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ENC 1101 Assignment #3: Annotated Bibliography (20%)
Two copies of Annotated Bibliography due for rough draft workshop: See
calendar (at least one source with annotation)
Annotated Bibliography final draft due: See calendar
“Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose.”
--Zora Neale Hurston
Objectives:
Students should be able to:
 Use the library to investigate an issue
 Find and analyze specialized, secondary sources
 Identify the difference between popular and scholarly sources
 Identify the kind of source used (article from a magazine or newspaper or
website, book, television show, etc.)
 Evaluate secondary sources for possible usefulness in an argument
 Compose MLA citations for differing sources
 Analyze and articulate the differing authorities, their credibility, their support,
and their assumptions on the issue
Description:
An Annotated Bibliography is a list of secondary sources you have read and
evaluated on your research question. It differs from a Works Cited list in that these
sources may or may not be used in your argument essay, and after each MLA citation,
there is a paragraph that evaluates the source and its potential usefulness.
Format: Your Annotated Bibliography should...




Have seven secondary sources total:
 Include sources from the Internet, library catalog, and library database
(only 2 Internet sources are permitted, and they should be credible
sources)
 Include one book
 Include at least two scholarly sources
 Include at least two sources from the library databases
Include a paragraph (4-6 sentences) underneath each source which identifies the
kind of source it is (book, scholarly article, popular article, etc.), the source’s
credibility, the source’s main idea/claim, support/reasons and evidence,
assumptions, and potential usefulness for your argument essay.
Be in MLA format
Note: Sources should not only be the abstracts.
Grading

See attached rubric for grading criteria
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AB Criteria
Criteria
Description
Citation
Format
Includes all
required
information
Annotation
Format
Immediately
follows citation
Maintains
Includes no
consistent format
inappropriat throughout
e information document
Information
is ordered
correctly
Observes
punctuation,
capitalization
, and spacing
rules
Follows MLA
format
throughout
document
23-25
Outstanding
(meets
criteria all of
the time)
20-22
Strong
(meets
criteria most
of the time)
18-19
Satisfactory
(meets
criteria some
of the time)
15-17
Limited
(meets
criteria
occasionally)
0-14
Flawed
(meets
criteria
rarely)
Observes
standard
grammar, usage,
mechanics, and
spacing
conventions
Sentences are
mostly longer,
more complex
sentences
Word choice is
college-level and
a formal voice
predominates
Annotation
Content
Clearly
evaluates the
source criteria:
type, credibility,
main idea,
support,
assumptions,
and usefulness
Details are
specific, not too
general or
vague
Sources
Includes 7 sources
Includes 2 scholarly
sources
Includes maximum
2 Internet sources
Includes 1 book
Sources reflect
varied viewpoints
Sources are varying
lengths
Sources are from
varying
publications
Sources are
credible
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ENC 1101 Assignment #4: Persuasive Essay (30%)
Two copies of Persuasive Essay rough draft due (at least half complete with
outline): See calendar
Persuasive Essay final drafts due (with outline): See calendar
“The aim of argument, or of discussion, should not be victory, but progress.”
--Joseph Joubert
Objectives:
 Analyze research to form a position
 Determine if more research is necessary
 Conduct more research if necessary
 Compose a persuasive essay on your position
 Compose a workable solution
Description:
A persuasive essay argues a position on your research question and offers a workable
solution to the problem your issue presents.

Make sure your essay:
o Is 4-5 pages long
o Has a first page which identifies your rhetorical context and your thesis statement
o Is in MLA format (in-text citations, Works Cited page, margins, etc.)
o Uses a minimum of four secondary sources
o Smoothly integrates quotations, paraphrases, and summaries
o Has a claim that is stated clearly in a thesis statement
o Has reasons which logically support your claim
o Is based on assumptions that your target audience will likely accept
o Includes evidence (facts, examples, numbers, authorities’ statements) that
supports your reasons
o Addresses possible rebuttals by opposing views
o Argues for a workable first step towards solving the problem that your issue
presents (e.g., spreading awareness through PSA’s, pushing for a law or policy
change, your target audience doing something or changing their thinking)

What to turn in with your final draft of your essay:
o
o
o
o
o
A mailing envelope or slim folder that contains all your paperwork
Your sources (a copy of the title page if a book, movie, etc.)
Your final draft
This assignment sheet and grading rubric
Note: If you would like me to return your essay to you this semester, please
supply a stamped and self-addressed mailing envelope. After I am finished
grading I will return the essay and grading rubric to you through the mail. If
you don’t supply a stamped, self-addressed envelope you may pick up your
graded essay from my office next semester.
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Score
Outstanding
23-25/25
Strong
20-22/25
Satisfactory
18-19/25
Limited
15-17/20
Flawed
0-14/20
Content /Organization
refers to topic; thesis;
order and focus of
ideas; integrated and
documented support;
acknowledges author’s
argument structure
Diction refers to using
words appropriate to
the audience and
purpose; choosing
words for deliberate
effect
Grammar/ mechanics
refers to sentence
structure, spelling, word
usage, grammar,
punctuation, and ability to
proofread
Research and
Documentation refers
to integration of varied
and credible research;
uses current MLA
citation style; avoids
plagiarism
25
Specific, opinionated
thesis; insightful,
persuasive explanation
of support; specific,
relevant support to
thesis.; consistent focus
and graceful transitions
25
Compelling word
choice; demonstrates
insightful use of
figurative language;
objective, formal voice
predominates; uses
more informal
language if/when
appropriate
Specific, fresh word
choice; uses metaphor
and/or analogy;
objective, formal voice
predominates
25
Demonstrates mastery of
grammar, creating
compelling prose; few to
no errors; Sentences are
carefully formed and
positioned with attention
to emphasis, rhythm and
pace to engage the reader
Conventional word
choice; mostly formal
voice; occasional
incorrect use of words
Occasional errors in
sentence structure, verb
agreement, pronoun
reference, spelling and
punctuation; Sentences
show some variation in
pattern
Frequent errors in
sentence structure, verb
agreement, pronoun
reference, spelling and
punctuation; Simple
sentences are frequent
with occasional fused
sentences and fragments
25
Meaningful integration
of varied, credible
research; mastery of
paraphrasing,
summarizing, quoting;
correct documentation;
does not over/under use
sources; discusses all
references
Clear integration of
varied research using
correct documentation;
gracefully paraphrases,
summarizes, quotes;
correct documentation;
does not over/under use
sources; discusses
references
Integrates research
where necessary;
documentation has few
errors; does not
under/over use sources;
discusses most
references
Weak integration of
research; little attention
to other perspectives;
multiple errors in
documentation;
over/under uses sources
Clear, opinionated
thesis; persuasive
explanation of support;
logical progression of
ideas; mostly specific
and relevant support;
smooth transitions
Conventional or
mechanical opinionated
thesis; sometimes
unclear explanation of
support; some specific
support; adequate
transitions
Thesis unclear and/or
not opinionated;
unclear support;
inconsistent
organization of
analysis; transitions
often do not connect
ideas and may be
mechanical; does not
meet page count
No identifiable thesis;
no meaningful
discussion of issue; no
control of organization
and/or transitions;
doesn’t meet page
count
Vague, ordinary,
and/or incorrect word
choice with clichés
and/or wordiness;
informal or pretentious
voice prominent
Word choice doesn’t
fit audience or
purpose; informal
voice and/or
wordiness
predominates
Demonstrates
understanding of most
grammar; spell check
errors remain; Sentences
show variety in length,
pattern, and rhythm
Continuous errors in
sentence structure, verb
agreement, pronoun
reference, spelling and
punctuation
Poor use of
documentation;
questionable
plagiarism; no attention
to research