Journal Entry/Discussion Topic

Define what you believe the American Dream means in the world we live in today.

Do you think this definition might have been interpreted differently 50 years ago? 100 years ago? 200 years ago? (think of specific time periods in American history)

Is it possible for everyone to reach their American Dream? What factors might prohibit someone from reaching their dream in this country?

Write for at least 10 minutes total on these 3 questions before we discuss together.

“The Newsroom”

Following is a clip from the HBO Show “The Newsroom.”

We will watch it twice. The first time, just watch/listen, and take it all in.

After the first viewing, we will come up with a thesis statement explaining what the main character thinks about the American Dream. What’s his point of view? What’s his main claim? Main argument?

The second time we watch, be prepared to write down facts from the character’s speech that function as evidence for the statement we constructed.

Disclaimer: There are some curse words.

“The Newsroom” Thesis Statement

In the HBO show “The Newsroom”, the main character is critical of America and the American dream, as he believes American values have deteriorated and that people are less genuine. He also notes that other countries are now equal to or better than America and that this current generation could learn from the achievements of previous generations.

Evidence to support thesis Smarter people generally lose elections 180/207 countries have freedom 7th in literacy 27th in math 22nd in science 49th in life expectancy 178th infant mortality (29th in keeping babies alive) 3rd in median household income 4th in labor, 4th in exports We lead the world in the # of adults who believe

angels are real (stupid), # of people in jail, defense spending

In past times in America, we were more creative, more optimistic, more caring, more motivated, more moral, more encouraging of intelligence, etc.

Counter-arguments

Although we are not #1 in the world in some areas, there are nations that are still much worse.

Racism and sexism were worse in earlier times in America than now, so how could those times be better and more caring?

We actually do seem to value intelligence now, as shown by words like “nerd” and “geek” being terms of endearment, not insults.

People believing in angels can show faith in religion, not just stupidity.

Article Reading/AnnotationRead “Keeping the Dream Alive” and

annotate it in the following way, with three different color highlighters.

Color 1: Highlight comments that SUPPORT the existence of the American Dream.Color 2: Highlight comments that QUESTION or are AGAINST the existence of the American Dream.Color 3: Words/references/general ideas that are unfamiliar to you or difficult to understand.

Thesis Statement about the American Dream from “Keeping the Dream Alive”

What’s the author’s overall point of view/claim/argument about the American Dream? Model it after the one we did together from “The Newsroom”.

In the article “Keeping the Dream Alive” by Jon Meacham of Time Magazine (2012), Meacham claims that the validity of the American Dream is a sliding scale. In other words, America has always had flaws and merits, and it really depends on the people of the time to keep the dream alive.

“What Land of Opportunity?”

Read it quickly!When done, write a thesis statement

that explains the author’s overall point of view/claim/argument about the American Dream (on the article itself or in your notebook).

Highlight or underline pieces of evidence to support the thesis.

Thesis Statement about the American Dream from “What Land of Opportunity?”

In the article “What Land of Opportunity?” by Joseph E. Stiglitz, the author claims that the American dream is a myth. However, he thinks it can be saved if the government establishes economic growth and equality for all social classes.

Read one more article (HW)

For HW this weekend, in addition to the creative vocabulary activity, you will choose one of the American dream articles listed under “Links” on the website to read.

Click on all of them and see the titles before you decide which one interests you the most.

When done reading, construct a thesis statement that explains what that author believes about the American Dream. (write in your notebook or on the article itself)

Last step: gather evidence to support the thesis either print the article and highlight 3+ quotes to support, OR write out 3+ quotes (with citations) in your notebook as support.

Article discussions Discuss the article you read with 1-3 other

people who read the same one. Make sure you all speak!

Why did you choose it? What did you find interesting about it?

Compare thesis statements on the article. Possibly edit yours if someone else has an idea you like.

Compare evidence noted or highlighted. Add highlights or quotes to your notebook if others brought up strong evidence you did not notice.

Overall, do you agree or disagree with the main claim(s) of the article?

Song discussionsEach person should share out which

song they chose and why.Clearly explain WHAT the song is

about, WHY it was written, and HOW the song gets its message across through use of language.

Think about and discuss: What definition of the American Dream do the songs relate to? Are they about fame and riches? Or other things? Is there a pattern in terms of what each music genre tends to focus on?

American Dream Paragraph Prompt: Expository/Argument

Using the sources you have examined, explain why there is such controversy over the American Dream. (expository part)

Argue a particular point of view for its existence: is it real but can be recovered? Is it an illusion?, etc. (argument part)

Do not use first person Use examples from the three sources

looked at to explain the controversy and argue a certain point of view (select the best evidence for support)

Draft 2: Structure (HW)

Write a second draft of your paragraph, focusing on writing structure as reviewed in class today.

Topic sentence (TS), brief explanation of controversy with evidence, at least two chunks (two textual truths (TTs)/pieces of evidence (EV) to support your argument about what is happening to the American Dream & commentary/analysis (CMs)) for those pieces of evidence, and a concluding sentence (CS).

Use evidence from at least two different sources. Make sure one of them is the article you did on your own for HW.

Remember, evidence refers to quotes and paraphrases, both of which need to be cited.

Newsroom citation: (Sorkin 2012); TV show on HBO

Journal Entry

What differences did you see between your first and second drafts? What did you do well in your opinion? What do you think you still need to improve?

Draft 3: Integration of text You must use evidence from at least 2 of the 4 sources you

studied (1 should be a required class source (Newsroom video clip, “Keeping the Dream Alive”, or “What Land of Opportunity?” and 1 should be from the additional article you read from the website). DO NOT use only one source---that is not balanced!

Remember, one piece of EV goes in the expository (explaining) part of the paragraph, and the other two are in the argument part. You can of course have more as you see fit.

Make sure the quotes and paraphrases you have chosen are the BEST pieces of evidence to support your ideas.

You will integrate at least two quotes correctly (of the three required pieces of evidence), using an effective transition and lead-in before the quotes (TLQ). The other piece of EV may be a paraphrase if you wish.

Your textual truths or lead-ins to a piece of evidence should in some way reference the point of view of the author whose quote you are using.

Cite quotes and paraphrases in MLA format: (author last name pg#)

Use the authors’ names in the paragraph as well as the titles of the articles/publications and their dates if they boost credibility.

Example of properly integrated text

In “Keeping the Dream Alive” by Jon Meacham published in Time Magazine (2012), the author seems to try to persuade readers to step up and help keep the American dream alive, perhaps by becoming leaders. Specifically, he states “we are the only ones who can create a climate for the American Dream to survive another generation…” (5).****This contains the article title, author, publication, year, author’s point of view/thesis, a transition, lead-in, quote, and citation. Whew!

Draft 4: Upgrading language

You will make sure your topic and concluding sentences are strong, specific, and insightful.

Your CS should not be the same as your TS – you should have a new level of insight to share by the end of the paragraph.

Identify words that are too elementary or not specific enough, and find synonyms that are more sophisticated and specific.

Get rid of any 1st person (I) and make sure 2nd person (you) is limited.

Correct, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Due TUESDAY 2-17: Final Draft Revise everything you need to as pointed out by me

on your most recent draft, and by your peers on previous drafts.

Bring printed copy to class Tuesday and submit to turnitin by 7am that day.

Should be in MLA format (check the top of 11CP Documents for guidance on font, heading, spacing, header, margins, etc.)

Make a Works Cited page for all sources (formatted example at the top of 11CP Docs or use EasyBib.com)

When you turn it in, you will have the final draft on top and all previous drafts plus the peer review sheet stapled behind it so you can get credit for the HWs and classwork as well as the final draft grade.

American Dream Paragraph-Purpose/Skills Gained

You have now studied a topic (the American Dream) in depth, and have done the following:

Shared your initial impressions of it (journal entry) Studied multi-media sources that discuss it (articles,

video, songs) Figured out how the authors of the sources feel about it

(author’s point of view/perspective) Used the sources to explain something about the

American Dream (that it is “controversial”, that it is a myth, that it can be restored, etc.)

Perhaps you have manipulated the facts in the sources to prove what your view of the American Dream is, without using first person

Purpose/Skills Gained cont.

You have written about this, and have improved the CONTENT, STRUCTURE, INTEGRATION OF TEXT, AND LANGUAGE in your writing

Done multiple drafts This semester, we will repeat this process in some

way, shape or form with every unit, as we will always look at related sources in addition to the main piece of literature we are reading

You have also practiced important skills you will need for your research paper, which is similar, except it is about a whole book and the ideas in it, not just one idea or topic (the American Dream)

Moving forward…

You are now going to apply these skills to write a written analysis of “The Trial of Arthur Miller” and how/why it is so persuasive, using some new knowledge you will get today about rhetorical devices and persuasive language

This time, you will only be analyzing one source, but what you learned about structure, integration of text, and academic language still applies

Areas for improvement

Based on the Am. Dream paras, these are areas that many of you need to continue to work on:

1. Having enough commentary after evidence2. Having commentary after evidence that is

relevant and actually explains how the evidence helps to prove your main point from your TS

3. Deliberately choosing the order of your evidence so that your ideas progress and develop instead of falling flat or being repetitive

4. Using more formal/academic language 5. Following general guidelines (turning things in on

time, having a Works Cited when told to, actually using Easy Bib to make a correct Works Cited, etc.)