American Dream Synthesis Essay

Reading Time: 15 minutes Suggested

Writing Time: 40 Minutes

Directions: The following prompt is based on the accompanying four sources. This questionrequires you to integrate a variety of sources into a coherent, well-written essay. When yousynthesize sources you refer to them to develop your position and cite them accurately. Yourargument should be central; the sources should support this argument. Avoid merelysummarizing sources. Remember to attribute both direct and indirect citations.

Prompt: The American Dream, the idea that our country offers everyone, regardless ofbackground or circumstance, opportunity, freedom, and the promise of prosperity, is partof the social and cultural history of the United States. Consider the source material that wehave already read:

● The Crucible by Arthur Miller● “To the Right Honorable William, Lord Dartmouth” by Phillis Wheately● “Sympathy” by Paul Lawrence Dunbar● “I Sing America” by Walt Whitman, in which he celebrates the working people

● “A Bird Came Down the Walk” by Emily Dickinson

● “ Fall of the House of Usher” by Poe

● Coming Out of the Shadows speeches

The idea of the American Dream remains a part of our public discourse. Does our countrystill provide the promise of prosperity regardless of circumstance?

Assignment: In an essay that synthesizes at least two sources for support, construct an argumentabout the American Dream.

▪ intro– thesis ( opinion of the possibility/accessibility of the American

Dream ideal)

▪ Body paragraph #1– topic

● evidence

▪ Body Paragraph #2–topic

● evidence

▪ Conclusion

Cite sources:https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_formatting_and_style_guide.html

Introduce sources in the introduction.

In text citation: According to ____________, the author states….

Parenthetical: “ blah blah blah” ( name author).

Additional Sources

Source A: (“Welcome to All” Puck 1880)

See:https://www.hppr.org/post/immigration-stories-caricatures-and-stereotypes-stauth-museum

Source B ( Hughes)

“I, Too” BY LANGSTON HUGHES

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.They send me to eat in the kitchenWhen company comes,But I laugh,And eat well,And grow strong.

Tomorrow,I’ll be at the tableWhen company comes.Nobody’ll dareSay to me,“Eat in the kitchen,”Then.

Besides,They’ll see how beautiful I amAnd be ashamed—

I, too, am America.

Source C ( Bernstein)

Lyrics to “America” from West Side Story: https://www.westsidestory.com/americaVideo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhSKk-cvblc

Source D ( Marcello, Tureen, and Salter)

Article:https://apnews.com/article/immigration-churches-sanctuary-biden-9904b23125e3db6fa0844be34982438c