The American Dream
Argument of Judgment
100 Assessment Points
ASSIGNMENT
Your assignment is to synthesize at least 4 of the 7 sources and take a
position that defends, qualifies or challenges the claim that America still
provides access to the American Dream, to the “tired, the poor, and the
huddled masses.”
THE STRUCTURE
 This must be a complete essay, with a clear beginning, middle and end
 You must use both direct and indirect evidence (min. of 3-5 quotes from 47 different sources)
 You will want to define what the American dream is
 You will need to type this piece
 You will need to use MLA format
 No Works Cited page will be necessary
 Submit Essay to Turnitin.com by class the day it due
THE PROCESS
Below you will find the assignments you will complete as you write this
piece.
1. Target Notes
Due
2. Defining the American Dream
Due
3. Working Thesis
Due
4. Claim, Evidence, Warrant Chart
Due
5. Rough Draft
Due
6. Peer Review
Due
7. Final Draft
Due
Name
Period
Rubric: Synthesizing the American Dream
Focus
 Intriguing essay title
 Establishes a strong, distinct thesis that clearly defends,
challenges, or qualifies the central claim of the prompt
 Thesis contextualizes the issue and captures its complexity
 Maintains a single controlling argumentative idea throughout
Content
 Effectively synthesizes sources and the writer’s position to
support thesis
 Presents a cohesive, sustained argument
 Supports the thesis with a well developed body paragraphs
that include a substantial amount to relevant, accurate,
specific and effective evidence
 Claims and evidence have clear warrants (either explicit or
implicit)
 Address all necessary areas of discussion and development
 Minimum of 3-5 quotations form 3-5 sources
 Quotes are smoothly integrated and do not overwhelm the
paper
 Choice of documentation is appropriate and effectively adds
to overall point
Organization
 Effective organization aptly reinforces the ideas of the
argument
 Ideas move smoothly and comfortably with successful use of
transitions that enhance the essay’s coherence
 Body paragraphs include topic sentences that introduce a
specific topic
 Intro paragraph appropriately sets up the argument and the
ends with the thesis
 Conclusion goes beyond a summary of the thesis by
illuminating how the writer’s position will continue to influence
the reader
Documentation
 Follows MLA exactly for the format of the essay and all the
documentation
 Includes accurate citations of sources
Style and Conventions
 Demonstrates a mature style that advances the writer’s ideas
 Precise diction (clear, varied, and effective word choice)
 Skillful use of syntax (attention to varied sentence openings
and lengths)
 Uses a consistent convincing voice that is appropriate to the
audience
 Standard writing conventions are followed with few to no
mistakes
Exemplary
Proficient
Emerging
20 19 18
17 16 15
14 12 11
20 19 18
17 16 15
14 12 11
20 19 18
17 16 15
14 12 11
20 19 18
17 16 15
14 12 11
20 19 18
17 16 15
14 12 11