119 Genres
Clicking on the topic headings will link back to the corresponding section in this OER.
Dan Beugnet has posted a helpful video on writing a Summary/Response essay. Within this video, he explains the purpose of each part (summary and response) and also gives helpful tips about meeting the expectations of each part.
Aimee Shattock has a series of videos on analytical writing. While they are all quite helpful, her second video “How To Write An Analytical Essay: Planning” offers instruction on focusing on analysis and brainstorming techniques to begin the essay. Her third video “Analytical Essay: How To Structure Your Ideas” offers several ideas on how to create body paragraphs in the essay.
Susan Hagan, at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, explains the relationship of summary, analysis, and synthesis in her video: “SAS-Summary, Analysis, Synthesis”
For a step-by-step instruction as well as examples, visit Excelsior’s Online Writing Lab page at Narrative Essay..
Annotated Bibliography:
For Use in Composition I
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
What is an annotated bibliography?
An annotated bibliography is a record from published sources needed for a research essay. Annotation is the notes made from the work and its contents as well as its future usefulness in research. After reading the source to be used in the essay, students will answer questions from that source (see What is the format below) to be used in developing the research required for the essay.
What is the purpose?
There are several reasons for the annotated bibliography. First, it indicates that active research is taking place early. Second, it provides a format where students can receive feedback from the instructor on the progress of their research for their documented essay. Third, it provides students with notes for the writing of their final paper This is not an extra step because research has to be conducted for the final essay, so the annotated bibliography becomes a useful tool in the research process.
What is the format?
Your annotated bibliography should be 1 per page (or two), double-spaced, and be in a sentence outline form with complete sentences:
Part 1 The bibliographic entry for the work in the correct MLA format as found in the current handbook or in the MLA Handbook. In other words, how would this source look on a works cited page.
Part 2 Summary of the source with all questions answered.
- What is the main argument of the topic found in the resource?
- What is the position of the author(s) on the argument found in the source?
- What does the author use to support his/her position? (graphs, allusions, stats, tables, etc.)
- What are some of the facts that support either position of the argument?
- What are some relevant statements that support your author’s position? (include pg. #’s in parenthesis)
Part 3 The final part of the annotation is how the source could be used to develop an essay. These are brainstorming ideas, for possible topics for your own essay. Do Not use first person. Answer all questions.
- Provide ideas about how the resource could be used to develop the argument.
- What specific facts could be used to support the argument?
- What facts could be used to support the position the argument?
- How does the source relate to other ideas related to your argument?
- Write a quote that supports a negative or positive position and explain why. (include pg. #’s in parenthesis)
How will it be graded:
- Correctness of MLA citations (use the MLA Handbook or other relevant MLA material) Part 1
- Thoroughness (support) of the details listed in Part 2
- Thoroughness (support) of the ideas presented in Part 3
- Organized as instructed
- Grammar and mechanics
- Complete sentences