The American Dream & A Raisin in the Sun
Synthesis Essay
Objective: You will compose a synthesis essay to show what you have learned about the
American Dream through our sources. A synthesis essay shows what you have learned
about a given topic and uses the sources to support what you have learned. You will
respond to the given prompt and use the play and at least one other source to support
your ideas.
Prompt: We have discussed the American Dream at great length. The American Dream
is the promise that everyone, regardless of background or circumstance, has the
opportunity and freedom to achieve a better life through hard work. Starting in the very
beginning of our country, the American Dream is still an important focus in our country
today. Based on what you have read and learned, why is the American Dream
important?
You will write a paper where you discuss your ideas on this given prompt, using at least
2 of our sources for support, the play and one of the informational sources.
Sources:
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
“What is the American Dream?” Background Essay
2004 DNC Keynote Address by Barack Obama
“Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?: Changing Conception of the American Dream” by
Matthew Warshauer
Synthesis Visual:
What is the
American
Dream?
Your opinion
The importance of the dream
in A Raisin in the Sun
How the American Dream is important
in society
How what you learned applies to your
own life in your quest for the
American Dream
Facts from the play
Facts from additional source
Application/So What?
Essay Outline:
I.
Introduction
a. Introduce your topic you will be discussing
i. In this case, explain what the American Dream is
b. Introduce the sources you are using
i. Title & Author
ii. What each writer talks about in the source
c. Include your thesis to introduce the focus of your synthesis
i. What point are you making about the importance of the American
Dream
II.
Body (organized by theme, point, similarity, or aspect of the topic)
a. Begin with a topic sentence to introduce a point that supports your thesis
b. Include information from your source
i. Introduce the source (ie According to Obama…)
ii. Quote a detail or example from your source that supports your
point
iii. Give appropriate credit to your sources (MLA Format)
c. Analyze your source
i. Explain how your source supports your idea. What do we learn
about the importance of the American Dream from your source?
III.
Conclusion
a. Think about the ideas you discussed from your sources
b. Explain what each of these ideas mean to you. Apply them your own life
c. Also explain how these ideas relate to the world as a whole