THESIS
AND
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
How/Why do I construct one?
Step 1: How do I create a thesis?
First consider what interests you about Beowulf.
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Anglo-Saxon heroes
Elements of Pagan and Christian traditions
Characteristics of the ideal Thane
Conflicts in Beowulf
Monsters
Anything else…
Step 2: How do I create a thesis?
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Second, ask a question about the topic
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What are qualities of an Anglo-Saxon hero shown in Beowulf?
What are some elements of Pagan and Christian traditions in
Beowulf?
What are characteristics of the ideal Thane shown in Beowulf?
What are the internal and external conflicts in Beowulf?
What do the monsters represent in Beowulf?
Anything else…
Step 3: How do I create a thesis?
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Third, answer your question**
 What
are internal and external conflicts in Beowulf?
 Beowulf’s
internal conflicts are pride, betrayal, cowardice,
and love
 Beowulf’s external conflicts are Grendal, and Grendal’s
mother, and the dragon
**Your answer is called your “working thesis”
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SAMPLE: Beowulf has two conflicts including internal ones of pride,
betrayal, and cowardice along with the external conflicts with
monsters.
Step 4: How do I create a thesis?
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Fourth, research to see if your answer can be
supported with evidence
 This
is where you look to the experts to see if anyone
else supports your view. (This is the research part…)
SAMPLE: Research supports internal conflicts of pride,
betrayal, and cowardice but not love. My research also
found internal conflicts of greed and self-concern. The
research supports the external conflicts with vicious monsters.
Step 5: How do I create a thesis?
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Fifth, refine your thesis to incorporate your research
Your thesis should be your opinion
 Your thesis should be provable in five pages
 Your thesis should be one sentence located in the first
paragraph of your essay
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SAMPLE: Beowulf is about two ordeals, the internal
conflicts of greed, pride, betrayal, cowardice, and selfconcern and the external conflicts with vicious monsters.
What is an annotated bibliography?
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A bibliography is a list of sources (books, journals,
websites, anthologies, etc.) one has used for
researching a topic.
An annotation is a summary and/or evaluation.
Therefore, an annotated bibliography includes a
summary and/or evaluation of each of the sources.
What goes into my annotated
bibliography?
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Primary Source: the book that you are reading.
Secondary Source: any source you find that is
credible and reliable (I.e. anthology, website,
journal, database, etc.)
Reminder: NO “.coms.”
What should the
annotation say?
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Summarize: Your annotation should summarize the source. What are the main
arguments? What is the point of this book or article? What topics are covered?
If someone asked what this article/book is about, what would you say? (1-3
sentences)
Assess: After summarizing a source, it may be helpful to evaluate it. Is it a useful
source? How does it compare with other sources in your bibliography? Is the
information reliable? Is this source biased or objective? What is the goal of this
source? (1-3 sentences)
Reflect: Once you've summarized and assessed a source, you need to ask how it
fits into your research. Was this source helpful to you? How does it help you
shape your argument? How can you use this source in your research project?
Has it changed how you think about your topic? (1-3 sentences)
Format
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Sources must be cited using MLA format.
The annotation is a continuation of the citation. Do not drop down to the next line
to start the annotation.
Bibliography should be double spaced, both within the citation and between them. Do
not add an extra line between the citations.
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Bibliographies should be alphabetized by the first letter in the entry.
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Do not number your entries.
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Annotations should be at least THREE sentences in length.
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Hanging Indents are required for citations in the bibliography. (That is, the first line of
the citation starts at the left margin. Subsequent lines are indented 4 spaces).
Use Times New Roman, 12pt. font.
Sample Annotation
Russell, Tony, Allen Brizee, and Elizabeth Angeli. "MLA
Formatting and Style Guide." The Purdue OWL. Purdue U
Writing Lab, 4 Apr. 2010. Web. 8 February 2012. This
source offers information/style manuals pertaining to MLA
and APA formats for research papers. It is highly organized
with sections delineated to the left of the screen. The
online guide includes various sample papers and detailed
definitions of research terms. This source helps with the
process of research writing, and it will be used to create
appropriate MLA citations both in-text and as the final
works cited page.
Why write one?
To learn about your topic:
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It provides excellent preparation for a research project
When you have to write annotations for each source, you're forced to read
each source more carefully.
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You begin to read more critically instead of just collecting information.
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They help you refine your thesis.
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Writing an annotated bibliography can help you gain a good perspective on
what is being said about your topic.
Is It Plagiarism?
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Here is a brief list of what needs to be credited or documented:
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Words or ideas presented in a magazine, book, newspaper, song, TV
program, movie, Web page, computer program, letter, advertisement, or
any other medium
Information you gain through interviewing or conversing with another
person, face to face, over the phone, or in writing
When you copy the exact words or a unique phrase
When you reprint any diagrams, illustrations, charts, pictures, or other visual
materials
Bottom line, document any words, ideas, or other productions that
originate somewhere outside of you.
Source: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/02/
Academic Honesty Policy
Academic misconduct is a code violation according to the Saint Joseph’s University
Student Code of Conduct.
Academic misconduct refers to dishonesty in examinations (cheating), presenting ideas
or writing of someone else’s as one’s own (plagiarism), or knowingly furnishing false
information to the university. Some plagiarism is extreme and willful (i.e., buying or
using the work of another). Other forms of plagiarism may arise from carelessness or
ignorance (i.e., is using quotation marks or citations). Plagiarism of any kind is not
acceptable and will not be tolerated.
An additional act of dishonesty includes the multiple submission of the same paper or
report for assignments in more than one course without the prior written permission of
each instructor. If a student is found to be involved with academic misconduct, he or
she will receive an “F” grade on the assignment or the class and/or a referral to the
Director of the University’s judiciaries with possible sanctions for suspension or
expulsion.
Source: http://www.sju.edu/libraries/drexel/plagiarism/index.htm.