Assignment 2b: Annotated Bibliography
Background
This assignment builds upon the summary skills developed in Assignment 1 and the scholarly conversational skills in Assignment 2a. In Assignment 1 you summarized one item. In Assignment 2a, you selected three scholarly sources to support an argument, using these in a simulated conversation. This assignment builds on the previous two because now you will:
- Explain your research question, which was developed in simulated conversation in assignment 2a.
- Summarize three scholarly sources, emphasizing the information that will best bolster your argument.
- Specify how these sources ‘speak’ to one another or, in other words, explain in what way the perspectives from each source align or do not. Think of ‘knowledge maps’ from Giltrow (2002) and what position each source occupies on this metaphorical ‘map’.
- Critically evaluate these sources.
An annotated bibliography is, in essence, a Reference page (the bibliography) that includes a summary and critical evaluation (annotation) with each source. The purpose of this assignment is fivefold: first, to clarify your research question, second, to assess your sources. You are also expected to demonstrate the value of each source to your project, describe the stance these sources take in comparison with each other, and finally, to illustrate the part they will play in shaping your argument for the final essay (Assignment 2c).
Required Components
Research Question
This question will have been refined through assignment 2a. The question should be specific, precise, and enable you to take a position relative your sources.
Three Credible Sources (with complete and correct APA-style reference citations)
From your research, identify three sources that will help you to answer your research question. Your sources must be credible and meet the STAR quality criteria. Credible sources can include information from Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers, peer-reviewed articles and other scholarly texts, data from government websites, and other authoritative sources. Provide an APA-style reference citation for each source—reference citations must be correctly formatted for the type of source selected. The document must also conform to APA style formatting.
For each source, provide an annotation that includes:
Summary of main argument and key details
Each annotation should concisely summarize the main point and supporting details in the source, allowing your reader to ascertain its relevance to your research question. Make use of signal phrases to describe the information in each source.
Identification of source type and location
Each annotation must identify the type of source (for example: Indigenous knowledge, peer-reviewed academic article, authoritative statistics, etc.) and the “container” where the source is located, or where you found it (such as an academic journal, textbook, or government website).
Analysis of ‘knowledge positions’
Each annotation must explain how the source’s perspective aligns with or departs from the other sources. Do the sources cite one another? State this. In what way are they cited—for support? Critically? Specify this, too. Even if the sources are not in explicit conversation, they occupy positions on the metaphorical ‘map’ of knowledge and, therefore, connections can still be drawn between them. Draw these connections.
Explanation of how the source is useful to your essay
Each annotation must clearly explain why you selected the source and how you will use it to support your own ideas and arguments in your Assignment 2b essay draft. Avoid simply summarizing the purpose of the source as though its merits are evident to your reader—you should be able to decisively describe how the source fits in with your argument.
Instructions
- Review the assignment instructions. Read these instructions in detail, as well as the instructions for the Critical Analysis Essay (Assignment 2c), and ensure you contact the instructor with any questions not answered in the course materials. In addition, consult the NorQuest Library’s guide to research. These instructions should guide the format and organization of your annotated bibliography.
- Reflect on your conversation from assignment 2a, and make sure your research question is argumentative. An argument is a statement that is not apparently true, but can be proved based on synthesizing information. It requires evidence and explanation. A non-argumentative statement is, “it is important to conserve water”. An argument is:
“Based on past water consumption [evidence #1] and predicted future demands [evidence #2], and exacerbated by a changing climate [evidence #3], water will be in short supply in the American mid-west by the year 2040 [conclusion #1]. Because the privatization of water management has failed to rectify this problem [evidence #4] local government will be the most effective solution for the issue [conclusion #2].”
- Revise your research question and do more research as necessary. This research question will appear at the beginning of your annotated bibliography. Be flexible—especially if the simulation in 2a revealed weaknesses in your research or question, these may have to change.
- Select your sources. From your research, choose the three sources that will best help you to answer your research question.
- Draft your bibliography. State your research question at the beginning of your document, under the title and before listing your first source. Then, using APA format, provide reference citations for each of your three sources and list them alphabetically below your research question.
- Draft your annotations. In a short paragraph following each citation, write a concise summary (2-3 sentences) of each source. Then indicate (1-2 sentences) how this source relates to the other two: whether the perspectives align or do not; what this source explores that others do not; what backgrounds inform the present work and how these relate to the others. Finally, provide a brief, specific example (1-2 sentences) of how this source will help you to answer your research question and support your own ideas about the topic. Each annotation must identify:
- the author’s thesis or central claim/argument
- how this source’s perspective relates to others sources’
- the key points the author uses to support their claim
- the type of source and its location (where you found it)
- the relevance of the source to the essay you plan to write
- how you will use the source to support your own ideas and arguments
- Proofread and edit your work. Proofread your work, and correct any spelling, grammar, and/or punctuation errors you notice. Follow the applicable APA guidelines for page and document formatting, ensure in-text citations and Reference citations are formatted correctly, etc. Refer to the NorQuest Library APA guide for details.
- Submit your document. Ensure the file format is correct and upload your assignment to the appropriate Moodle dropbox.
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