READ184 - Critical Reading - Hawes: Home

Begin your project by doing some background reading on your topic. Preliminary reading helps you:

• achieve a basic understanding of your issue
• begin to identify interesting specific questions that will form the backbone of your research; and
• start to acquire vital search terms you need in order to explore your subject more fully. 

Find sources on the topics that you identified in Step 1.

• Do a comprehensive search utilizing all the sources below; leave no stone unturned
• Print/save/email the sources you find as you go to avoid backtracking
• Read your sources several times, highlighting relevant information and making notes as you go.
• If you find sources that will help others in your team, SHARE THEM.
• If you have trouble finding the appropriate type or number of sources: MEET WITH A RESEARCH LIBRARIAN

• Make an appointment with writing center staff at least once. They will help you get started, proceed, and/or finish. This is a free service that you should always utilize to maximize your success.
• Utilize the MJC Library & Learning Center's FORMAT & CITE page to aid with MLA. A research librarian can provide face-to-face assistance with formatting and citing as well. 

Getting help has never been easier. Your MJC librarians are here to help.

An annotated bibliography includes a summary and/or evaluation of each of the sources you have used in the preparation of your research paper. Depending on your project or the assignment, in your annotations you may summarize, reflect on, or assess your sources. Your teacher should instruct you on the function of your annotations.

To learn more about annotated bibliographies click on the link below from Purdue OWL:

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Example of an Annotated Bibliography: (Click the paper to see the full bibliography)