1. Journal (in your notebook)
At this moment in time, would you argue that the American is achievable or is not achievable?
Practice creating an argument with the following outline (one paragraph only):
Your claim
Three primary pieces of evidence
A counterclaim (address the opposing side)
Your concluding statement

2. You may work with a group or alone…
READ:
SpringBoard p. 93: excerpt from Obama’s “Keynote Address to the Democratic National Convention”
SpringBoard p. 97: William Zinsser’s “The Right to Fail”
WHILE READING:
Underline phrases that show the authors’ definitions of the American Dream
Highlight phrases that show each author feels about access to the American Dream
Makes notes in the margins as needed
Add evidence to your yellow t-chart (on either side)

3. Narrative Writing Prompt (with group)
Imagine Obama and Zinsser having a conversation about the American Dream. What would that sounds like? How would they view and respond to each other’s ideas? Think about… - what ideas they would each assert - what qualifications they would offer to the other’s ideas - which of the other’s ideas they would challenge or disagree with - what responses they would use to defend their own ideas As a group, write their dialogue. Use the texts as the basis for what you are writing and be sure to represent each’s ideas fairly and fully. *You only need one paper per group.*