FYW (10/28/2025)

Introduction to the Annotated Bibliography Writing Assignment

  • The current assignment is the third major writing task, with the fourth being the final one.

  • Importance of understanding the structure and requirements of the annotated bibliography.

Structure of the Annotated Bibliography

  • Work Cited Page: Each citation must be accompanied by an annotation.

  • Annotations Required:

    • Under each source, write a minimum of three paragraphs to provide:

    1. A summary of the source (50 words).

    2. Description of the research methods used in the source (50 words).

    3. Explanation of how the source contributes to knowledge about the topic (50 words).

  • Each annotation must total at least 150 words.

APA Citation Format

  • Each source must be cited in proper APA format.

  • Citations should be organized in alphabetical order by the author's last name.

  • Ensure to include a complete citation for each source at the beginning of each annotated section.

Source Selection Criteria

  • Required number of sources:

    • Total: 10 sources.

    • Types: 7 academic sources and 3 non-academic sources.

    • Focus on a narrow issue or question of inquiry.

Research Questions vs Topics

  • Clarification of Terms:

    • Replace the term "topic" with "research question" to imply a deeper inquiry.

  • Importance of Questions:

    • Research questions involve active pursuit and investigation, unlike mere topics which suggest static subjects.

Characteristics of Good Research Questions

  • Good research questions:

    • Do not have simple yes/no answers.

    • Are open-ended, allowing for exploration.

    • Are relevant to the target college audience and personal interests.

    • Are manageable within the assignment's constraints (i.e., length, scope).

    • Encourage learning and discovery.

  • Example of a poor research question:

    • A question that leads toward one specific answer or has only binary responses limits exploration.

  • Example of a better research question:

    • Open-ended and engaging questions about behavior, societal influences, and factors affecting choices in college students.

Managing Research Scope

  • Challenges in Topic Selection:

    • Local topics may be underrepresented in broader literature.

    • Recent topics may lack available sources due to publication delays.

    • Broad and narrow topics both pose unique research difficulties.

  • Questions to Consider When Selecting a Topic:

    1. Can all important concepts be adequately discussed within the paper's page limit?

    2. Are there concepts that will need to be omitted?

    3. Is there enough material to avoid running out of information?

  • Goals:

    • Ensure the topic fulfills the assignment's requirements while being manageable.

Understanding Research Process

  • What Research Entails:

    • The term "research" means to search again, delve deeper, and explore the subject thoroughly.

  • Emphasis on using research not to affirm pre-existing opinions but to discover new insights and answers.