American Dream Project 2014-15

Step 1: Submit a proposed topic for your research essay.

Step 2: Locate and annotate at least 5 credible research sources on your approved topic. Submit your finished research by adding each source to a Diigo Outliner list entitled "First initial.Last name P.# Genius Research" and emailing the Outliner list link to me on School Loop.

Step 3: Compose an 800-1200 word (3-4 page) informative/argumentative essay on your approved topic that incorporates your research findings. Use Diigo urls of annotated sources as internal citations throughout your essay; otherwise, no special formatting (i.e. MLA) is required. Submit this essay on Turnitin for scoring.

Step 4: Create a dynamic, multimedia version of your essay, using the Genius annotation platform. Begin by posting your research essay on Genius. Then complete the requirements below:

1. Introduce your essay in the Description box on the right side of the page by noting the inspiration for your topic and its connection to our 1st Semester readings. In other words, what interested you about this specific research question?

2. Complete the title and metadata information for your page. Remember to add your page to the Collection: American Dream Project 2014-15.

3. Replace internal citations with Genius annotations that link cited information directly to your Diigo-annotated sources. (Note: These research annotations should represent at least 5 credible sources on your topic.)

4. Create a minimum of 5 additional Genius annotations on your essay. Suggested annotations include:
A) Multimedia elements (audio, video, image) that augment your discussion of the research topic. Be sure to include an explanation of their relevance!
B) Additional relevant commentary, such as connections to course readings, an explanation of historical or cultural references, links to counterarguments with your rebuttals, etc.
C) Links to additional sources on your topic with an explanation of their relevance, e.g. news coverage of recent events. (Note: These links are supplemental! No annotation through Diigo is required, and they do not count as one of your 5 required sources.)

5. Optional: Add title image/video/audio relevant to your topic.

Step 5: Critique, evaluate, and celebrate your peer's projects, using the Genius platform.