Although the Idea Itself Is Much Older, the Term the American Dream First Appeared in A

Although the idea itself is much older, the term “The American Dream” first appeared in a book written by historian James Truslow Adams in 1931. He stated the American Dream is "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement…It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position."

In a short essay, please address the following question: Does the American Dream as articulated by Adams still exist? Can it still be attained? This is an argumentative essay, so make sure you establish an argumentative claim (take a position), address potential counterarguments, and support your claim from the sources you have read, your group discussion and your own experience.

This is a personal response, so you may use the first person. I expect you to use this opportunity to demonstrate your ability to write clearly and cohesively, and to use the rules of good writing. Your ideas should be strongly supported and clearly explained. You will need a thesis statement to focus your response. I will be assessing this assignment based on the argumentative rubric we looked at in class.

Although the idea itself is much older, the term “The American Dream” first appeared in a book written by historian James Truslow Adams in 1931. He stated the American Dream is "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement…It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position."

In a short essay, please address the following question: Does the American Dream as articulated by Adams still exist? Can it still be attained? This is an argumentative essay, so make sure you establish an argumentative claim (take a position), address potential counterarguments, and support your claim from the sources you have read, your group discussion and your own experience.

This is a personal response, so you may use the first person. I expect you to use this opportunity to demonstrate your ability to write clearly and cohesively, and to use the rules of good writing. Your ideas should be strongly supported and clearly explained. You will need a thesis statement to focus your response. I will be assessing this assignment based on the argumentative rubric we looked at in class.