The annotated bibliography assignment is a selection of sources that you will find and put together based off a subject you choose (with my permission) from the time period covered in the textbook.An example could be the use of ironclads by the Union Navy during the Civil War.

So the basic guidelines for the bibliography is that they consist of a combination of seven sources, primary and secondary.Secondary sources can include scholarly journals, books, and newspapers from the time period of subject you chose.

Each source used should be in APA format citation.Each entry will be a small synopsis of the source between 250-300 words.In the synopsis, discuss the information contained in the source and why you would use this in a potential research paper.

You need a total of Seven Sources altogether.

What is an Annotated Bibliography?[1]

An annotated bibliography is a list of books, articles, and other documents in proper documentation style. Each citation is followed by a brief paragraph or two (250-300 words) that describe and evaluate the item. These two paragraphs comprise the “annotation.” The purpose of the annotation is to detail and critique the relevance, accuracy, and quality of the source cited. Annotations are not abstracts. Instead, annotations are both descriptive and critical; they provide a summary while also exposing the author’s point-of-view, clarity, and authority.

Purpose:

• Gather information and learn about a topic
• Identify issues surrounding the topic and what other scholars have said about it
• Provide a comprehensive overview of other research on the topic
• Formulate a thesis or hypothesis for your own research
• Inform readers as to the source’s relevance in your research
• Help other scholars search for and critique potential sources for their research

Format:

• Cite the source in proper documentation style (Chicago/Turabian, or in this case APA Style.)
• Write the annotation in paragraph form
  • Do not include citations or quotations within the annotation
  • Reference the author (if needed) only by last name in the text of the annotation

Content:

• Summarize: Create a short summary of the source that describes the main arguments and topics covered. The length of the annotation will determine how detailed the summary will be, so consider word length as you write.
• Assess: After the summary, you must evaluate the source. To do this, determine the source’s value, credibility, bias or objectivity, and reliability. A credible source will show multiple perspectives on a subject and come from a respected organization or recognized institution.
• Reflect: Once you’ve summarized and assessed the source, ask how it fits into your research. Decide if the source was helpful by asking how it contributes to your argument. Describe how you can use this source in your research and how it affected your way of thinking about the topic. In some instances, you may be asked to discuss how you will use the source in your paper.
  • Author: The author’s credentials are important to prove his or her credibility. Consider the author’s institutional affiliation, educational background, past writing, and experience as it relates to research. Consider whether or not the source is written in the author’s area of expertise.
  • Date of Publication: The date of publication is important to show how current the source is. Topic areas of continuing and rapid development, such as computers and sciences, demand current information.
  • Edition or Revision: Many editions or printings may indicate that the work has become a standard source in a given discipline and is therefore more reliable.
  • Publisher: If a source is published by a university press, it is likely to be scholarly. Although a reputable publisher does not guarantee quality, it does demonstrate that the publisher may have high regard for the source being published.
  • Type of Journal: The distinction between scholarly and popular journals is important because it indicates different levels of complexity in conveying ideas.
  • Intended Audience: Consider the author’s intended audience and what role — for example: tone, vocabulary, and complexity–that plays in the presentation of information.
  • Objective Reasoning: Verify facts. Valid and well-researched sources have clear factual information; biased sources may use emotion-arousing language.
  • Coverage: Consider if the material is thorough and consistent with what’s found in other sources on the same topic. Widely divergent ideas or a lack of verifiable facts might indicate a problem with credibility.
  • Writing Style: Think about the organization and main points of the source. If a source is not logical or organized, it may not be the most reliable or credible source.

Assessment of the Source:
Consider (the most relevant of) the following criteria when evaluating sources.

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[1] (modified from: “Annotated Bibliography” [http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/ CLAS/Centers/writing/resources/Documents/Resources/Annotated%20Bibliographies.pdf]