American Identities Essay #2

American Identities Essay #2

Purpose of Assignment:

To develop your ability to read documents closely To hone your skills at thoughtful critical analysis of the text To improve your ability to focus on important details in the text To develop your ability to understand the text’s main ideas and perspective To learn to discern connections between abstract ideas and lived experience To develop an appreciation of the messiness of the US historical narrative To understand how American ideals and values affect life in the US To develop your writing skills

What you need to do: Read the “Declaration of Independence” closely. Write an essay about three or more of the values and ideals that are

expressed in the “Declaration of Independence” and how those values and ideals are reflected in US society today. Some of the ideals and values are explicitily stated and supported by evidence and arguments. Other values are declared self- evident.

State clearly the values or ideals you are discussing, and how they are explained or clarified in the “Declaration of Independence.” Discusss how those values are reflected in social, political, or economic aspects of life in the US today.

Keep your essay short, say no more than five pages. Cite your sources. This essay will be reviewed by one or more of your classmates (peer-reviewed), so take a copy to your mentor session next week. Please also upload a copy to the D2L Assignments folder no later than Thursday of week the essay is due.