Select and Divide: Select your sources and divide your bibliography into two sections:
Primary Sources: first-hand testimonies dating within the time period being studied.
Secondary Sources: modern works about the past.
Should include at least 3-4 primary sources. Each section should be in Alphabetical Order.
Citation: Cite each source in proper format (use MLA style – see “Term Paper Guide” on Library
page of Columbia website). Give page numbers if using only a small portion of the source.
Annotate: Provide an annotation for each source with the following components (3 mini paragraphs):
Summary: Briefly summarize the source in 2-3 sentences by discussing: What is the book/article
about? What is its point? What are its main arguments? What topics are covered? (if only using a
small portion of the source, briefly address the scope/intention of the whole book before focusing
on the relevant section).
Assessment: In 2-3 sentences, discuss: Is it academically reputable? Is the information reliable?
What can you say about the bias or objectivity of the source? What is the goal of this source? How
does it compare with other sources in your bibliography?
Reflection: In 2-3 sentences, discuss: Was this source helpful for your paper? How does it help you
shape your argument/thesis? How can you use this source in your research project? Has it changed
how you think about your topic?
B. Outline
Write out a detailed outline for an essay (note: to be done in outline format, not paragraph format).
Introduction
