Annotated Bibliographies

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Annotated Bibliographies
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Definitions

• Bibliography a list of sources (books, journals,
  websites, periodicals, etc.) one has used for
  researching a topic. Also known as References
  (APA) or Works Cited (MLA).
• Annotation is a summary and/or evaluation.

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So.

• An Annotated Bibliography is an organized list of
  sources which is followed by an annotation or
  description/evaluation of each item.

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Why do an Annotated Bibliography?

• To prepare for a research project
• It forces you to not just collect your sources
  but to read each source carefully.
• At a professional level, it allows you to see
  what has been done in the literature.

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Why?

• To help you formulate a thesis since it helps you
  gain a good perspective about your topic.
• To prove that you have done some valid research
  to back up your argument.
• It makes your work CREDIBLE.

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The Format

• The bibliographic information such as the title,
  author, publisher, date, etc. written in either
  MLA or APA format.
• The annotations are written in paragraph form.
  The lengths can vary from a couple of sentences
  to a couple of pages. But we will stick to about
  150 words.

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The Format (MLA)

• Title your annotated bibliography Annotated
  Bibliography or Annotated List of Works Cited.
• Arrange the citations in alphabetical order by
  the first element of the citation, usually the
  authors last name.
• Following MLA format, use a hanging indent for
  your bibliographic information. (This means the
  first line is NOT indented and all the other
  lines are indented four spaces).

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The Format (MLA) contd

• Begin your annotation immediately after the
  bibliographic information of the source ends
  dont skip a line down UNLESS you have been told
  to do so by your teacher.
• As with every other part of an MLA formatted
  essay, the bibliography is double spaced, both
  within the citation and between them. Do not add
  an extra line between the citations.
• To view these annotations with correct
  formatting, set your preferences so that the font
  size is 12 or medium

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The Format (APA)

• See the UNC Libraries citation tutorial for basic
  APA bibliography formatting and rules.
• Annotated bibliographies for APA format do not
  require a special title. Use the usual
  "References" designation.
• Like MLA, APA uses a hanging indent the first
  line is set flush with the left margin, and all
  other lines are indented four spaces (you may ask
  your instructor if it's okay to tab over instead
  of using four spaces).

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The Format (APA) contd

• Double space the entire page including between
  citations and annotations
• After the bibliographic citation, drop down to
  the next line to begin the annotation, but don't
  skip an extra line.
• The entire annotation is indented an additional
  two spaces, so that means each of its lines will
  be six spaces from the margin (if your instructor
  has said that it's okay to tab over instead of
  using the four spaces rule, indent the annotation
  two more spaces in from that point).
• For an additional example see Lesley Universitys
  page and click on the PDF.

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An example in MLA and APA format

• How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography
• Annotated Bibliographies Annotated Bibliography
  Samples - The OWL at Purdue

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Where to I start?

• Locate and record citations to books,
  periodicals, and documents that may contain
  useful information on your topic.
• Briefly examine and review the actual items.
• Choose those works that provide a variety of
  views on your topic and are from a variety of
  sources.
• Cite the book, article, or document using the
  appropriate style (MLA, APA etc.)
• Write a concise annotation that summarizes the
  general theme and scope of the book or article.

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What do I do in the annotation?

• Summarize
• What are the main arguments? What is the
  point of this book or article (thesis)? What
  topics are covered? If someone asked what this
  article/book is about, what would you say?
  Paraphrase.

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2. Assess

• After summarizing, you need to evaluate it. Is
  it a useful source? How does it compare with
  other sources in your bibliography? Is it
  current? Is the information reliable? Evaluate
  the methods (research) used.Is this source biased
  or objective? What is the goal of the source? Is
  the author credible?

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3. Reflect

• Also ask how it fits into your research. Was this
  source 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? Are there any relevant
  links to other work done in this area? Describe
  other items on a topic that may be of interest to
  the reader.

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Use the handout as a checklist!

• Keep the handout titled Critically Analyzing
  Information Sources in your binder and use it as
  a guide. The questions will prompt you to think
  about other points not mentioned in this
  presentation today.

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Other points

• Evaluate all websites carefully
• How do you know an author is credible?
• Where do you find out about how current the
  article may be?
• Which organization created the website?
• Is there bias? Is there a balanced point of view?

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Crash course in Evaluating the Web

• Google the author or organization.
• Scan the perimeter of the page. Read the About
  us or Contact tabs.
• Find out who else is linked to the page by
  typing, Link the URL, into Google.
• Is it peer-reviewed?
• Is there documentation of sources?

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More tips

• What is the purpose? Tone?
• What can the URL tell us? What is the domain?
  (.org, .biz, . Com) Is there a personal name
  () Who is the server?
• Use the handout Evaluating Websites as a guide.

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• http//www.mycoalproductions.com/cnn.html

• Is it the original? Has it been quoted out of
  context? Plagiarized?

• http//www.mycoalproductions.com/cnn.html

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Are the following websites for real???
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Consider the topic of Global Warming. Take a
brief look at all of the following sites

• Global Warming
• Global Warming Hoax
• Earthquakes and Global Warming
• Global Warming

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And these?

• http//www.preparingforemergencies.co.uk/index.htm
  (hoax)
• http//www.preparingforemergencies.gov.uk/ (real)
• http//www.malepregnancy.com/
• http//www.gatt.org or http//www.wto.org
• (for WTO)

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Hoaxes or not?

• Pregnancy test
• http//thepregnancytester.com/
• Genochoice
• http//genochoice.com/
• Bonsai Kitten
• http//www.shorty.com/bonsaikitten/
• Foot detox
• http//www.footbathdetox.com/
• Aluminum foil detector
• http//zapatopi.net/afdb/
• Pets or Food
• http//petsorfood.com/
• Clones
• http//www.d-b.net/dti/

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And finally!!!!!!

• If in doubt, leave it out!