American Dream Essay: Structure, Outline, Sample, and Topics

The American Dream is a recurring controversial topic in modern society. Individuals have developed different arguments to deconstruct what an American Dream essay is in a particular context of day-to-day life. In an academic setting, learners who engage in this discourse hold a particular weight of a proper expression of their arguments. Further on, a structured essay and its format are analyzed with a focus on an introduction, main body, and conclusion of a five-paragraph template. Moreover, a unique process of topic selection, outline development, and structured writing is exemplified using an essay titled “The Promise of the American Dream.” Other recommendations on narrow-scoped topics in order to explore a concept are provided as a starting point that students can use when writing their papers.

General Aspects

In contemporary discourse, there is much controversy over a simple meaning of the American Dream. Basically, people hold different positions on multiple aspects of such a concept in their essays and research papers. During schooling years, it is important to acquire writing skills and benefit significantly from reflecting on a particular influence of students’ recently acquired knowledge on their position regarding controversial topics. Upon completing a reflection essay process, a particular expression of one’s newly defined position is a next step in order to obtain writing skills. As such, a common format of an American Dream essay is presented to introduce readers to basic principles behind a concept. Moreover, a typical structure of a five-paragraph essay is explored with a valid support of an outline and a template. Finally, students may include different ideas in their compositions and need to avoid common mistakes.

What Is an American Dream Essay and Its Purpose

According to its definition, an American Dream essay explores unique ideals and aspirations that define a particular concept of the American Dream, which is rooted in a belief that anyone, regardless of background, can achieve success and recognition through hard work, determination, and initiative. The main purpose of writing an American Dream Essay is to critically examine a unique concept of the American Dream from various perspectives, considering its meaning, historical origins, evolution, and current relevance (Rogers, 2024). Such a composition involves analyzing social, economic, and political factors, and they shape people’s ability to achieve their goals and possible opportunities and barriers that some of them may face. In writing, an American Dream essay aims to offer a deeper understanding of what the American Dream means to different individuals and communities and encourages readers to learn about its impact on their lives and society in general (Cogni, 2019). In terms of pages and words, the length of an American Dream essay depends on academic levels and specific writing requirements, while general guidelines are:

High School

Length: 2-4 pages
Word Count: 500-1,000 words

College (Undergraduate)

Length: 4-6 pages
Word Count: 1,000-1,500 words

University (Advanced Undergraduate)

Length: 6-10 pages
Word Count: 1,500-2,500 words

Master’s

Length: 14-24 pages
Word Count: 3,500-6,000 words

Ph.D.

Length: 24-52 pages (as part of a dissertation or another research paper)
Word Count: 6,000-13,000 words

Format

Section	Content
Title	Start by providing a particular title and giving readers an idea of an essay’s focus.
Introduction	Provide context for the American Dream.
Introduction	Write a thesis statement that outlines a main argument or perspective of an essay.
Body Paragraphs	Each paragraph should focus on a specific aspect of a dream of opportunity.
	Begin all paragraphs with a topic sentence that introduces a single main idea.
	Include evidence, examples, and analysis to support a topic sentence.
	Transition smoothly between writing paragraphs to maintain coherence.
Conclusion	Recaps main points discussed in body paragraphs.
	Restates a thesis in a new way to reflect central arguments and evidence presented.
	Provides a closing thought or call to action related to a pursuit of happiness.
List of References	Ensure all sources cited in an essay are listed in an appropriate format.
List of References	Follow specified citation style guidelines for formatting references, like MLA, APA, Chicago/Turabian, or Harvard.

Note: Some sections of an American Dream essay can be added, deleted, or combined with each other, while a particular number of body paragraphs depends on writing instructions. In turn, to start an American Dream essay, authors begin with a compelling introduction that defines a particular concept of the American Dream, presents its significance, and introduces their thesis statements, setting up a stage for a thoughtful exploration of a given topic.

Steps on How to Write an American Dream Essay

To write an American Dream essay, people thoroughly research a particular topic, develop a clear thesis, support their arguments with historical context, valid examples, and credible evidence, address various perspectives, and conclude by summarizing key points and reflecting on an actual relevance of success today.

Choose a Particular Focus: Decide on a specific aspect of a quest for success to write about, such as its definition, historical evolution, or relevance today.
Conduct Research: Gather information from credible sources, like books, academic articles, and reputable websites to support your essay and its writing.
Develop a Thesis Statement: Provide a clear, well-structured, and concise thesis statement and cover your main argument or perspective on a pursuit of opportunity.
Create a Brief Outline: Organize your main points and supporting evidence into a structured outline to guide your writing.
Write an Introduction: Introduce a particular concept of the American Dream, provide some background information, and present your thesis statement.
Compose Body Paragraphs: Write detailed paragraphs, each focusing on a specific aspect of a vision of success, supported by evidence and analysis.
Include Personal Examples: If applicable, incorporate personal examples or experiences to illustrate your points and make your essay more personal.
Address Counterarguments: Consider and address opposing viewpoints to strengthen your argument and provide a balanced perspective.
Write a Conclusion: Summarize key points discussed, restate a thesis in light of the evidence presented, and offer final reflections.
Edit and Revise: Review your American Dream essay for clarity, coherence, and grammatical accuracy, making necessary writing revisions to improve an overall quality.

Characteristics

The American Dream is a widely known concept, but there are some characteristics that can be identified as correct, comprehensive, and precise. For example, the American Dream is a complex national ethos that represents a unique belief that anyone, regardless of their roots or circumstances, can achieve success and recognition through hard work, determination, and initiative, reflecting ideals of freedom, equality, and opportunity (Strain, 2020). Basically, freedom and opportunity are the most critical aspects of an essay on the American Dream to write about. In this case, freedom is essential to achieving goals because it provides an individual with a unique space to live freely without any oppression from their peers or the government (Wolak & Peterson, 2020). Moreover, equal access to opportunity allows each individual to pursue happiness and prosperity regardless of social class, gender, race, and other social or cultural factors that stratify society. Therefore, this concept may be defined as a set of beliefs, and they explain specific experiences of lives many people are expected to have in an ideal situation where their freedoms are protected, while no opportunity barriers exist (Mortimer et al., 2019). In turn, some examples of sentence starters for beginning a good American Dream essay include:

The American Dream, often considered a symbol of hope and opportunity, represents a specific belief that anyone, regardless of background, can achieve success through hard work.
From its historical roots in the early days of a nation to its modern interpretations, a quest for success supports positive aspirations and ideals of a diverse and dynamic population.
In a country built on essential principles of freedom and equality, a unique pursuit of opportunity has served as a powerful motivator for countless individuals seeking a better life for themselves and their families.
For many immigrants, a pursuit of happiness is a light that draws them to the United States (US), promising a chance to build a prosperous future through dedication and initiative.
At its essence, a success quest embodies a unique idea that, with hard work and ambition, anyone can find a successful path above their circumstances and achieve their fullest potential.
While a unique vision of opportunity has been a guiding force for many individuals, its interpretation varies widely, reflecting diverse experiences and aspirations of people across a nation.
A whole evolution of a dream of prosperity over time mirrors social, economic, and political changes that have shaped the United States, revealing both progress and persistent challenges.
In today’s world, a real relevance of a national aspiration and an ability to achieve such a goal are subjects of intense debate, prompting a reevaluation of its meaning and implications.
Exploring historical origins of the American Dream provides more insight into how this powerful concept has influenced a nation’s identity and inspired many generations of US citizens.
Despite facing numerous obstacles and setbacks, an ongoing attraction to a pursuit of happiness continues to inspire individuals to strive for success and contribute to a broader narrative of people’s experiences.

Unique Experiences

People are born into families that provide them with a unique starting point for their pursuit of desired goals. For example, a particular financial capability, level of education, and cultural beliefs of an individual’s parents define a foundation on which a person begins to achieve desired goals (Hoyt et al., 2021). As a result, all people may be pursuing the same ideas when writing essays. In turn, it is not a level playing field because some individuals may find themselves in better circumstances than others. Furthermore, it is differentiated at a personal level because individuals with relatively similar starting points may have distinct outcomes (Mortimer et al., 2019). Based on this perspective, it is highly unlikely that any two individuals can attest to going through identical experiences when writing an essay. In turn, an example of a good hook for an American Dream essay might be: “Imagine a place where limitless opportunities await anyone willing to dream big and work hard — this is a real essence of the American Dream.”

Belief Systems

Besides particular circumstances of starting points, an individual’s belief system plays a significant role in their strategy of achieving desired goals. For instance, happiness and prosperity are broad terms that have contrasting meanings for individuals because there is no standardized scale for measuring happiness or prosperity (Strain, 2020). Moreover, one person may consider owning a car and house to be a sign of prosperity to write about. In contrast, another person may believe that providing his or her children with a college education is prosperity. Hence, these beliefs are imposed on desires and goals, which results in variations in a concept’s meaning for each individual to be covered in an essay. In turn, desires and goals are affected to a large extent by an individual’s beliefs regarding the things that make them happy or prosperous (Wolak & Peterson, 2020). Finally, an example of a good thesis statement for an American Dream essay might be: “The American Dream, while historically rooted in ideals of freedom and opportunity, reflects contemporary aspirations and challenges, making it a complex concept that continues to shape a nation’s identity.”

Topic Selection

Challenges of Topic Selection

The American Dream is a concept that people can examine from a variety of perspectives, which makes a particular selection of an essay topic for an American Dream paper quite challenging. During a possible selection of an essay topic, it is essential to remember that no point of view is superior or more correct than another (Cogni, 2019). In this case, a particular weight of a single claim proposed in an American Dream argumentative essay is dependent on a writer’s ability to explain a position logically and convincingly. Moreover, in a presentation of a specific argument in any essay, it is important to adequately consider competing counterarguments that may arise in audience’s minds when writing essays (Rogers, 2024). In turn, a common failure to evaluate counterarguments critically may undercut an authority of an author, especially when writing for an academic audience.

Solution

Equally important, writers should select a topic that has a link with their personal experiences. For instance, an argument concerning an essay about the American Dream gains a sense of authenticity when writers discuss an issue that resonates with their beliefs (Cogni, 2019). It is essential because some passion is embedded in an essay. Furthermore, as a starting point for identifying an essay’s topic, writers may identify a “main concept” under review, such as equal opportunity. They can also think through their life experiences and single out events they consider invaluable in a particular position taken concerning a main concept (see an example of a simple brainstorming template). Finally, people should settle on writing a unique topic that is specific and can be argued out entirely within potential constraints of essay’s requirements.

Simple Brainstorming Template

State a main concept.
How has it affected you?
How has it affected other people in your life?
Do you think the events mentioned above are in line with the American Dream?
Specify an issue.
Describe an ideal situation while writing.
Can this situation be improved?

3-Part Outline

Part 1: Introduction (Approximately 10% of the Word Count)

Hook

It is a first statement in an introductory paragraph.
A statement should capture an attention of a reader, like, a unique fact about an assigned topic.

Overview of a Topic

It comprises of two or more sentences.
Some statements should contain adequate detail for a reader to understand a thesis statement.

Thesis Statement

It is a single statement that appears at the end of an introductory paragraph.
This statement provides an answer to an essay prompt in a form of writing a single argument, which summarises a provided evidence or rationale presented in a main body.

Part 2: Main Body (Approximately 80% of the Word Count)

A typical creation of paragraphs in this section is based on a separation of ideas to ensure each paragraph presents one original idea. In turn, writing each paragraph in this section must follow a sandwich rule, which dictates a specific organization of paragraph elements:

Topic sentence – States a main idea in a single paragraph.
Evidence – Provides specific information that is crucial to a paragraph’s idea.
Evaluation of evidence – Explains an actual relevance of the evidence and offers an interpretation of a cited information.
Transition statement – Summarises a single paragraph and links it to a thesis statement or a next paragraph.

Part 3: Conclusion (Approximately 10% of the Word Count)

Restating a Main Argument

A first statement in a concluding paragraph should repeat a main argument presented in a thesis statement.
It should not contain the same words as a thesis statement, but keywords can be reused.

Summary

Provide a detailed overview of essay’s main points logically.
Demonstrate an actual value of main points in answering an essay’s prompt.

5-Paragraph Template

Introduction

Paragraph 1

Hook: Besides common differences in American populations, they are similar because they pursue the same dream.
Overview of a topic: Outline some of the differences in American populations.
Thesis statement: Creating equal opportunities allows individuals to achieve upward mobility.

Main Body

Paragraph 2

Topic sentence: Breaking down social mobility and its quantification.
Evidence: Definition and measures of social mobility.
Evaluation of evidence: Write about how upward social mobility is achieved while referring to potentail measures.
Transition statement: Introduces a real need for self-improvement and social mobility to occur.

Paragraph 3

Topic sentence: Opportunity is a requirement for social mobility.
Evidence: The role of education in equipping an individual to utilize opportunities.
Evaluation of evidence: Write about a direct link between education, access to jobs, and an ability to improve an individual’s quality of life.
Transition statement: Recognize that there are socially constructed limitations on an accessibility of opportunities.

Paragraph 4

Topic sentence: Discriminative practices affect an individual’s access to opportunities for social mobility.
Evidence: Identify some forms of discrimination and explain a particular occurrence of discriminative practices.
Evaluation of evidence: Write about an actual value of government and organization’s role in managing discriminative practices using policies that uphold equality.
Transition statement: Stress a centrality of equality in an argument for opportunity access and upward mobility.

Conclusion

Paragraph 5

Restating a main argument: Emphasize a real importance of equality in securing opportunities for upward mobility and an attainment of a quest for success.
Summary: Allude to possible measures of social mobility, an interaction between discriminative practices and opportunities, and a particular relief provided by policies on equality.

American Dream Essay Example

Topic: The Promise of the American Dream

Introduction

Although we are different, we share a single dream. In this case, the American population is composed of people of different genders, races, education levels, religions, and disability statuses. Nonetheless, each American is entitled to a unique opportunity to make themselves better regardless of their underlying differences. Thus, an American Dream thesis statement is that it is founded on a particular promise of equal opportunity for upward social mobility.

Social Mobility

Social mobility is a multidimensional concept. It can be assessed using a variety of measures that attempt to quantify a particular change occurring in an individual’s life. For example, an ability of an individual to move along a specific social hierarchy may be described as social mobility. In turn, there are different measures of social mobility. However, each one is focused on a specific aspect of an average American’s livelihood:

Health Status – A susceptibility of an individual to diseases.
Education – An individual’s highest level of education.
Homeownership – A capability of an individual to acquire permanent housing.

Upward social mobility implies people can improve their position in a social hierarchy by improving their performance on any of the measures of social mobility. Therefore, upward social mobility is a desired outcome of a successful pursuit of desired goals because it suggests some form of self-improvement.

Opportunity

A real opportunity for upward mobility is vital in pursuing desired goals. Basically, access to opportunity is facilitated by some factors, such as access to quality education. In this case, an individual who has attended school and acquired necessary skills has a higher likelihood of securing a well-paid job. If people acquire jobs, it becomes easier to secure health insurance, buy homes, and improve an overall quality of life for their families. Moreover, they can only attain what they want if they are provided access to basic education, which prepares them to maximize any opportunities. However, it is difficult for an average individual to pursue opportunities without the government’s efforts to increase an ease of access to basic needs.

Equality Policies

Many barriers affect an average American’s ability to access positive opportunities, and they manifest in a particular form of discriminative practices in society. In this case, discrimination in society may occur based on a variety of issues, like gender, disability, religion, and race. Basically, personal biases create ideological differences regarding superiority in a social hierarchy. It pushes individuals to deny others access to opportunities and necessary skills to exploit those opportunities. Moreover, state and organizational policies against discrimination are created and enforced to maintain equality among Americans. These laws serve to eliminate potential barriers that exist between hard-working people and the American Dream. Consequently, equality among individuals ensures all individuals can take advantage of opportunities regardless of their gender, disability status, religion, race, and other social differences that tend to create boundaries between social groups.

Conclusion

Equality is crucial in a typical pursuit of the American Dream because it provides each individual with a unique opportunity to move up a social hierarchy. In this case, people can access upward social mobility by using various measures, which quantify an individual’s quality of life. Moreover, opportunities may exist, but individuals need to be assisted in developing themselves to a level where they can utilize the available opportunities. Hence, equality policies are useful in curtailing an actual power of discriminative practices in reinforcing social mobility barriers.

Topics

Essay Example on Is the American Dream Still Alive
Great Gatsby Essay: The American Dream, Pursuit, and Corruption
A Particular Origin of a Pursuit of Happiness.
Intergenerational Differences in a Definition of the American Dream.
A Vision of Success in Contemporary Music.
Does Society Still Believe in a Path to Prosperity?
Defining the American Dream Through the Racial Lens.
Individualism and Opportunity for All.
The Influence of Unrestricted Surveillance on the American Dream.
Health Care Policies and National Aspiration.
The Impacts of Globalization on a Promise of Prosperity.
The Rise of Right-Wing Populism and the Ideal Future of Freedom.

What to Include

Element	Description
Historical Examples	Stories of historical figures or events that exemplify a unique pursuit of the American Dream.
Economic Data	Statistics and facts about income mobility, employment rates, and economic opportunities.
Immigrant Experiences	Accounts of how immigrants have pursued and achieved success.
Social Mobility	Analysis of factors that influence upward mobility.
Education’s Role	Writing about how access to education impacts future outcomes.
Cultural Depictions	Examination of how the American Dream is portrayed in movies, books, and other media.
Personal Stories	Examples or interviews with individuals who have achieved their objectives.
Success Stories	Examples of people who have achieved notable success through hard work and perseverance.
Challenges and Barriers	Exploration of obstacles, such as discrimination, poverty, and lack of opportunity.
Comparative Studies	Comparisons between an ideal of freedom and similar dream concepts in other countries.
Philosophical Insights	Theoretical perspectives on what constitutes a concept of success.
Policy Analysis	Examination of how government policies affect people’s wealth.
Future Predictions	Speculations on how a path to prosperity will evolve in the future.
Critical Perspectives	Critiques of a dream of opportunities and discussions of its limitations and downsides.
Literary References	Analysis of literary works that explore writing themes related to achieving success.
Demographic Studies	Data on how different demographic groups experience a lack or presence of wealth.
Impact of Technology	Discussion of how technological advancements affect a today’s meaning of success.
Role of Innovation	How innovation and entrepreneurship contribute to modern startups.
Family and Community	The influence of family and community support on pursuing their goals.
Sociological Perspectives	Writing about how different social groups (e.g., immigrants, minorities) experience positive and negative aspects of a dream of opportunity.

Common Mistakes

Lack of Clear Thesis: Failing to present a clear and concise thesis statement, which must guide an essay’s argument.
Insufficient Evidence: Not providing enough supporting evidence or examples to back up main points.
Ignoring Historical Context: Overlooking historical origins and evolution of a path to prosperity, which are crucial in case of understanding its current meaning.
One-Sided Perspective: Presenting a biased view by not considering multiple interpretations or counterarguments when writing about a quest for success.
Vague Definitions: Offering an unclear or overly broad definition of the American Dream, leading to a lack of focus in an essay.
Neglecting Structure: Failing to organize an essay into clear sections, such as introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion, which can confuse readers.
Overgeneralization: Making sweeping statements about a promise of prosperity without acknowledging different experiences and perspectives to write about.
Ignoring Current Relevance: Not discussing how a national aspiration applies to contemporary society or its relevance to today’s issues.
Poor Use of Sources: Relying on unreliable sources or not properly citing references, which undermines an essay’s credibility.
Grammar and Spelling Errors: Allowing grammatical mistakes and spelling errors to distract from an essay’s content and weaken its overall writing quality.

Summing Up

A typical capacity of a person to participate in a discourse on a controversial essay topic is nurtured through a continuous practice of structured essay writing. Basically, a particular concept of the American Dream may be approached from a different perspective, depending on the individual’s beliefs and personal experiences. Nonetheless, a written presentation of these points of view is achieved through a correct use of structured essays. In turn, a five-paragraph American Dream essay example examined in this article is a useful tool for a valid expression of any argument on such a topic.

References

Cogni, M. (2019). From sentences to essays: A guide to reflective writing through reflective thinking. Vernon Press.

Hoyt, C. L., Burnette, J. L., Forsyth, R. B., Parry, M., & DeShields, B. H. (2021). Believing in the American Dream sustains negative attitudes toward those in poverty. Social Psychology Quarterly, 84(3), 203–215. https://doi.org/10.1177/01902725211022319

Mortimer, J. T., Mont’Alvao, A., & Aronson, P. (2019). Decline of “The American Dream”? Outlook toward the future across three generations of Midwest families. Social Forces, 98(4), 1403–1435. https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/soz130

Rogers, D. (2024). Writing better essays: A rhetorical guide to writing and revision. Equinox Publishing Ltd.

Strain, M. R. (2020). The American Dream is not dead: (But populism could kill it). Templeton Press.

Wolak, J., & Peterson, D. A. (2020). The dynamic American dream. American Journal of Political Science, 64(4), 968–981. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajps.12522

American Dream Essay: Guidelines for an A+ Paper