Purpose: Practice analyzing, evaluating, and synthesizing sources in preparation for your Synthesis Essay. You will start this process by creating an annotated bibliography of your three sources.
Tasks:
- In Discussion 4.2, you located two sources (one of which was required to be scholarly) to help you verify or refute your selected text from the “Student-Selected Scholarly Articles” list. Note your professor’s previous comments and seek help (from one of the online librarians or your professor) with locating sources, particularly if you are struggling to locate an additional scholarly source.
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Now, you will write an individual annotated bibliographic entry for all three texts (the article that inspired your research from the “Student-Selected Scholarly Articles” list and the two texts that you located). For each source that you have selected, complete the following:
- Begin with the MLA works cited entry for the text. Note that EbscoHost (in Galileo) will provide you with the MLA citation if you click “Cite” on the right-hand panel [and, scroll to the MLA entry]. Also, note that the works cited entry for the “Student-Selected Scholarly Articles” has been provided, in the “description” section (below the article’s title).
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Then, write a well-developed paragraph that summarizes, evaluates, and reflects/synthesizes each individual source (for a total of 3 paragraphs). Make sure that each paragraph contains specific information (not general observations that could apply to any one of the sources). Note that a single quote (per source) may be included—but the quote must be no more than one (fully) typed line.
- Write 2-3 sentences that summarize the article/source’s main argument and claims; be specific when summarizing the text and include parenthetical citations when appropriate.
- Write 2-3 sentences that evaluate the article/source’s merits—and/or deficiencies—in terms of logic, persuasion, credibility, etc. Consider whether the author(s) effectively presented her/his/their claims—and how. Also, consider whether the author’s information is reliable. Keep in mind that your evaluation does not need to be only positive or negative; the source may be adept in certain areas, but not in others.
- Write 2-3 sentences that reflect on how the article/source relates to the other two sources that you have selected. Consider what new information and perspectives the text provides—and how it “adds” to the ongoing conversation (in the other texts) about your topic. It may be helpful to imagine the author meeting the authors of your other sources—what would she/he “say”? On what points would they agree and/or disagree.
- For reference, consult these resources: Sample MLA annotations [note that only one paragraph is provided in the examples and does not include the “reflection”/”synthesis” information]; and Purdue OWL’s explanation of an annotated bibliography.
Submission Criteria (points may be deducted for not following these guidelines):
- Post your annotated bibliography entry to the Discussion – you may post as an attachment if it is easier to format that way. On the first page of your assignment, include your name, date, and assignment name.
- NOTE in the Grading Criteria (below) that you will not be graded for participation (responding to your peers) for this discussion. HOWEVER, you may benefit from viewing and commenting on your peers’ annotated bibliographies as this is a great opportunity to take advantage of everyone’s research/sources/summaries/analysis. Keep in mind that, while you may get ideas from and share sources with each other, plagiarism will not be tolerated.
Grading Criteria:
- One article from the “Student-Selected Scholarly Article” list; one additional scholarly article from Galileo; and one additional source that may be popular, professional, or scholarly
- Correct MLA guidelines for citations
- Developed paragraphs that engage specific ideas in the texts (not general observations) for the distinct purposes of analysis, evaluation, and synthesis
- Clear, grammatically correct prose
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