I WILL ATTACH MY WORKS CITED
This week, I’m asking you to choose five of those sources and write an annotated bibliography. An annotated bibliography is a works cited page that includes notes (annotations) under each entry. Your notes will consist of a paragraph of 200 – 300 words for each of the five sources. In each paragraph you will do the following:
Summarize the source–describe the main idea and the author’s methods of expressing that idea
Evaluate the source–use the questions at the bottom of this assignment to guide your evaluation
Discuss why and how you will use the source–what viewpoint will this source help you explore? which voice(s) does this source represent? how will this source fit into the overall conversation?
Questions to Consider for Evaluating a Source
Does the source have an easily identifiable author? If not, is there a good reason to use the source?
Does the source document its references? If not, is there a good reason to use the source?
Does the source offer valid information gathered in a non-biased way? If not, is there a good reason to use the source?
Does the source use solid evidence to support a reasoned argument? If not, is there a good reason to use the source?
Does the source clearly separate fact from opinion? If not, is there a good reason to use the source?
Does the source contain up-to-date research, or is it outdated? If so, is there a good reason to use the source?
Is there a clear context for using this source with this topic? If not, is there a good reason to use the source?
Does the source represent a major voice in the conversation about this topic? If not, is there a good reason to use the source?
Here is a sample annotated bibliography entry:
Smith, Joe. The Classroom Companion. McGraw-Hill. New York, 2017.
In the The Classroom Companion, Smith argues that teachers should use only the most traditional teaching techniques when teaching any subject, particularly writing. He calls for a return to diagramming sentences, studying Latin, and handwriting copies of great works of literature. In addition, he believes that all essays must be written about literature and should be written in class in a timed-writing situation. Furthermore, students should memorize classic speeches from literature, as well as great poems, and recite them regularly. All in all, Smith believes classic instruction techniques are the only proper way to teach writing. Smith carefully cites numerous sources, including ten of the top experts in pedagogy. His textbook has been listed on the top ten lists of several composition programs, and he is regularly a speaker at major writing conventions. While he spends a great deal of time focused on supporting his own argument, he does carefully acknowledge the work of people like Sandie Friedman, who consistently oppose his view. He gives these counterargument a fair amount of space and consideration, but he eventually dismisses them as weak approaches to teaching writing. Smith is an excellent source for my paper because he offers a strong voice of opposition to my own argument. I have several sources already that agree with me, but Smith is a well-respected, major presence in a view of teaching that opposes my argument in my paper; as such, it is important that I address his argument thoughtfully in my own paper.
