The Great Gatsby American Dream Essay
· Mini lit analysis paper (2 pages typed, double spaced)
· Formal writing: no pronouns/contractions, must reference book (at least 2 direct quotes with
page # citations per body paragraph), thesis statement, MLA format
· NO outside sources required
· Due 1/11 (B-Day) and 11/14 (A-Day)
Prompt: What is the American Dream and how is it featured as a theme in The Great Gatsby? (In
other words, does Gatsby or anyone else achieve the American Dream in the novel? What does
this say about Fitzgerald’s interpretation of the American Dream?)
Rubric:
Criteria
Exemplary (10)
Proficient (7)
Emerging (5>)
MLA Format
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Double spaced
Times New Roman
Title
Header (top right)
Heading (top left, 1st
page)
In-text citations
(author last #)
Missing 2-3 of the
required elements
Missing more than 3 of the
required elements
Strong thesis
statement
Direct quotes for
evidence (at least 2
per body)
Extensive
commentary that
explains quotes and
connections
Transitions and
connections between
paragraphs, sentences,
and ideas
Fully answers prompt
Evidence of
proofreading
Few to no spelling
and grammatical
errors
Word choice is
advanced


Adequate thesis
Some direct quotes
for evidence
Attempt at
commentary
Transitions and
connections there but
not fully explained
Sufficiently answers
prompt

Evidence of
proofreading
Some spelling and
grammatical errors
Word choice is formal
enough/sufficient
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Ideas and Content
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Conventions and
Grammar
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Missing or inadequate
thesis
Few or no direct
quotes/evidence
Little or no
commentary
Transitions and
connections not clear
Doesn’t sufficiently
answer prompt
Very little evidence of
proofreading
Extensive spelling
and grammatical
errors
Word choice is
informal/insufficient
Writing Your American Dream Paper
1.) Solidify your idea of the American Dream – what is it?
2.) Pick a character or two whose dream(s) you want to analyze/explain
a. Gatsby, Myrtle, Nick, Daisy, etc.
3.) Brainstorm some evidence from the book that might assist your position
a. The significance of the green light, the Valley of Ashes/New
York/the East, Daisy’s voice (it’s full of money), etc.
b. Find several direct quotes from the story that you could use
4.) Outline your paper:
a. Introduction
i. Attention grabber (American Dream)
ii. Background (Introduction of book/characters/American Dream)
iii. transition + thesis statement (Whose dream(s) you’re analyzing
and what Fitzgerald says about the ability to achieve the
American Dream)
b. Body paragraph(s) 1-2
i. Topic Sentence (character and his/her dream)
ii. Major (1st aspect of dream)
iii. Minor (example/evidence from book)
iv. Commentary
v. Major (2nd aspect of dream)
vi. Minor (example/evidence from book)
vii. Commentary (explanation/connection)
c. Body paragraph
i. Topic Sentence (What Fitzgerald says about the American
Dream)
ii. Major (character and whether or not dream is achieved)
iii. Minor (example/evidence from book)
iv. Minor (example/evidence from book)
v. Commentary (explanation/connection)
d. Conclusion
i. Reword thesis statement
ii. Overview of main ideas (American Dream, achievability,
connection to book)
iii. Final insight (connection to Fitzgerald’s audience – how this
affects everyone)
The Great Gatsby American Dream Graphic Organizer
My American Dream
Evidence from book:
N/A
Achieved?
Gatsby’s American Dream
Evidence from book:
Achieved? Y/N
Daisy’s American Dream
Evidence from book:
Achieved? Y/N
Myrtle’s American Dream
Evidence from book:
Achieved? Y/N
Nick’s American Dream
Achieved? Y/N
Evidence from book: