\u201d print resources (books, magazines, journals, newspapers, and so forth) and the Internet.<\/div>\r\n

Questions to ask while writing and researching<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Would you classify the material as a primary or a secondary source? \u00a0Does the research seem to be difficult to categorize this way? (For more information on primary and secondary sources, see Chapter 1, \u201cThinking Critically About Research\u201d and the section \u201cPrimary versus Secondary Research\u201d).<\/div>\r\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Is the research from a scholarly or a non-scholarly publication? \u00a0Does the research seem difficult to categorize this way?<\/div>\r\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Is the research from the Internet\u2014a web page, a newsgroup, an email message, etc.? \u00a0Remember: \u00a0while Internet research is not necessarily \u201cbad\u201d research, you do need to be more careful in evaluating the credibility of Internet-based sources. (For more information on evaluating Internet research, see Chapter 1, \u201cThinking Critically About Research,\u201d and the sections \u201cThe Internet: \u00a0The Researcher\u2019s Challenge\u201d and \u201cEvaluating the Quality and Credibility of Your Research.\u201d<\/div>\r\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Do you know who wrote the material you are including in your annotated bibliography? \u00a0What qualifications does your source say the writer has?<\/div>\r\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Why do you think the writer wrote it? \u00a0Do they have a self-interest or a political viewpoint that might make them overly biased?<\/div>\r\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Besides the differences between scholarly, non-scholarly, and Internet sources, what else do you know about where your research was published? \u00a0Is it an academic book? \u00a0An article in a respected journal? \u00a0An article in a news magazine or newspaper?<\/div>\r\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0When was it published? \u00a0Given your research topic, how important do you think the date of publication is?<\/div>\r\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Are you keeping your summaries brief and to the point, focusing on the point your research source is trying to make?<\/div>\r\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0If it\u2019s part of the assignment, are you including a sentence or two about how you see this piece of research fitting into your overall research project?<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
Revision and Review<\/div>\r\n
Because of its ongoing nature, revising an annotated bibliography is a bit different than the typical revision process. Take opportunities as you compile your annotated bibliography to show your work in progress to your classmates, your instructor, and other readers you trust. \u00a0If you are working collaboratively on your research projects, you will certainly want to share your annotated bibliography with classmates who are working on a similar topic. \u00a0Working together like this can be a very useful way to get more ideas about where your research is going.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
It is best to approach the annotated bibliography in smaller steps\u2014five or six entries at a time. \u00a0If that\u2019s how you\u2019re approaching this project, then you will always be in a process of revision and review with your classmates and your instructor. \u00a0You and your readers (your instructor and your classmates) should think about these questions as you revise, review, and add entries:<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Are the summaries you are including brief and to the point? \u00a0Do your readers understand what the cited articles are about?<\/div>\r\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Are you following a particular style guide consistently?<\/div>\r\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0If you are including a sentence or two about each of your resources, how do these sentences fit with your working thesis? \u00a0Are they clarifying parts of your working thesis that were previously unclear? \u00a0Are they suggesting changes to the approach you took when you began the research process?<\/div>\r\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Based on the research you have so far, what other types of research do<\/div>\r\n
you think you need to find?<\/div>","rendered":"

The Annotated Bibliography Exercise<\/h2>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0What is an Annotated Bibliography?<\/div>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Why Write Annotated Bibliographies?<\/div>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHow many sources do I need?\u201d<\/div>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Using Computers to Write Annotated Bibliographies<\/div>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The Process of Writing the Annotated Bibliography<\/div>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0*\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A Sample Assignment<\/div>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0*\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The Annotated Bibliography and Collaboration<\/div>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0*\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Questions to Ask while Writing and Researching<\/div>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0*\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Review and Revision<\/div>\n

What is an Annotated Bibliography?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
As you develop a working thesis for your research project and begin to collect different pieces of evidence, you will soon find yourself needing some sort of system for keeping track of everything. \u00a0The system discussed in this chapter is an annotated bibliography, which is a list of sources on a particular topic that includes a brief summary of what each source is about. This writing exercise is a bit different from the others in this part of The Process of Research Writing in that isn\u2019t an \u201cessay\u201d per se; rather it is an ongoing writing project that you will be \u201cbuilding\u201d as you discover new pieces of evidence for your research project.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Here is an example of an entry from an annotated bibliography in MLA style:<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Parsons, Matt. \u201cProtecting Children on the Electronic Frontier: \u00a0A Law Enforcement Challenge.\u201d FBI Law<\/div>\n
Enforcement Bulletin 69.10 (2000): 22-26.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
This article is about an educational program used by the U.S. Navy to educate people in the Navy and their families about some of the things that are potentially dangerous to children about the Internet. \u00a0Parsons says that the educational program has been effective.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Annotated bibliography entries have two parts. \u00a0The top of the entry is the citation. \u00a0It is the part that starts \u201cParsons, Matt\u2019\u201d and that lists information like the name of the writer, where the evidence appeared, the date of publication, and other publishing information.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The second part of the entry is the summary of the evidence being cited. \u00a0A good annotated bibliography summary provides enough information in a sentence or two to help you and others understand what the research is about in a neutral and non-opinionated way.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The first two sentences of this annotation are an example of this sort of very brief, \u201cjust the facts\u201d sort of summary. \u00a0 In the brief summaries of entries in an annotated bibliography, stay away from making evaluations about the source\u2014\u201cI didn\u2019t like this article very much\u201d or \u201cI thought this article was great.\u201d \u00a0The most important goal of your brief summary is to help you, colleagues, and other potential readers get an idea about the subject of the particular piece of evidence.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Summaries can be challenging to write, especially when you are trying to write them about longer and more complicated sources of research. \u00a0Keep these guidelines in mind as you write your own summaries.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Keep your summary short. \u00a0Good summaries for annotated bibliographies are not \u201ccomplete\u201d summaries; rather, they provide the highlights of the evidence in as brief and concise a manner as possible, no more than a sentence or two.<\/div>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Don\u2019t quote from what you are summarizing. \u00a0Summaries will be more useful to you and your colleagues if you write them in your own words. \u00a0Instead of quoting directly what you think is the point of the piece of evidence, try to paraphrase it. \u00a0(For more information on paraphrasing your evidence, see Chapter 3, \u201cQuoting, Paraphrasing, and Avoiding Plagiarism\u201d).<\/div>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Don\u2019t \u201ccut and paste\u201d from database abstracts. \u00a0Many of the periodical indexes that are available as part of your library\u2019s computer system include abstracts of articles. \u00a0Do no \u201ccut\u201d this abstract material and then \u201cpaste\u201d it into your own annotated bibliography. \u00a0For one thing, this is plagiarism. \u00a0Second, \u201ccutting and pasting\u201d from the abstract defeats one of the purposes of writing summaries and creating an annotated bibliography in the first place, which is to help you understand and explain your research.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Different writers will inevitably write slightly different summaries of the same evidence. Some differences between different writers\u2019 summaries of the same piece of evidence result from different interpretations of what it important in the research; there\u2019s nothing wrong with that.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
However, two summaries from different writers should both provide a similar summary. \u00a0In other words, its not acceptable when the difference of interpretation is the result of a lack of understanding of the evidence.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

Why Write Annotated Bibliographies?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
An annotated bibliography is an excellent way to keep track of the research you gather for your project. \u00a0Make no mistake about it\u2014 it is extremely important that you keep track of all of your evidence for your research project, and that you keep track of it from the beginning of the process of research writing.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than finding an excellent article or book chapter you are excited about incorporating into your research project, only to realize you have forgotten where you found the article or book chapter in the first place. \u00a0This is extremely frustrating, and it\u2019s easily avoided by doing something like writing an annotated bibliography.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
You could use other methods for keeping track of your research. \u00a0For example, you could use note cards and write down the source information as a proper citation, then write down the information about the source that is important. \u00a0If the material you know you want to use from a certain source is short enough, you might even write a direct quote, which is where you write down word for word what the source says exactly as it is written. \u00a0At other times, you can write a paraphrase, which is where you write down what the source means using your own words.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
While note cards and other methods have their advantages, annotated bibliographies are an extremely useful tool for keeping track of your research. \u00a0An annotated bibliography:<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Centralizes your research into one document that you can keep track of both as a print-out of a word-processed file and as a file you save electronically.<\/div>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Allows you to \u201ccopy and paste\u201d citation information into the works cited part of your research project.<\/div>\n
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An annotated bibliography also gives you the space to start writing and thinking a bit about how some of your research might fit into your project. \u00a0Consider these two sample entries from an annotated bibliography from a research project on pharmaceutical advertising:<\/div>\n
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Siegel, Marc. \u00a0\u201cFighting the Drug (ad) Wars.\u201d The Nation 17 June 2002: \u00a021.<\/div>\n
Siegel, who is a doctor himself, writes about how drug advertising has undermined the communication between doctors and patients. \u00a0He says that drug ads have driven up the costs of prescription drugs, particularly big selling drugs like those for cholesterol.<\/div>\n
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Wechsler, Jill. \u00a0\u201cMinority Docs See DTC Ads as Way to Address \u2018Race Gap.\u2019\u201d Pharmaceutical Executive \u00a0May 2002:<\/div>\n
32, 34. WilsonSelect Database. Eastern Michigan University Halle Library. 20 October 2002. http:\/\/www.emich.edu<\/div>\n
\/halle.<\/div>\n
This article is about a study that said that African-American doctors saw advertising of prescription drugs as a way of educating their patients. \u00a0The ads are useful because they talk about diseases that affect African-Americans.<\/div>\n
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Even from the limited amount of information available in these entries, it\u2019s clear that a relationship between these articles exists. \u00a0Both are similar articles about how the doctor\/patient relationship is affected by drug advertising. \u00a0But both are also different. \u00a0The first article is from the newspaper The Nation, which is in many ways similar to an academic journal and which is also known for its liberal views. \u00a0The second article is from a trade journal (also similar to academic journals in many ways) that obviously is an advocate for the pharmaceutical industry.<\/div>\n
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In other words, in the process of compiling an annotated bibliography, you are doing more than keeping track of your research. \u00a0You are starting to make some comparisons and beginning to see some relationships between your evidence, a process that will become increasingly important as you gather more research and work your way through the different exercises that lead to the research project.<\/div>\n
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But remember: \u00a0However you decide to keep track of your research as you progress through your project\u2014annotated bibliography, note cards, or another method\u2014the important thing is that you need to keep track of your research as you progress through your project!<\/div>\n
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How many sources do I need?<\/div>\n
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Inevitably, students in research writing classes always ask how many sources they need to include in their research projects. \u00a0In one sense, \u201chow many sources do I need?\u201d is a utilitarian question, one usually attached to a student\u2019s exploration of what it will take to get a particular grade. \u00a0Considered more abstractly, this question is also an effort to explore the scope of a research project. \u00a0Like a certain page or word count requirement, the question \u201chow many sources do I need?\u201d is an effort to get a handle on the scope of the research project assignment. \u00a0In that sense, asking about the number of sources is probably a good idea, a little like asking how much something weighs before you attempt to pick it up.<\/div>\n
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But ultimately, there is no right or wrong answer to this question. \u00a0Longer research projects tend to have evidence from more different sources than shorter projects, but there is no cut-and-dry formula where \u201cX\u201d number of pages will equal \u201cX\u201d number of sources.<\/div>\n
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However, an annotated bibliography should contain significantly more entries than you intend or expect to include in your research project. \u00a0For example, if you think you will need or if your instructor requires you to have research from about seven different sources, you should probably have about 15 different entries on your annotated bibliography.<\/div>\n
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The reasons you need to find twice as many sources as you are likely to use is that you want to find and use the best research you can reasonably find, not the first pieces of research you can find. Usually, researchers have to look at a lot more information than they would ever include in a research writing project to begin making judgements about their research. \u00a0And by far the worst thing you can do in your research is to stop right after you have found the number of sources required by the instructor for your project.<\/div>\n
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Using Computers to Write Annotated Bibliographies<\/div>\n
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Personal computers, word-processing software, and the Internet can make putting together an annotated bibliography more useful and a lot easier. \u00a0If you use word-processing software to create your annotated bibliography, you can dramatically simplify the process of creating a \u201cworks cited\u201d or \u201creferences\u201d page, which is a list of the sources you quote in your research project. \u00a0All you will have to do is \u201ccopy and paste\u201d the citation from the annotated bibliography into your research project\u2014that is, using the functions of your computer and word processing software, \u201ccopy\u201d the full citation that you have completed on your annotated bibliography page and \u201cpaste\u201d it into the works cited page of your research project.<\/div>\n
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This same sort of \u201ccopy and paste\u201d function also comes in handy when doing research on the web. \u00a0For example, you can usually copy and paste the citation information from your library\u2019s online database for pieces of evidence you are interested in reading. \u00a0In most cases, you should be able to \u201ccopy and paste\u201d information you find in your library\u2019s online database into a word processing file. \u00a0 Many library databases\u2014both for books and for periodicals\u2014also have a feature that will allow you to email yourself results from a search.<\/div>\n
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Keep two things in mind about using computers for your annotated bibliographies:<\/div>\n
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\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0You will have to reformat whatever information you get from the Internet or your library\u2019s databases in order to meet MLA or APA style.<\/div>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Don\u2019t use the copy and paste feature to plagiarize! \u00a0Simply copying things like abstracts defeats one of the important purposes for writing an annotated bibliography in the first place, and it\u2019s cheating.<\/div>\n
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Assignment: Writing an Annotated Bibliography<\/strong><\/h3>\n
As you conduct your research for your research writing project, compile an annotated bibliography with 15-20 entries. \u00a0Each entry in your annotated bibliography should contain a citation, a brief summary of the cited material. \u00a0You will be completing the project in phases and a complete and revised version of it will be due when you have completed your research.<\/div>\n
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You should think of your annotated bibliography as having roughly twice as many sources as the number of sources you will need to include for the research project, but your instructor might have a different requirement regarding the number of sources required.<\/div>\n
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Also, you should work on this assignment in parts. \u00a0Going to the library and trying to complete this assignment in one sitting could turn this into a dreadful writing experience. However, if you complete it in stages, you will have a much better understanding of how your resources relate to each other.<\/div>\n
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You will probably need to discuss with your instructor the style of citation you need to follow for your research project and your annotated bibliography. \u00a0Following a citation style isn\u2019t difficult to do, but you will want to be consistent and aware of the \u201crules\u201d from the beginning. \u00a0In other words, if you start off using MLA style, don\u2019t switch to APA style halfway through your annotated bibliography or your research project.<\/div>\n
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Last, but not least, you will need to discuss with your instructor the sorts of materials you need to include in your research and your annotated bibliography. \u00a0You may be required to include a balance of research from scholarly and non-scholarly sources, and from \u201ctraditional\u201d print resources (books, magazines, journals, newspapers, and so forth) and the Internet.<\/div>\n

Questions to ask while writing and researching<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Would you classify the material as a primary or a secondary source? \u00a0Does the research seem to be difficult to categorize this way? (For more information on primary and secondary sources, see Chapter 1, \u201cThinking Critically About Research\u201d and the section \u201cPrimary versus Secondary Research\u201d).<\/div>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Is the research from a scholarly or a non-scholarly publication? \u00a0Does the research seem difficult to categorize this way?<\/div>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Is the research from the Internet\u2014a web page, a newsgroup, an email message, etc.? \u00a0Remember: \u00a0while Internet research is not necessarily \u201cbad\u201d research, you do need to be more careful in evaluating the credibility of Internet-based sources. (For more information on evaluating Internet research, see Chapter 1, \u201cThinking Critically About Research,\u201d and the sections \u201cThe Internet: \u00a0The Researcher\u2019s Challenge\u201d and \u201cEvaluating the Quality and Credibility of Your Research.\u201d<\/div>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Do you know who wrote the material you are including in your annotated bibliography? \u00a0What qualifications does your source say the writer has?<\/div>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Why do you think the writer wrote it? \u00a0Do they have a self-interest or a political viewpoint that might make them overly biased?<\/div>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Besides the differences between scholarly, non-scholarly, and Internet sources, what else do you know about where your research was published? \u00a0Is it an academic book? \u00a0An article in a respected journal? \u00a0An article in a news magazine or newspaper?<\/div>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0When was it published? \u00a0Given your research topic, how important do you think the date of publication is?<\/div>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Are you keeping your summaries brief and to the point, focusing on the point your research source is trying to make?<\/div>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0If it\u2019s part of the assignment, are you including a sentence or two about how you see this piece of research fitting into your overall research project?<\/div>\n
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Revision and Review<\/div>\n
Because of its ongoing nature, revising an annotated bibliography is a bit different than the typical revision process. Take opportunities as you compile your annotated bibliography to show your work in progress to your classmates, your instructor, and other readers you trust. \u00a0If you are working collaboratively on your research projects, you will certainly want to share your annotated bibliography with classmates who are working on a similar topic. \u00a0Working together like this can be a very useful way to get more ideas about where your research is going.<\/div>\n
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It is best to approach the annotated bibliography in smaller steps\u2014five or six entries at a time. \u00a0If that\u2019s how you\u2019re approaching this project, then you will always be in a process of revision and review with your classmates and your instructor. \u00a0You and your readers (your instructor and your classmates) should think about these questions as you revise, review, and add entries:<\/div>\n
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\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Are the summaries you are including brief and to the point? \u00a0Do your readers understand what the cited articles are about?<\/div>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Are you following a particular style guide consistently?<\/div>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0If you are including a sentence or two about each of your resources, how do these sentences fit with your working thesis? \u00a0Are they clarifying parts of your working thesis that were previously unclear? \u00a0Are they suggesting changes to the approach you took when you began the research process?<\/div>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Based on the research you have so far, what other types of research do<\/div>\n
you think you need to find?<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t
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Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
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CC licensed content, Shared previously<\/div>