Annotated Bibliography

1. Annotated Bibliography

2. The purpose of an annotation bibliography is • To learn about a particular topic • To demonstrate the value of a particular source • To show the direction in which your research and thesis will be formed Annotated Bibliographies

3. The format of an annotated bibliography can change depending on the assignment, but the typical format is a list of reference entries followed by annotations. • Alphabetized by author • No headings • Brief Annotated Bibliographies

4. Within each annotation, there are typically three elements: • Summary • Assessment / Critique • Reflection Annotated Bibliographies

5. Annotated Bibliographies Lamott, Anne. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. New York: Anchor Books, 1995. Print. 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. Lamottoffers 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. Rather than a practical handbook to producing and/or publishing, this text is indispensable because of its honest perspective, its down-to-earth humor, and its encouraging approach. 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.

6. Summary You will want to answer some or all the following questions: • What are the main arguments? • If someone asked what this source is about, what would you say? • What is the point of this source (book, article, etc.)? • What topics are covered? • What were the conclusions of the study? Annotated Bibliographies

7. How to approach a summary: • Similar to an abstract of a source written in your own words • In the past tense “The authors found…” Annotated Bibliographies

8. Example Summary: Annotated Bibliographies Lamott, Anne. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. New York: Anchor Books, 1995. Print. 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.

9. Assessment / Critique You will want to answer some or all the following questions: • Is it a useful source? • What are the strengths and weaknesses of the article? • Methodology, language choices, organization, level of detail • How does it compare with other sources in your bibliography? • Is the article scholarly or general in nature, thus is the source reliable • Is the source biased or objective • What is the goal of the source? Annotated Bibliographies

10. How to approach an Assessment / Critique: • Focus on strengths of the article or study • What would make your reader want to read this source? • Do not feel the need to be nice • Your reader will want to know if there are any deficiencies or areas for improvement Annotated Bibliographies

11. Example Critique/Analysis: 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. Rather than a practical handbook to producing and/or publishing, this text is indispensable because of its honest perspective, its down-to-earth humor, and its encouraging approach. Annotated Bibliographies

12. Reflection You will want to answer some or all the following questions: • How does the source fit into your research? • Was this source helpful to you? • How does it help you shape your area of focus or argument? • How can you use this source • Has it changed how you think about your topic? Annotated Bibliographies

13. How to approach the application: • Consider how you would justify the use of the source for your paper • How is this source different than others in the same field or on the same topic? • How does this source inform you’re the direction of your thesis/research? Annotated Bibliographies

14. Example Application: Chaptersinthistextcouldeasilybeincludedinthecurriculumfor awritingclass. Severalof thechaptersinPart1 addressthewritingprocessandwouldservetogenerate discussionon students’own draftingandrevisingprocesses.Someof thewritingexercises wouldalsobeappropriatefor generatingclassroomwritingexercises.Students shouldfindLamott’sstylebothengagingandenjoyable. These three elements create an annotation. Annotated Bibliographies

15. There are some unique characteristics of which to be aware regarding annotations: • No direct quotes • Your reader will want to hear your interpretation of the material • No other citations are necessary • Again this is your interpretation of the material thus outside sources are not necessary • No referrals to the first person • Be objective and removed in your description of the source Annotated Bibliographies