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Crucible Pre-Reading Blog

Annotated Bibliography

WHAT IS AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY?
An annotated bibliography is a list of citations to books, articles, and documents. Each citation is followed by a brief (usually about 150 words) descriptive and evaluative paragraph, the annotation. The purpose of the annotation is to inform the reader of the relevance, accuracy, and quality of the sources cited.  You will be required to complete many annotated bibliographies throughout your academic career.  From high school to a doctorate degree, every academic does annotated bibliographies.  Learning and sharpening the skill now will help you improve the critical analysis skills required in college.

THE PROCESS
Creating an annotated bibliography calls for the application of a variety of intellectual skills: concise exposition, brief and snappy analysis, and informed library research.  First, locate and record citations to books, periodicals, and documents that may contain useful information and ideas on your topic. Briefly examine and review the actual items. Then choose those works that provide a variety of perspectives on your topic.  Cite the book, article, or document using the appropriate style.  Write a concise annotation that summarizes the central theme and scope of the book or article. Include one or more sentences that (a) evaluate the authority or background of the author, (b) comment on its application to your topic (how it helps to prove your point), AND (c) summarize and analyze the content.

EXAMPLES

Fryer, Sarah Beebe. "Beneath the Mask: The Plight of Daisy Buchanan."

Critical Essays on F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. Ed. Scott Donaldson. Boston: G.K. Hall, 1984. 153-166.

This is a feminist essay that argues that Daisy is trapped in cultural constructions of Rich Wife and Pretty Girl - she chooses the "unsatisfactory stability" of her marriage because of those constructions. Fryer's only mention of Jordan is a foil to Daisy - - "Like Jordan, Daisy is affected" (156).

Gaines, Ernest J. A Lesson Before Dying. Vintage Books: New York, 1997.

This novel by Ernest J. Gaines, a contemporary African-American writer, is a very moving novel.  It is the story of Jefferson, a young student living in a Cajun community who is sentenced to death by a white jury and judge.  He must prepare to die for a crime he did not commit.  The minute complexities offered up by Gaines in this carefully written story bring to mind much greater issues such as racism, death, and spirituality.  Ernest J. Gaines puts on his best display of storytelling in this intriguing journey into the human mind and soul.

Ugaz, Cecilia.  “Africa’s Water Crisis.”  FDCH Congressional Testimony.  United

Nations Development Programme.  United States Congress, Washington, D.C.  16

May 2007.

In her speech to the U.S. Congress, U.N. Human Development Deputy Director, Cecilia Ugaz delivers an impassioned plea to the U.S. House of Representatives for increased U.S. aid to facilitate solving sub-Saharan’s water crisis which is being exacerbated by “inequalities based on wealth, and location” (2).  She states that it is becoming apparent that the U.N. will drastically miss the Millennium Development Goals if the U.S. does not allocate an additional 10 billion dollars a year.  Her article affirms my persuasive speech’s stance that the U.N should do more to provide clean water to Africa (3).