Annotated Bibliography Set One
An annotated bibliography is a list of sources that contains the actual notes and plans for use for each of the sources listed. We will be using this bibliography to learn how to look at sources more closely, evaluate their effectiveness, take useful notes, and summarize. The sources you use for the annotated bibliographies will be the sources you plan to use for your research paper. Although only five sources are required for each set, you should need to look through more than five articles to find five that will be appropriate for the paper.
If your research paper is related to your original exploratory argument, you may use some of the sources you used for that paper, however, keep in mind that you will need substantially more information in the research paper (6 pages) than in your exploratory argument. Start thinking about the types of information you will need. (For instance, if your research thesis is that “Efforts to improve the water quality in the Chesapeake Bay have been inadequate due to a lack of government commitment,” [an evaluation claim] you’ll need a lot of information on different efforts and how funding or follow through has affected each one.)
Due Thursday, March 4.
Format:
1. Introduction-Write a short paragraph stating the topic you are working toward and how you chose the articles you will be using. Mention search terms used and difficulties you had in researching. Also, describe the information that you know you still need to write your paper.
2. For each article:
I. Type a citation in the form that you will use in your Works Cited.
II. Write a ½ page summary of the article, touching on all the information that will be relevant for your paper. Briefly mention other information that is present that you may not use. Make sure your summary gives the main idea or purpose of the article.
III. List any strong quotations that you feel you may want to use, and give the speaker’s name and relevant information. (avg. 1-3 quotations/article).
IV. Describe how you plan to use the article in your paper. What types of evidence and appeal will it provide? In what section of the paper will it be used?
V. Arrange articles in alphabetical order and attach your handwritten notes and a copy of the article.
SAMPLE
Introduction:
The topic that I am heading toward is a comparison of George Bush and John Kerry’s policies on the environment. I hope to make my thesis a statement about which candidate will be more beneficial to the environment. This is a substantiation claim, but to support it, I’ll have to evaluate both of their records and plans. I started by looking for articles that give information on what Bush and Kerry have done already. This has led me to articles on Bush’s Clear Skies initiative and Kerry’s voting record and campaign platform.
Article 1:
Fitzgerald, Jay. “New Air War; EPA Rules Could Raise Pollution in Region.” The Boston Herald 23 Aug. 2003: 001. LexisNexis Academic Universe. U. S. News/Northeast Sources. Radford U Lib. 24 Feb. 2004. <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=44d9dcc511d0756325aed01b07eb5847…>.
This article mainly gives the reactions of Massachusetts legislators and citizens’ groups to changes the Bush administration has made to the Clean Air Act. The changes make it easier for power plants and other industries to improve their plants without improving or reducing their emissions rates. Among the people speaking out against the plan are New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, Mass. Attorney General Tom Reilly, the Conservation Law Foundation (of Boston), and Mass. Senators Edward Kennedy and John Kerry. The industries involved claim that being able to upgrade their plants with fewer restrictions will improve efficiency, which, in turn, will make them cleaner. Opponents of the change say it will allow higher-polluting, older plants to continue polluting rather than being upgraded or replaced. Some also believe that the new laws will actually allow older, high-polluting plants that had been retired to be brought back into service, and further encourage the use of coal and oil. Health risks from dirtier air and the fact that the Northeast gets considerable amounts of pollution from the Mid-west were also mentioned.
Important quotations:
“If this change happens, it would allow operators to perpetually avoid their fundamental responsibility under the Clean Air Act.” –Beth Stone, spokesperson for Mass. Att. General Tom Reilly
“The people who are at greatest risk are children, senior citizens and people with respiratory problems. They’re going to be breathing air that’s causing real harm.” –Seth Kaplan, Sr. attorney for Conservation Law Foundation.
The change constitutes a “get out of jail free card” for polluters. –Kerry
“[…] the most shameful and brazen giveaway to special interests we’ve seen on this President’s watch” –Kerry
Plan for use:
I will use this and some other articles to build up the reactions of many stakeholders to the effects that Bush’s policies will have on air quality. I’ll use the quotations for expert testimony, hopefully along with some environmental experts who are scientists not affiliated with specific environmental groups. The attorney generals’ opinions will help make the case that the policy is really not good for the states involved. Kerry’s reactions will help to make the comparison between the two candidates’ positions. This information will also help to build ethical appeal because it will probably seem ethically wrong to most people to allow more pollution rather than less and to renege on the commitment made with the Clean Air Act.