it was weird cuz i pretty much did my research first, like find out what i'll talk about, and then did the annotated bibs. it's a really awkward way, but my logic is that i didn't want to put stuff not relevant in those annotated bibs
Yes, it can be awkward! This is an important topic.
You know, a research essay can be a lot like an annotated bib. From one para to the next, you tell what researchers showed with their studies, and you quote what people said about the topic.
So, maybe you might be arguing something weirdly interesting -- for example, maybe you might end your first para with a thesis sentence that says that the Metamorphosis was largely autobiographical -- through symbolism, it reflected the life of Kafka -- so what you would do is...
A Clever Trick of Interpretation for Yang to Use
Read 5 articles by people who analyzed it, and tell all the stuff they say that supports YOUR argument!
I am mentioning this, because I think it can help you. It's a trick. You can use almost any article to support your argument, as long as you interpret it strategically -- like a clever attorney would interpret the facts of a case to support her argument. This is a good skill to have, ha ha.
But you are right; it can be awkward to make a bibliography before you make the paper, because you don't know what will be relevant! That is why it is important to know this trick of clever interpretation.
:-)