Thesis Statement Examples: you address both sides of the argument and state your position.
Supporting/defending: (The American dream is attainable): There are people in America that
believe the dream is turning into a nightmare, however, the dream is still attainable in today’s society
because…(your reason/concrete detail)
Refuting/Challenging: (The dream is not attainable it’s a nightmare) People believe that the
American dream is still attainable, however others believe the dream is turning into a nightmare
because….AND
Qualifying: (It is attainable, but also a nightmare): There is a debate on whether the American dream
is still attainable because… or if the dream is turning into a nightmare due to the fact that…
Body Paragraph Example: (The Attainable Dream) Reasons: making something out of nothing and
concept of the American dream is financial stability, isn’t that part of the dream?
(Topic sentence: lead into your topic) The American dream is still attainable in today’s society,
because you have the opportunity to work for what you want and achieve your dream and gain
financial stability. (CD #1: first supporting evidence for your reason(s)) In the essay “They Live the
Dream” Wayne Ford as a junior high student had to write his own obituary and was asked how he
would like to be remembered. Coming from a rough part of Washington D.C., he realized he wanted
to “make his mark on the Midwest” and become active in politics. Ford States, “it all started to come
together. The worst things in my life were the things that had the potential to make me great.” (Rather
42) (Commentary: make the connection between quote and thesis, how does it prove your point?)
Americans have the opportunity to work to gain success just like people in the past. It is about the
willingness to work hard to achieve their dream. It shouldn’t matter where you were born or what
social class you were born into. The American dream is attainable through hard work.(Concrete
detail #2: first supporting evidence for your reason(s)) Some people say that America is becoming
materialistic, but this shouldn’t be mistaken for Americans wanting a better quality of life. In Steve
Boston’s article, “The Pursuit of Happiness and the American Dream”, he states “we shouldn’t
downplay the importance of the drive to have enough money to live a comfortable life. The American
dream of owning a home and having a business or a job that can offer financial stability and
independence is our heritage.” (Commentary: make the connection between quote and thesis, how
does it prove your point?)) Financial stability has always been part of the American dream; it doesn’t
mean that every individual is materialistic. It means that the American dream has always been about
a person and their “pursuit to happiness”. Each person has their own individual definition of financial
stability; which weighs heavily on the dream they want to obtain. (Concluding sentence: conclude
your paragraph and set yourself up for the next topic) Most Americans believe that the American
dream is still alive today, but is it really attainable or merely just a concept used for motivation?
[Same format for your 2 other body paragraphs]