American Dream

Purpose: In this essay, students will demonstrate how well they have mastered complex analytical thinking.
Students will continue to refine their controlling ideas, paragraphs, sentence variety, style, and MLA format.
Finally, students will consult, evaluate, and cite at least four (4) sources, two from class readings and two from
outside the class. One of those outside sources must be a scholarly source. Minimum Word Count: 1,000
(maximum 1,200) Total Points: 200 Readings: “The Upside of Income
Inequality”https://www.aei.org/articles/the-upside-of-income-inequality/ “Income Inequality: Too Big to Ignore”
https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/17/business/17view.html “Inequality Has Been Going On Forever…”
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/04/magazine/inequality-has-been-going-on-forever-but-that-doesnt-mean-itsinevitable.html “Income Inequality Isn’t the Problem” https://www.hoover.org/research/income-inequality-isntproblem “Inequality Can Be a Good Thing” “Why Inequality Doesn’t Matter” “RIP, the Middle Class: 1946-2013”
“King’s Dream Remains an Elusive Goal” “America Remains the World’s Beacon of Success” Topic: The
“American Dream” remains one of the most popular narratives in the United States. Using material from our
textbook as well as two (2) outside sources, write an essay addressing the following questions: To what extent
is achieving the “American Dream” still possible in the United States today, and how concerned should we be
about it? Important Notes: • You will use four sources total, two from class readings and two from outside the
class. One of your outside sources must be a scholarly source. • This essay asks you to synthesize complex
concepts. Therefore, it is essential that you have a clear and specific thesis. Underline your thesis. Be explicit
and concrete. • You should define what you mean by the “American Dream” to anchor your argument. •
Remember that this essay is worth 200 points. It is also longer than your prior essays. It is the biggest single
assignment of the semester. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to write. Please use two sources from the
reading and two outside source, one being scholarly.