Many
instructors want to incorporate writing assignments into their courses,
but assigning a research paper seems daunting. Perhaps assigning an
annotated bibliography will do the trick.
An annotated
bibliography is a method of demonstrating to readers an understanding of
a topic and the research that supports it. The annotated bibliography
allows students the opportunity to select a topic of study (or be
assigned one) and to conduct scholarly research about it. Students then
evaluate what research would effectively support a thesis concerning
the topic. By locating and reading research concerning a topic of
study, students must critically think through the topic, gaining
perspective about the subject matter.
After this process,
students then prepare an annotated bibliography that presents a thesis
and lists each piece of research deemed important to the topic. The
annotated bibliography includes a summary paragraph of each research
piece and an explanation as to how the research supports the thesis. In
this way, the annotated bibliography will provide you with evidence
that your students have read about a topic and made analysis of it. Depending
on the depth of study you want from your students, the annotated
bibliography might be two pages or longer. Plan to allow students
several weeks to construct their annotated bibliography and encourage
them to contact our librarians for additional help in locating research.
The beauty of using this format is that it can easily be used
with any subject matter at any time during the term, and it can be as
involved as you want it to be.
For suggested tips on how to
prepare this type of assignment and a sample of an annotated
bibliography entry, please visit the CTE website/Teaching Tips or email Carole Kendy at kendyc@star.lcc.edu.
