Day 36 ENGLISH 11

Seating Charts! ASK YOUR NEW PARTNER WHAT THEY DID OVER BREAK AND WHAT THEIR FAVORITE MOVIE IS.

Synthesizing the American Dream EMBEDDED ASSESSMENT 2 TURN TO PAGE 87

Rubric LET’S BREAK THIS DOWN.

IDEAS (50) ~Thesis Strong thesis that anticipates audience needs Provides a straightforward thesis Unfocused or limited Weak or missing ~Evidence Relevant, significant, & substantial RelevantWeak Underdeveloped or missing evidence ~Synthesize Multiple Sources Synthesizes multiple relevant perspectives Incorporates information Inconsistently incorporated information Insufficiently incorporates information

STRUCTURE (30) ~Organization of ideas Organized to effectively reinforce the ideas of the argument Organized to support the ideas of the argument Follows a simplistic organization with lapses in structure Shows a lack of organization that detracts from argument ~Introduction & Conclusion Effective & engaging that articulate the significance of the topic Clear and focused Underdeveloped or unfocused Lacks an introduction or conclusion ~Transitions Moves smoothly with successful use of transitions that enhance coherence Using transitions to moves between ideas Inconsistent use of transitions Lacks transitions

USE OF LANGUAGE (20) ~Grammar & Usage Superior command of conventions of standard English Command of conventions with only minor errors Errors may cause confusion Contains errors that interfere with meaning ~Diction & Syntax Employs precise diction and skillful use of syntax, with keen attention to varied sentence openings Uses logical diction and syntax, with some attention to varied sentence openings, Unevenly uses diction and syntax; few varied sentence openings Contains lapses in diction or syntax; sentence openings repetitive

Student Sample

Introduction No matter a person’s cultural background, language spoken, or life experiences, there’s a single ideal that anyone living in America can understand: the concept of the American Dream. The images that come to mind when one thinks about the American Dream are common: freedom and equal rights for all citizens, an equal opportunity for all to achieve goals of professional success and wealth, the belief that everything is attainable in life if one just works hard enough and stays focused. However, you can look at the newspaper and quickly realize that there are many Americans who are not getting to see an American Dream come true. Prices of everything from food to health care, rise from year to year, and many types of jobs become harder to find.

1 st CQC (one source) 1. In Barack Obama’s “Keynote Address from the 2004 Democratic National Convention” 2. he spoke to a national audience about how the American Dream was a significant part of his life. Obama explained how his parents believed that anyone could achieve the American Dream, no matter the person’s social or economic status. 3. He went on to say that his parents “imagined [him] going to the best schools in the land, even though they weren’t rich, because in America you don’t have to be rich to achieve your potential.” 4. This may be the most common vision of the American Dream: of a country were the streets are paved with gold, gold that can be had by any citizen through hard work and determination.

2 nd CQC (2 nd Source) TRANSITION: However, the reality of the Dream is different from this vision. 1. According to David Wallenchinsky’s article “Is the American Dream Still Possible?” 2. published in Parade magazine in October 2010 and based on a survey of 2,200 Americans, many people aren’t seeing the Dream come true. 3. Wallenchinsky writes that nearly “two-thirds say they live from paycheck to paycheck, and 47% say that no matter how hard they work, they cannot get ahead. More than a third worry about job loss.” 4. However, nearly 75% of those who took the survey said that they believe they can succeed or fail based on their own determination. This shows a clear contradiction between the ability to achieve the American Dream and the actual reality of achieving it. Even if the American Dream, and the money that comes with such success, isn’t attainable, the American Dream is still important because it drives people to work and reach for success.

Possible thesis for you! 1. America still provides access to the American Dream to any citizen or With hard work, any person could have access to the American Dream. 2. America no longer provides the opportunity and access to the American Dream to all of its citizens or Some would say the American Dream is not real. 3. For some, the American Dream is still a reality, but for others, it will always be just a dream.

Evidence (3 sources!) You MUST use Of Mice and Men (one source). Other options: “Is the American Dream still possible?” Wallenchinsky The Declaration of Independence “Ellis Island” Bruchac “On Being Brought from Africa to America” Wheatley “Europe and America” Ignatow Anything from pgs

Outline Today you have class time to complete your template. You can use this organized template to help you plan out your essay. The outline is a part of your grade! Easy points! Due at the end of class Friday stapled to your essay. You have the full class period Friday to type. We will meet in D214.