The required template is in the uploads. To prepare for this assignment, I strongly recommend that you:
Read these directions carefully.
Choose sources that are RELEVANT to the course project’s assigned topics for your selected species: Physical Descriiption, Life Cycle/Reproduction, Structure/Function, Energy Ecology, and Habitat. (For more details on these topics and their subtopics, I strongly advise you to review the Outline assignment instructions.)
Review the sample Annotated Bibliography provided to you: Sample_Annotated_Bibliography_Assignment1.pdf.
Read the BIOL180 Annotated Bibliography Grading Criteria.pdf. The grading criteria is a detailed evaluation that I will use to assess your performance. It also will help you understand what is expected of you as you prepare your assignment.
Use your own words (paraphrase). For help with paraphrasing, please review the ‘Quoting and Paraphrasing’ help in the Trefry Library Writing@APUS Center.
Note that your Turnitin report similarity score should be under 20% (not including references) and free of paraphrasing issues. Review the color-flagged text on your report, fix any issues, and resubmit again before the deadline (this assignment is set to unlimited submissions until the deadline).
Note that less than 10% of your work should contain direct quotes.
Email me with any questions!
[Recall that Wikipedia is not considered a credible source for our purposes and should not be used in class.]
Assignment Instructions: Your Annotated Bibliography will include an APA-formatted reference, summary, and evaluation of TWO of the credible source articles you will use for your Outline and Final Presentation. However, you must use FIVE or more credible articles in your Outline and Final Presentation.
APA Reference Formatting of Source Article sections:
Written in APA reference list format (6th or 7th edition). For more help with formatting, see the APA handout.
Important Note: APUS discourages the use of auto-citation tools (e.g., citation generators) by students enrolled in 100- and 200-level courses because the University believes students need to learn and understand the reasons for citing sources used in their work, as well as how to cite sources correctly. Summary sections:
What is the purpose of the source article, and how is it relevant to your Course Project’s required topics and subtopics (see Outline assignment instructions)? Briefly address the following points in 4-6 sentences:
Begin with a “topic sentence” that states the source’s main point. (e.g., This article discusses the ecology of the white-tailed deer in Delaware.). Summarize the main findings and conclusions of the peer-reviewed journal paper, book, website article, etc.
State how the information is relevant to your project’s assigned topics and subtopics and be specific.
Evaluation sections:
After summarizing the source article, it is necessary to evaluate it and state where you found it (journal, website, book, etc.). Briefly answer the following questions in 4-6 sentences:
What is the format/type of source article (e.g., peer-reviewed journal paper, book, website article)?
Is the author an authority/expert on the topic? Explain how the author is qualified (see below).
For subject-matter experts, provide their credentials (e.g. degrees earned, professional or academic affiliations, published works)
For freelance/professional writers (non-experts), state if all reference sources are academically and scientifically credible and provide an example. For undergraduate-student writers (non-experts), include the subject-matter expert that may have edited or reviewed their work.
If no author is listed, move on to discuss the publishing source.
How is the publishing source (e.g., the website’s sponsoring organization, journal, book publisher) credible? (e.g., The Journal of Mammalian Research is the peer-reviewed journal of the Society of Mammalian Researchers which is comprised of subject-matter expert members and published quarterly by the University of Linux.)
For more help, see this handout on evaluating resources.
*Writing Expectations: Apply scientific concepts and use scientific terminology correctly. Utilize proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation
Evaluation: Please review the BIOL180 Annotated Bibliography Grading Criteria.pdf that describe how your annotated bibliography will be graded.