ENGLISH COMPOSITION

COMPETENCIES
127.1.1 : Research
The graduate evaluates the quality, credibility, and relevance of evidence in order to integrate evidence into a
final research paper.
127.1.2 : Writing Process
The graduate applies steps of the writing process appropriately to improve quality of writing.
INTRODUCTION
Task 1: Annotated Bibliography
The first stages of the research writing process involve topic selection, formulation of a research question,
preliminary research, and the development of a working thesis statement. Now you will begin identifying and
evaluating sources to determine how effectively they can support your argument. If needed, the “Topic Ideas”
web link below can be used for selecting your research topic.
For this task, you will create an annotated bibliography by finding 8-10 sources for your research paper,
listing the sources in APA-formatted references, and providing an annotation for each source. Each
annotation should offer a summary of the source, an evaluation of its author’s or publisher’s credibility, and
an assessment of its relevance to your topic.
REQUIREMENTS
Your submission must be your original work. No more than a combined total of 30% of the submission and no
more than a 10% match to any one individual source can be directly quoted or closely paraphrased from
sources, even if cited correctly. An originality report is provided when you submit your task that can be used
as a guide.
You must use the rubric to direct the creation of your submission because it provides detailed criteria that
will be used to evaluate your work. Each requirement below may be evaluated by more than one rubric
aspect. The rubric aspect titles may contain hyperlinks to relevant portions of the course.
Note: When using sources to support ideas and elements in an assessment, the submission MUST include
APA formatted in-text citations with a corresponding reference list for any direct quotes or paraphrasing. It
is not necessary to list sources that were consulted if they have not been quoted or paraphrased in the text of
the assessment.
A. Compose an appropriate, arguable thesis statement that previews two to four main points and that you
plan to use in your research paper.
11/12/2019 WGU Performance Assessment
https://tasks.wgu.edu/student/001174780/course/9860004/task/995/overview 2/4
B. Create an annotated bibliography of eightto ten appropriate, credible sources that you plan to use in your
research paper.
Note: You may use the attached “Annotated Bibliography Template” to complete your annotated
bibliography, but use of the attached template is not required.
1. Provide a full, APA-formatted reference citation for the 8–10 sources.
2. Provide an annotation (suggested length of 150 words) for each of the 8–10 sources by doing the
following:
a. Summarize the information presented in the source.
b. Analyze the credibility of the author of the source or of the publication (e.g. journal, publisher, or
website), if no author is present.
c. Analyze the relevance of the source to your chosen research topic.
3. Write each annotation in your own words, without the excessive use of direct quotation or extensive
paraphrasing, for the 8–10 sources from part B.
C. Demonstrate professional communication in the content and presentation of your submission.
RUBRIC
A:THESIS STATEMENT
B:NUMBER OF SOURCES
B1:REFERENCE CITATIONS
NOT EVIDENT
A thesis statement that
previews 2–4 main points is not
provided.
APPROACHING
COMPETENCE
The thesis statement does not
logically present an arguable
position on an appropriate
research topic, or the thesis
statement’s preview of 2–4
main points contains one or
more main points that are
illogical or inappropriate for the
research topic.
COMPETENT
The thesis statement logically
presents an arguable position on
an appropriate research topic
and previews 2–4 main points.
NOT EVIDENT
An annotated bibliography with
8–10 sources is not provided.
APPROACHING
COMPETENCE
The annotated bibliography
contains 8–10 sources, but
fewer than 8 sources provided
are credible or appropriate for
the chosen research topic.
COMPETENT
The annotated bibliography
contains 8–10 credible sources
that are appropriate for the
chosen research topic.
11/12/2019 WGU Performance Assessment
https://tasks.wgu.edu/student/001174780/course/9860004/task/995/overview 3/4
B2A:SUMMARY OF THE SOURCE
B2B:CREDIBILITY OF THE SOURCE
B2C:RELEVANCE OF THE SOURCE
B3:ORIGINALITY OF ANNOTATIONS
NOT EVIDENT
Reference citations for the 8–10
sources from part B are not
provided.
APPROACHING
COMPETENCE
The reference citations for the
8–10 sources from part B
contain fewer than 8 citations
that are complete, or the
reference citations for the 8–10
sources from part B contain
fewer than 8 citations that
demonstrate a consistent
application of APA style.
COMPETENT
The reference citations for the
8–10 sources from part B are
complete and demonstrate a
consistent application of APA
style.
NOT EVIDENT
Source summaries for the 8–10
sources from part B are not
provided.
APPROACHING
COMPETENCE
The annotations for the 8–10
sources from part B contain
fewer than 8 annotations that
logically and accurately
summarize the information from
the annotated source.
COMPETENT
The annotations for the 8–10
sources from part B logically and
accurately summarize the
information presented in that
source.
NOT EVIDENT
Credibility analyses for the 8–
10 sources from part B are not
provided.
APPROACHING
COMPETENCE
The annotations for the sources
from part B contain fewer than
8 annotations that logically
analyze the credibility of the
source’s author or publication.
COMPETENT
The annotations for the 8–10
sources from part B logically
analyze the credibility of the
source’s author or publication.
NOT EVIDENT
Relevance analyses for the 8–10
sources from part B are not
provided.
APPROACHING
COMPETENCE
The annotations for the sources
from part B contain fewer than
8 annotations that logically
analyze the relevance of the
source to the candidate’s chosen
research topic.
COMPETENT
The annotations for the 8–10
sources from part B logically
analyze the relevance of the
source to the candidate’s chosen
research topic.
11/12/2019 WGU Performance Assessment
https://tasks.wgu.edu/student/001174780/course/9860004/task/995/overview 4/4
C:PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
WEB LINKS
Topic Ideas
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
Annotated Bibliography Template.docx
NOT EVIDENT
An original annotation for each
source from part B is not
provided.
APPROACHING
COMPETENCE
The annotations for the sources
from part B contain one or more
annotations that are not written
in the candidate’s own words, or
one or more of the annotations
for the sources from part B
contain excessive direct
quotation or extensive
paraphrasing.
COMPETENT
The annotations for the sources
in part B are each written in the
candidate’s own words and avoid
excessive use of direct quotation
or extensive paraphrasing.
NOT EVIDENT
Content is unstructured, is
disjointed, or contains pervasive
errors in mechanics, usage, or
grammar. Vocabulary or tone is
unprofessional or distracts from
the topic.
APPROACHING
COMPETENCE
Content is poorly organized, is
difficult to follow, or contains
errors in mechanics, usage, or
grammar that cause confusion.
Terminology is misused or
ineffective.
COMPETENT
Content reflects attention to
detail, is organized, and focuses
on the main ideas as prescribed
in the task or chosen by the
candidate. Terminology is
pertinent, is used correctly, and
effectively conveys the intended
meaning. Mechanics, usage, and
grammar promote accurate
interpretation and
understanding.