University of Calgary Assignment Tracker

Annotated Bibliography

1. Step 1: Read your assignment outline
   Percent time spent on this step: 5%

   Instructions:

   The assignment sheet or marking schema is the most valuable resource for your assignment. Don’t quickly skim through it and write the assignment that you think it should be. For tips on getting the most from your assignment sheet, you may want to use Reading Your Assignment Sheet.           
2. Step 2: Select a focus
   Percent time spent on this step: 5%

   Instructions:

   Some instructors give students a focused topic for their paper. Others allow students to pick something that is relevant to the course. When given free range on a paper, the first topic that comes to mind isn’t always the best. Try working through various brainstorming activities. Some suggestions are available in Developing Ideas.      
3. Step 3: Develop a research strategy
   Percent time spent on this step: 5%

   Instructions:

   A research strategy gives you an organized framework for conducting your research. To build your search strategy, you will first need to determine the keywords.

   There are two ways to search using the library. You can use the big search box on the library homepage or you can search in a subject-specific database. Keep in mind that you may not find the right resources on the first try. You may need to revise your search a few times before you find the right set of keywords to describe your topic.     
4. Step 4: Review abstracts and introductions of sources
   Percent time spent on this step: 5%

   Instructions:

   Before you jump into reading for the whole text, take the time to make sure that you are looking at the most relevant sources for your project. Trying to use sources that aren’t relevant makes the process more difficult.  Often starting with the introduction or abstract of a text can help you preview  the text. 

   Consider answering the following questions as you read the abstract or introduction:

   • Where and when was this text published?
   • What do you know about authors of this text?
   • What can you learn from the title?
   • Is the article organized? Is it divided into sections?
   • What do the authors suggest they are doing? What is their goal for the article?
   • What value do they attribute to their work?
   • What topics or areas of study do they relate their work to?

   By previewing the text, you now have an outline of the article. As you go along reading, you can start to understand how the bits and pieces fit together.       
5. Step 5: Evaluate quality and relevance of sources
   Percent time spent on this step: 10%

   Instructions:

   One way of evaluating your sources is to check if it passes the CRAP test.
   

   • Currency: Think about your topic. Is it in a new and emerging field? If so, you might not find very many scholarly sources on it because academic journals and books take time to publish. You may have to consider other sources.
   • Reliability: Can you trust the information in this source? Where and how did they collect the information? Is the information consistent with other sources?
   • Authority: Is the author an academic or someone who has expertise in the field? Have they published other articles or books on the topic?
   • Purpose: Why did the author write this article? Is the goal to sell you a product or convince you that a theory is correct or incorrect? What bias might be at play?

   For more details, review Evaluating Resources.
6. Step 6: Read through material
   Percent time spent on this step: 15%

   Instructions:

   By doing prep work while you are reading, you will be able to get a head start. It can be useful to document your reaction to the text. Imagine it is a conversation where you pose questions and comments in the margins. Typically you may want to consider responding to topics, such as the author’s intention, the author’s assumption, the author’s method or methodology, the author’s data or source material, the author’s choices or style of presentations, and the author’s contribution to knowledge on the topic.         
7. Step 7: Draft brief summary of sources
   Percent time spent on this step: 10%

   Instructions:

   Often the brief summary of the source is the easiest part of an annotated bibliography, so why not start with them. Remember that you only want to write about material that relates most to your topic. You will want to focus on the author’s main claims, rather than details.         
8. Step 8: Draft evaluation of sources
   Percent time spent on this step: 10%

   Instructions:

   When working on evaluating the sources, consider how this source will inform your paper.  Imagine that you are writing a report to your boss. You need to convince your boss that these sources are relevant and important enough to read.  What will they learn? What should they be careful about?        
9. Step 9: Compile first draft
   Percent time spent on this step: 10%

   Instructions:

   When putting the two sections together you will want to make sure that the summary doesn’t hide the evaluation. You may need to cut back the summary. Make sure to have a strong lead sentence.  As you go through the draft, consider removing extra words or unneeded phrases. Conciseness is a key attribute of an Annotated Bibliography; you may want to review 10 Strategies for Readable Writing.       
10. Step 10: Review citations and referencing
    Percent time spent on this step: 10%

    Instructions:

    Don’t forget, borrowing ideas from an external source without citing is considered plagiarism and is a serious academic offense. For more information, you may want to review Plagiarism: What is it and How to Avoid It.  There are several citation styles used in various disciplines throughout the university.  The most common in the Arts and Social Sciences are APA, Chicago, and MLA. In the Sciences, the most common styles are APA, CSE, and Vancouver. Always check if your instructor has a preferred style.         
11. Step 11: Revise for your common errors
    Percent time spent on this step: 15%

    Instructions:

    Read through your bibliography, while looking for your most common errors. Start with the errors that require the most rewriting (run-on sentences) and work towards smaller typos (subject-verb agreement). Printing your assignment and reading it aloud to yourself will help you become a more effective editor.  As a starting point, you may want to review Planning for Revision.