Annotated Bibliography Assignment (Part of Assignment 3)

This assignment will allow you to focus on research and developing an effective set of search terms and refining your research question. Your assignment is to develop a research topic answering the following question:

What one change (in technology, how we interact with it, or in how society functions) would most improve our digital media landscape?

and write a critical annotated bibliography of 3-5 sources. In addition you will write a short reflective statement (one page) about your research process. You will need to address how you changed and revised your research topic and terms to find the best set of sources.

NOTE: A critical notation not only summarizes the source and point its distinctive features, it also analyzes what is being said. It examines the strengths and weaknesses of what is presented as well as describing the applicability of the author’s conclusions to the research being conducted

In order to write an effective notation, you need to be able to distill the main argument in a source to a sentence or two, paraphrasing when necessary.

1. Read and take notes using the two-pass system.

• marking up a hard copy and
• making separate notes that identifies the bibliographic information, summarizes the main point, and notes key supporting points with questions and comments

To recap:
Read the source material carefully at least once. Read a second time, and underline the thesis and central supporting points, and make comments or questions in the margins. Then, read a third time, and make your separate set of evaluative notes.

2. Compose your bibliography using MLA style and format.

3. Compose your critical notations. Each one should be about a paragraph long. If you want, follow this list to organize your sentences.

• Summarizes argument/central point, and the source’s distinctive features.
• Analyze and evaluate: Strengths
• Analyze and evaluate: Weaknesses
• What’s the applicability to your research question?

4. Write a reflective statement about your research process, of about a page. It should address how you changed and revised your research questions and terms to find the best set of sources.

Due: 10/31 (Paper Copy Only)