Annotated Bibliography Assignment (Intro Sociology)

For this assignment, you will create a reference list in ASA style and add annotations for each of the three required sources you are to consult from the assigned reading (by assigned reading I mean the readings that appear in the ‘Prep’ sections of your posted class agendas — these are not necessarily the readings initially listed on the syllabus, so make sure that the assigned readings you use are ones that were actually assigned).

The purpose of this assignment is to help you make sure your citations are properly formatted before you turn in your midterm. Additionally, the annotations should provide an opportunity to make sure you’ve understood the source correctly and prompt you to reflect on your use of it in your paper.

Some of my comments on your assignment will seem a bit cryptic; you can decode them HERE.

Instructions

• List your sources.
• Format the items in this reference list in accord with ASA Style. Each chapter within the Conley textbook counts as a separate source. You should cite each chapter individually in the annotated bibliography assignment – but when you turn in the exam, your reference list should list the Conley textbook only once. (I  should be able to tell from your discussion as well as in-text citations [especially the page numbers cited] which chapters within the textbook you are citing.)
• For each item, add a brief summary plus any other annotations as to how you intend to use the source (e.g., quotable language, striking empirical findings, an important concept discussed). This doesn’t need to be more than a paragraph.
• You should also plan on citing the article by Persell et al., so there should be an entry for this one as well.

Example:

Carswell, Andrew and Douglas Bachtell. 2009. “Mortgage Fraud: A Risk Factor Analysis of Affected Communities.” Crime, Law and Social Change 52:347-364.

Mortgage fraud is a type of white collar crime that is growing in importance. The data analysis indicates that it occurs more often in neighborhoods with low socioeconomic status. However, there are important differences between regions and the neighborhood has an effect. Recommendations for future research are given. 

Create a Google Doc of this bibliography (include a one-paragraph description of your topic at the top) and paste a shareable link to it in the appropriate answer box on Blackboard (this link will take you to an instructional video; remember to change the settings from ‘Anyone with the link can view’ to ‘Anyone with the link can edit’!).

*This assignment is based on one created by Professor Elin Waring (Lehman College).