73 Step 1: Discussion Activity – The Annotated Bibliography

The Annotated Bibliography will be submitted as a discussion activity. Later, when you create your Works Cited list for your Research Paper, you can copy and paste the citations for the sources you used from this bibliography into the Works Cited list.

Discussion 9A – Annotated Bibliography

A successful research essay is only as strong as your sources. You need to know what your sources say, how they relate to your main idea, and how they compare to each other. An annotated bibliography describes and evaluates your sources and includes the works cited entries. For each source, you include a 1-2 paragraph annotation that gives an overview of that source and connects it to your argument. An annotated bibliography is a great way to organize your ideas and sources as you are writing an essay. A successful annotated bibliography does several things:

1. It provides MLA style (or some other style) citations, just like a regular works cited page.
2. The annotation should mention the author(s) of the source and, if available, information about who they are and how they relate to the topic. This is brief, 1-2 sentences.
3. The annotation should describe the main idea of the source, key concepts, and definitions of fundamental terms. This is a summary of the source.
4. The annotation can evaluate the source. Is it a strong source that supports the thesis of your essay? Does it show perspective? Opposing viewpoints?
5. The annotation can compare sources to one another. Does this source support another? Contradict it? Elaborate on an idea?

First, review resources on Works Cited / Annotated Bibliography

A great way to compile citations for your works cited is by using the citation or email tools, located on the right side of the screen in most research databases. If you email yourself a source, you will get a .pdf of the source and a formatted works cited citation. You will have to choose MLA from a drop down menu.

• Excelsior College OWL – MLA Style, Quoting Activity, Avoiding Plagiarism When Documenting, and Annotated Bibliographies
• Writing Commons – MLA Updates for the 8th Edition and Works Cited Page Checklist
• Writer’s Handbook – Creating an Annotated Bibliography

Next, complete and upload your annotated bibliography into Discussion 9A.