An annotated bibliography is a list of citations, each of which is followed by a brief paragraph—usually no more than 150 words—that is at once descriptive, informative, and evaluative of the cited source. You don’t necessarily have to read each source from cover to cover in order to do a decent job of annotating it (there won’t be time for you to do so, in any event), but you will want to examine it closely enough to make some sort of informed judgment. Have a look at the Table of Contents, the Index, and the Bibliography, first of all; read or skim the Introduction and Conclusion and whatever else you have time for. Consider whether and/or where you’ve come across references to the work and/or the author(s) elsewhere. (You may even be able to find reviews of certain works in Native American Quarterly, American Indian Culture and Research Journal, and/or Wicazo-Sa in order to get a sense of existing critical opinion about them.)

Our overall aim is to compile an orientative guide for anyone looking to do general or specific research in Native American Literature in the HSU library. Reference works (including on-line works such as the Gale Literary Databases), academic journals, and works of criticism and theory (anthologies and single-author volumes, perhaps even individual journal articles of exceptional or seminal importance) devoted to the field as a whole or to individual writers, periods, sub-genres, themes, and trends are all fair game. I have a feeling there will be plenty of material to keep us busy if we focus mainly or exclusively on contemporary Native American fiction. If we need to branch out (to poetry, drama, autobiography, testimony, mythology, oratory and other oral traditions, children’s literature, etc.—or to materials housed at ITEPP) then we will; otherwise, let’s leave that to future generations.

I’d like each person to find and annotate a minimum of six (6) sources. Obviously you won’t want to pick six at random: spend some time scoping out the field, then choose as judiciously as you can based on what limited information you have. Try to consult with Joan Berman, the long-time Reference Librarian for this field. (Though relevant works will be scattered throughout the stacks, I think you’ll find a preponderance of material in the PM 150’s and PS 150’s. You’ll also undoubtedly discover that a handful of university presses—Oklahoma, Nebraska, New Mexico, Arizona—account for a huge share of the field.)

Arrange your entries alphabetically in MLA format. (You should already own a copy of the latest edition of the MLA Guide.)

As for other mechanical and stylistic details: there are lots of sites on the web devoted to annotated bibliographies. Feel free to use either or both of the following as your guide(s).

If any other questions arise, don’t hesitate to ask in class or by e-mail. I’d prefer that you submit your entries electronically (in an html-formatted e-mail, or in an attached document in Word or HTML format); that way, Joan and I can easily compile them into a longer document to be posted on her web page at the Library. I’d be happy to glance at (and comment upon) rough drafts.