One of the concepts that we have been most concerned with this semester is what it means to be an American, and how can we establish our “American Identity” through the shared literature of our forefathers and foremothers. Using the works that we have read so far this semester, you will be creating a definition of what it means to be an American. You will need to use at least FOUR different sources to help you create your definition of what it means to be an American and provide examples.
After creating your definition, using the literature from the course, explain which character or author that we’ve read best encapsulates what it means to be an American. Use specific examples from the texts.
Since this is an analytic paper with an argumentative edge, you will need to provide adequate support for each of your key points. While you will be conducting some research on your chosen individual, this paper still requires abundant literary analysis. Your support should come primarily from the texts that we’ve read, and be sure to include reference to relevant statements, actions, and events and citation and analysis of quoted material.
You must do the following in this paper:
1. write a clear, precise, and specific thesis statement that makes your opinionated claim obvious;
2. avoid summary; assume your audience is already familiar with the texts;
3. express consistent, clear, and well-developed opinions throughout the course of the paper;
4. choose one side to argue—do not be wishy-washy in your approach;
5. incorporate no fewer than four direct quotes total into your argument;
6. explain how each quote contributes to the point;
7. avoid the use of long quotations;
8. document all specific references to the text, whether quoted or paraphrased, in MLA format.
9. document any references to sources other than the text, whether quoted or paraphrased, in MLA format.
10. follow all required formatting specifications, listed below.
