Final answer:
Creating an annotated bibliography includes gathering a variety of credible sources, evaluating their relevance to the topic, and summarizing key points. It's a recursive process that contributes to refining your thesis and arguments. MLA citations and critical assessment of each source are essential components of the annotations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of creating an annotated bibliography involves several steps. Firstly, you should cast a wide net to locate a variety of sources, including books, websites, journals, and periodicals that may contain valuable insights into your topic. Gather materials that you think might be helpful but remember to check the credibility of these sources before including them in your work.
When creating your annotated bibliography, you should consider the type of sources you are using, which may include primary, secondary, and tertiary sources. These will depend on your topic and research goals. A proper annotation will include a summary of the source, an assessment of the author's authority, an evaluation of the source's credibility, and a reflection on how it connects to your thesis. This summary should be one to two sentences long and then further elaborate on these points. Aim to get a varied range of perspectives from five to seven initial sources, which could be expanded upon as your research progresses.
Throughout your research, keep in mind that writing, much like research, is a recursive process. You may go back and forth, modifying and enhancing your thesis and arguments based on the sources you discover. An annotated bibliography is not only a way to keep track of the sources you may use in your final paper but also a tool to engage with the material and refine your own arguments and claims.
Once you have chosen your sources, write MLA citations for each and compose an annotation that addresses the source's authority, credibility, connection to your research, and includes a meaningful quotation properly cited according to MLA guidelines.