English II
The American Dream In-Class Essay
Directions: After reading the following topic carefully, please complete an essay in which you discuss the given
subject. Follow the guidelines that are outlined below.
Now that we have completed the reading of A Raisin in the Sun and The Great Gatsby, you may have noticed
that each work discusses some important themes, both on a personal level and on a societal level. Among
these themes, perhaps none is more obvious or important than the authors’ commentaries on the American
Dream, an idea around which the works revolve. In a well-constructed essay, please respond to the following
question:
What has happened to the American Dream in the last 90 years?
For example, according to the authors, does the American Dream exist? More importantly, is it attainable? Or
has the American Dream changed? First, using textual evidence and examples, establish what each work
suggests about the subject. Then, using modern-day evidence and examples from a source that you will bring
in (an article from your own research that you will turn in), establish what the American Dream is today.
Your essay should be five paragraphs (at least eight sentences per body paragraph), double-spaced, and in
M.L.A. format. It should follow typical grammar conventions (no contractions, no first- or second-person,
correct punctuation, etc.), as well. Be sure to include textual evidence and specific examples from modern
America. Although there are many ways to approach this essay, the following is a suggested format:
Paragraph One (Introduction): Attention-getter; background information; claim (your answer to the
prompt).
Paragraph Two (Body): Topic sentence (main point that establishes the view of the American Dream in
the 1920s); explain your point; offer your examples/quotations and explain; wrap-up sentence.
Paragraph Three (Body): Topic sentence (main point that establishes the view of the American Dream
in the 1950s); explain your point; offer your examples/quotations and explain; wrap-up sentence.
Paragraph Four (Body): Topic sentence (main point that establishes the modern view of the American
Dream); explain your point; offer your examples and explain; wrap-up sentence.
Paragraph Five (Conclusion): Restate the thesis (using different words); summarize main points;
clincher/epiphany (final statement about the American Dream).
The final draft of the essay is due by the end of the period on Tuesday, May 19th. Essays will be collected
regardless of how much is completed. On the back of this page is the rubric by which your essay will be
evaluated. Please read through and pay close attention so you know what to include.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Good luck!
English II
The Great Gatsby
The American Dream Essay Rubric
A 46-50
 These essays will correctly identify authors’ views of the American Dream and offer a clear picture of
the modern American Dream.
 These essays will have a strong claim and maintain and support the thesis throughout the essay.
 These essays will be focused, logically argued, and supported by various references to the novel.
 The textual references will be correctly cited.
 These essays will use modern examples from a credible source to arrive at viable conclusions.
 While these essays will be written in a fluid natural voice, they may contain minor errors but none that
detract from the answer's clarity.
 These essays will be free from grammatical errors (fragments, run-ons, comma splices, etc.).
B 41-45
 These essays will do everything that an "A" essay will do but only to a lesser extent.
 While the authors’ views may be identified and supported, a "B" essay will have a more general claim
and be supported by fewer details from the texts and from modern society.
 The textual references will be correctly cited.
 These essays may occasionally stray from the claim, but never to the extent that the focus of the essay
is lost.
 While these essays will be fluid and written in a natural voice, they may have some parts that seem
stilted and cliché.
 These essays should contain few mechanical errors.
C 36-40
 These essays will struggle to arrive at a viable claim.
 The student may have misread the texts.
 These essays may incorrectly interpret the authors’ messages when making conclusions in the essay.
 The essay can still be a "C" if, even while the student misinterpreted the texts, he/she still uses the
texts to support his/her understanding.
 Several of the textual references are incorrectly cited.
 These essays may make few or no direct references to the text or to modern society, and may tend to
summarize rather than analyze the examples.
 These essays may be somewhat confused and the writing style may labor or be stilted.
 These essays will contain some to several mechanical errors.
D 33-35
 These essays will not sufficiently answer the question asked.
 They will be mostly a (potentially incorrect) summary of the text.
 These essays will neither contain a thesis nor use any support to maintain a point.
 Or, a viable essay is so poorly written that a reader must truly struggle to make sense of the answer.
 Evidence of an incorrect interpretation may be present.
F 32 and Below
 These essays will fail to address the question.
 They will demonstrate a lack of effort or ability to read the text at all.