What This Document Is
This resource is a sample annotated bibliography focused on academic research within a university-level writing course. It demonstrates how to critically analyze and summarize scholarly sources, specifically in relation to a research topic. The example centers around exploring the effects – both positive and negative – of computer games, but the *methodology* showcased is applicable to a wide range of academic subjects. It’s a practical illustration of how to engage with existing research as part of your own academic work.
Why This Document Matters
This sample is invaluable for students learning to build a strong research foundation. It’s particularly helpful if you’re struggling with understanding *how* to break down a scholarly article, identify its core arguments, and assess its relevance to your own project. It’s ideal for use during the research and drafting stages of a paper, offering a model for effectively incorporating sources. Students new to university-level research, or those needing to refine their source analysis skills, will find this particularly beneficial.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This resource provides a *model* annotated bibliography entry, and guidance on its components. It does *not* offer a completed bibliography on any single topic, nor does it provide the original research articles themselves. It won’t teach you the specifics of citation styles (like MLA or APA) – it assumes you have a basic understanding of those conventions. It also focuses on a single student’s approach, and doesn’t represent the only “correct” way to annotate a source.
What This Document Provides
* A detailed example of how to summarize the key elements of a scholarly article.
* Illustrations of how to assess an article’s intended audience and overall purpose.
* Demonstration of how to articulate the relevance of a source to a specific research question.
* Guidance on identifying and explaining the supporting evidence within a source.
* A framework for connecting source material to your own arguments and analysis.
