American Dream Synthesis Essay Introduction – Understanding Our Task 1. What does synthesis mean? It is a summary of an argument. 2. What sources do we have? a. A Raisin in the Sun (Play) b. “The History of the American Dream” (Article) c. The House on Mango Street (novel) d. B.o.B “American Dreamin’” (Lyrics) e. “Harlem” (Poem) f. “Liberty” (Short Story) g. “American Way”/”Migrant Worker” (Image) h. “The American Nightmare” (Article) i. Cadillac Commercial j. “Money and Happiness” (Charts) k. 3. How do we write a good expository essay? Introduction Hook the reader Thesis is effective and organized Format it correctly Body Argue using evidence well Organization Effective transitions between and in paragraphs Language Using precise language Effective word choice Conclusion Relates Summarizes Extends American Dream Synthesis Essay 4. What will we be writing about? Brainstorm/Collection – Developing and Organizing Our Ideas What lessons did we learn about the American Dream? The American Dream started to become about materials (AD Article) AD wasn’t reality for everyone, especially during Great Depression (Migrant Worker) Money doesn’t lead to happiness (Charts) Sometimes dreams are put off, dream big, may not happen, being happy with what you have or can achieve (Raisin in the Sun) AD takes dedication, patience, and sacrifice (Liberty) You have to work hard, everything’s not given to you, you can’t cheat yourself, have to believe in it (House on Mango Street) American Dream Synthesis Essay *Hand this sheet in with your two bubble sheets for full credit in the brainstorming section of the essay. Synthesis – Organizing and Making Sense of Our Ideas – Which one of our ideas can be supported by multiple sources? Themes 1. American Dream takes sacrifice 2. Hard work pays off 3. Money doesn’t buy the AD. 4. People try to take advantage of the AD 5. Dream to something you can achieve Multiple Sources 1. Raisin in the Sun, Liberty, House on Mango Street 2. Liberty, House on Mango Street 3. Cadillac commercial, Charts, Raisin in the Sun 4. Raisin in the Sun, House on Mango Street, Cadillac commercial, Billboard 5. Raisin in the Sun, House on Mango Street, Liberty American Dream Synthesis Essay Choose the best three statements (we will have three body paragraphs) – are there any three that are related to each other in some way? If so, those would be best. Write them into the left column. Then, spend some time to create one, coherent thesis Body Paragraphs American Dream takes sacrifice Money can’t buy happiness in the AD Dream to something you can achieve Thesis Statement The American Dream is making sacrifices and being content with one’s choices. American Dream Synthesis Essay Body Paragraph 1 Outline Statement – What theme did you learn? American Dream takes sacrifice Proof 1 – What source taught you this theme? What did the source say? “My papa, his thick hands, thick shoes, who wakes up tired in the dark and combs his hair with water” (Cisneros, 57). House on Mango Street Explanation 1 – In the book House on Mango Street, Esperanza’s father wakes up early in order to go to work. He does this to achieve his AD, which is providing for his family. Explain your previous Proof? How does it teach us the theme? Transition – Transition from your 1st Proof to the 2nd one. Next, in the story “Liberty”, there is another young girl who experiences sacrifice. Proof 2 – Same as Proof 1, but use a different source and quote. “All liberty involves sacrifice” (Alvarez, 148) American Dream Synthesis Essay Explanation 2 Explain your previous Proof? How does it teach us the theme? Synthesis – Summarize your paragraph. Mention theme and Proofs. Julia’s family did not feel free in their own country, and were moving to the United States. Julia herself let her beloved dog free in order to make the move, therefore sacrificing something for her AD. It takes sacrifice in order to achieve the AD. This is shown with Esperanza’s father in HOMS, and Julia and her dog in “Liberty”. Both characters made sacrifices for what they wanted. Body Paragraph 2 Outline Statement – What theme did you learn? Proof 1 – What source taught you this theme? What Money can’t buy happiness in the AD American Dream Synthesis Essay did the source say? Explanation 1 – Explain your previous Proof? How does it teach us the theme? Transition – Transition from your 1st Proof to the 2nd one. Proof 2 – Same as Proof 1, but use a different source and quote. Explanation 2 Explain your previous Proof? How does it teach us the theme? Synthesis – Summarize your paragraph. Mention theme and Proofs. Body Paragraph 3 Outline Statement – What theme did you learn? Proof 1 – What source taught you Dream to something you can achieve American Dream Synthesis Essay this theme? What did the source say? Explanation 1 – Explain your previous Proof? How does it teach us the theme? Transition – Transition from your 1st Proof to the 2nd one. Proof 2 – Same as Proof 1, but use a different source and quote. Explanation 2 Explain your previous Proof? How does it teach us the theme? Synthesis – Summarize your paragraph. Mention theme and Proofs.