Annotated Bibliographies

For the purposes of this course, our annotated bibliographies will include three elements:

1. The full citation
2. A descriptive/informative annotation. (Minimum 250 words.)
3. A critical/analytical annotation. (Minimum 250 words.)

These are all to be completed in Zotero. https://www.zotero.org/

Descriptive/Informative Annotation

A descriptive or informative annotation includes an overview/summary of why the work might be useful to researchers. (Evaluation of the text is reserved for the analytical/critical annotation.)

This might include, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Target Audience: Who is the work written for? What is the depth of the coverage?
2. Writing style: What is the tone of the work?
3. Why is this work useful for researching a particular topic or question?
4. Author(s) credentials, other works by the author(s)
5. Contents
6. Author(s) main arguments/points/purpose/ideas: What is this work is about?
7. Methodologies: What research methods were employed by the author(s)?
8. Special features? Software, programming code, graphs, illustrations, et cetera that are included.
9. Author(s) conclusions: Is there a conclusion?
10. Is it a primary, secondary, or tertiary source?
11. Anything else that you think is valuable in this text that may be helpful to a person researching the topic

Critical/Analytical Annotation

Critical/Analytical annotations, as implied by the name, include an analysis (evaluation, critical engagement, et cetera) of the work.

This might include, but is not limited to, the following:

1. A discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the text
2. The usefulness of the text to your project
3. Compare the text to other texts
4. Authority/qualifications of the authors
5. Context in which the text was created
6. Design/organization/clarity of the text and arguments
7. Effectiveness of the arguments
8. Accuracy of the information
9. Importance of text contribution to the field, relative to others
10. Potential bias of the author(s)
11. Usefulness of the text
12. Are arguments well researched and supported by evidence, facts, citations, et cetera, or are they opinions?
13. What is omitted?
14. Inaccuracies of information?
15. Is the work similar/connected to others you have read, or is there an important departure on the topic/ideas? Is the departure warranted/valid

Click here for examples.

Technology Performance Sophomore Exams

1. Performance on New Music Sunday

   • This should be at a very high level as it is the culmination of your lessons. Project will be developed in your lessons.

   • As per every semester of lessons, there will need to be a separate video made of this work in the studio or similar location.

2. Research Project

   • On an area of interest that is related to your performance practice, developed in conversation with your instructor

   • Completed the first month of your Sophomore Exam semester

     • Survey of literature in this area in the form of an annotated bibliography (details above) to be completed in Zotero, and shared with your instructor.

     • Do not overemphasize the development of a research question: Focus on area of interest and the question will emerge as you survey the literature and other materials

     • Minimum 10 scholarly resources

     • In addition to those 10 resources you can add as many blogs, manuals, magazines, liner notes, and others as you feel is appropriate

   • Completed by midterms

     • Develop an outline of the sections/areas of the topic you will cover in Google Docs.

     • Share and discuss this with your instructor

   • Due a minimum of two weeks before New Music Sunday

     • Edited draft of the paper. Please note: this is *not* a rough draft but should be considered close to final draft quality, ready to be read by professors.

   • Due the Monday immediately following New Music Sunday

     • Finished paper

     • Minimum 10-15 pages, double spaced, 12pt Times or Helvetica

       • May be longer if warranted

       • Images, photos, et cetera are not included in page count

     • Fully cited with bibliography that includes a minimum of 10 scholarly resources (journals and books), as many other (magazines, websites, liner notes, manuals, etc) as you feel is appropriate.

   • Finals Week
     • In person discussion of your creative work and research project during finals week juries with a minimum of three professors, to be scheduled at an agreed upon time, approximately 20 minutes in duration