Paper Two - Annotated Bibliography Overview (Page 2 of 3) in pdf

audience?] can better understand_____________________________ [specify (or

speculate, at this point...) what you believe the "so what”? of your project might be. Why

is it worthwhile?]

Here’s a possible template for formatting a tentative thesis for your paper:

TENTATIVE THESIS: Preliminarily, I contend that___________________

[claim]

because____________________[basis of claim].

Writing Strategies

Part One of your paper should include a 200-400 word overview of your research

project. It should give your reader some context for your paper. For example, what is

motivating you to research this topic? What is the kairotic moment for your research—

what are the circumstances that make it important to investigate or take action on right

now? You will also try out a tentative thesis for your research paper.

The goal of this first section is to show that you are both knowledgeable and passionate

about your topic. You also want to demonstrate an understanding of the existing

conversations about your topic—what have others already argued, and how are you

seeking to contribute to the conversation?

Part Two will include 3-4 annotated citations of sources you plan to use in your paper.

For each source, you will create an entry using the following procedures:

1. Read the article closely. Before you begin writing an annotation, read the entire

article (preferably more than once). As you read, highlight important passages and

make marginal comments about points you disagree with or concepts you don’t

understand.

2. Create the bibliography citation. Each entry should begin with a full citation for

the source in MLA style.

3. Draft the annotations. As you summarize each article, use quotations sparingly;

the challenge is to use your own words to paraphrase the author’s ideas.

As you draft your annotations, use the following format to guide your thinking:

1. Begin with a sentence that introduces the author and work, as well as summarizes

the author’s main thesis in your own words.

2. Offer a concise explanation of how the author develops and supports the thesis.

3. State the author’s apparent purpose, indicating the change the author wants to

effect in the audience.

Paper Two - Annotated Bibliography Overview Page 2