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What It Means To Be an American Essay Outline
Introduction
Thesis:
Being an American means enjoying the right to freedom of speech, embracing diversity, embracing the American way of life, and having equal rights of determining the country’s leadership.
Body
Paragraph 1:
An American is free to speak their mind because of the right to freedom of speech.
- This freedom makes it easy for American citizens to serve their country.
- The stand up for what is just and right.
- Free speech is based on the country’s creed which encompasses peace, freedom, and security.
Paragraph 2:
Being an American means one is part of one of the most diverse cultures in the world.
- In the U.S., nationality may not possibly be defined by religion, ancestry, or race.
- The country has many different religions and cultures.
- Rather than religion, race, or ancestry, Americans are defined by their unique social, economic, and political values.
Paragraph 3:
Being an American means leading the American way of life.
- This way of life emanated from the system of the limited government and personal liberty.
- It is rooted in the traditions of equal justice to all, respect for the rule of law, merit-based achievement, freedom of contract, private property, entrepreneurism, personal responsibility, and self-reliance.
Paragraph 4:
Americans have equal rights of determining the political leadership of the country.
- Citizens elect leaders from state legislators, Congress members, to the president.
- Even the president is just a representative of the people.
- Bills passed by state legislators and Congressmen and women should be ones geared towards bettering the life of the common American.
Paragraph 5:
Some people may argue that a true American should profess the Christian faith.
- This is an argument that is majorly fronted by members of Native American communities who are largely Christian.
- America should be open to everyone who believes in the American spirit of hard work and lives by American ideals.
Conclusion
- An American knows that they are free to speak freely and that they live in a diverse-cultured country with a certain way of life.
- It means being in a position to determine who leads in whatever position in the country.
- An American is entitled to economic and social rights.
- Americans should resist at all costs anyone who might try to interfere with their freedoms and rights.
Insights onwhat makes you unique essay with examples.
What Is an American Essay
Introduction
What it means to be an American goes beyond the legal definition of an American citizen. According to Philip Gleason, a renowned historian, a person did not have to be of any particular ethnic background, religion, language, or nationality in order to become or be an American. All one had to do was to live by the political ideology pegged on the abstract ideals of republicanism, equality, and liberty. American nationality was based on a Universalist ideological character which meant that anyone who willed to become an American was free to do so. One must act as an American to be an American by for instance paying taxes, voting in elections, and serving their country at home or abroad. Thus, being an American means enjoying the right to freedom of speech, embracing diversity, embracing the American way of life, and having equal rights of determining the country’s leadership.
As an American, one is free to speak their mind because of the right to freedom of speech. This freedom makes it easy for American citizens to serve their country by standing up for what is just and right. In this spirit, it would be better and greater for an American to say a “no” from their inner conviction than say a “yes” to please anyone or worse off, to avoid getting into trouble. Free speech in America is based on the country’s creed which encompasses peace, freedom, and security. It also means that Americans have the opportunity to come together and overcome their challenges by finding befitting solutions, a possibility that might not be achievable in other countries. That is why as pointed out by Grant (2012), the freedom to worship God in different religions and communities is a great source of pride and does not undermine the oneness of Americans.
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Being an American also means one is part of one of the most diverse, if not the most diverse, cultures in the world. The United States is one of the very few world countries where nationality may not possibly be defined by religion, ancestry, or race. It is a melting pot of many different religions and cultures and it is near impossible to come across anyone whose ancestral roots are not tied to immigrant bloodlines from Africa and Europe (Grant, 2012). Rather than religion, race, or ancestry, Americans are defined by their unique social, economic, and political values. The Great Seal of the United States which reads “E pluribus unum” further drives home the fact that Americans are from all manners of backgrounds. In English, this translates to “From many, one” implying that one may even become and American without being born in the country as long as they embrace what the country stands for.
Third, being an American means leading the American way of life. This way of life emanated from the system of the limited government and personal liberty enshrined in the Constitution as well as the ideals proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence. It is also rooted in the traditions of equal justice to all, respect for the rule of law, merit-based achievement, freedom of contract, private property, entrepreneurism, personal responsibility, and self-reliance (Raymond, 2014). However, with these freedoms also comes the need for deliberation whereby people must listen to and understand one another. In addition, they need to have the will to moderate their claims with a view to achieving a common ground especially when it comes to making political decisions. With a sense of solidarity, Americans can show one another mutual respect and sympathy which in turn cultivates common good for all.
Further, Americans have equal rights of determining the political leaders in whose hands the governance of the country rests. Every citizen has one vote and has the responsibility of casting it every four years in order to choose their leaders (Grant, 2008). This involves the election of leaders from state legislators, Congress members, to the president. As such, even the president is just a representative of the great people of the United States and any decisions he makes pertaining the presidency should be for the good of all. Similarly, bills passed by state legislators and Congressmen and women should be ones geared towards bettering the life of the common American. This is because they represent the interests of the electorate from whom they get the power to legislate.
Some people may bring in the issue of religion into being an American and argue that a true American should profess the Christian faith. In a certain survey, one quarter of the respondents indicated that one factor essential to being an American is being Christian (Elfenbein & Hanson, 2019). However, this is an argument that is majorly fronted by members of Native American communities who are largely Christian. What they forget is that they too were not U.S. citizens until in 1924 when the Indian Citizenship Act was adopted (Elfenbein & Hanson, 2019). America should be open to everyone who believes in the American spirit of hard work, lives by American ideals as provided for in the Constitution, and vehemently fights for the country’s flag, regardless of their religious affiliation.
Conclusion
To be an American is to be someone who knows that they are free to speak freely and that they live in a diverse-cultured country with a certain way of life. It means being in a position to determine who leads in whatever position in the country. An American has the opportunity to achieve upward economic mobility and cherishes freedom from slavery, freedom to fight for America, and freedom of speech. These ideals were established by the country’s Constitution and are rooted in its Declaration of Independence. No one can take them away from Americans or replace them with oppressive ones because they are the very pillars that distinguish America from other countries. It implies that Americans should resist at all costs anyone who might try to interfere with their freedoms and rights.
References
Elfenbein, C., & Hanson, P. (2019). “What does it mean to be a ‘real’ American?”.The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2020 from https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/01/03/what-does-it-mean-be-real-american/
Grant, J. A. (2008). The new American social compact: rights and responsibilities in the twenty-first century. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books.
Grant, S. (2012). A concise history of the United States of America. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
Raymond, T. (2014). Rights and responsibilities of citizens: first grade social science lesson, activities, discussion questions and quizzes. HomeSchool Brew Press.
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FAQs
What it means to be an American essay conclusion? ›
In conclusion, being an American means freedom, knowing your rights, and happiness, People should be grateful of being Americans because not only do they have freedom and rights but they have opportunities. As an American you can get a great education, attend college, get a degree, and a career of your choice.
What is an Americanism essay? ›The Americanism Essay Contest was created to teach students the value of patriotism and what it means to be Americans. Thousands of students participate in the program each year and help promote a lifelong respect of our flag and country.
How do you write an American essay? ›- Understand the difference between an American essay and a European essay.
- Understand the question and the issue.
- State the problem and the thesis statement.
- Craft a compelling introductory paragraph.
- Develop the body of the essay.
- End with a meaningful concluding paragraph.
An American is someone who was born in the United States, or born to American parents.
What is a good conclusion about the American dream? ›Conclusion. Ultimately, the American Dream maintains a core set of beliefs: the right to certain freedoms that enable every individual to pursue a life of success and happiness. What success and happiness mean to one person is not necessarily what they mean to another.
What is the overall conclusion of the essay? ›The conclusion allows you to have the final say on the issues you have raised in your paper, to synthesize your thoughts, to demonstrate the importance of your ideas, and to propel your reader to a new view of the subject. It is also your opportunity to make a good final impression and to end on a positive note.
What are the values of Americanism? ›Americanism stresses a collective political identity based on the principles outlined in the Constitution of the United States by the Founding Fathers. Such ideologies include republicanism, freedom, liberty, individualism, constitutionalism, human rights, and the rule of law.
What is the American Standard essay format? ›Standard American argumentative essays begin with an introduction that gives a main point (thesis). The thesis is supported by a series of body paragraphs with sub-points, and the essay ends with a conclusion.
What was the definition of 100% Americanism? ›This gave rise to the 100 Percent American Movement. This ideology advocated total allegiance to the United States, its customs and traditions, symbols, government, and language. Adherents were generally strictly anti-communist and proponents of restrictive immigration policies after World War I.
How do you write a good essay answer? ›- Write a direct answer to the question.
- Restate the question in a way that includes the answer.
- Explain your reasons in sequence.
- Give examples to expound your reasoning.
- Use citations to give credit to your sources.
- Conclude with your position in the answer.
What are the 3 steps to write a good essay? ›
Preparation: Decide on your topic, do your research, and create an essay outline. Writing: Set out your argument in the introduction, develop it with evidence in the main body, and wrap it up with a conclusion. Revision: Check the content, organization, grammar, spelling, and formatting of your essay.
What are the five American characteristics? ›- Independence. From our beginnings, America has valued her independence. ...
- Opportunity. America is known as the land of opportunity. ...
- Innovation. We value our freedom to pursue new ideas. ...
- Diversity. ...
- Generosity.
The American way of life or the American way is the American nationalist ethos that adheres to the principle of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. At the center of the American way is the belief in an American Dream that is claimed to be achievable by any American through hard work.
What three words would you use to describe America? ›Answer. Answer: There are many words that describe America, and almost all of them are good, such as freedom, full, grateful, pride and most of all, happy.
What is the American dream in your own words? ›The American dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of where they were born or what class they were born into, can attain their own version of success in a society in which upward mobility is possible for everyone.
What do you talk about in an American Dream essay? ›- How Did Ben Franklin Embody the Pursuit of Happiness?
- Does Fitzgerald Denounce the Pursuit of Happiness in “the Incomparable Gatsby”?
- How Do Benjamin Franklin and Frederick Douglass Address the Pursuit of Happiness?
- Has America Lost Accomplishing the Pursuit of Happiness Potential?
The American Dream is an optimistic, motivating force that propels people to achieve and accomplish things that we might otherwise not strive for. Its elusiveness makes it that much more compelling as, for many, one's dream always seems to be out of reach, but still very much worth pursuing. Lawrence R. Samuel, Ph.
What is the main purpose of an essay conclusion? ›The purpose of a conclusion is to summarise the main points of your essay. It is your last opportunity to bring together what you have been saying, and to make your opinion, and your understanding of the topic, very clear to your examiner.
How do you write a strong conclusion for an essay? ›- Step 1: Restate Your Thesis Claim and Evidence. The conclusion's primary role is to convince the reader that your argument is valid. ...
- Step 2: Provide New and Interesting Insight. ...
- Step 3: Form a Personal Connection With the Reader.
The conclusion paragraph should restate your thesis, summarize the key supporting ideas you discussed throughout the work, and offer your final impression on the central idea.
What is the purpose of Americanism? ›
Americanism Defined:
Americanism is the love of America; loyalty to her institutions as the best yet devised by man to secure life, liberty, individual dignity, and happiness; and the willingness to defend our country and flag against all enemies, foreign and domestic. It is a vital, active, living force.
There are certain ideals and values, rooted in the country's history, which many Americans share. These are: FREEDOM, INDIVIDUALISM, PRAGMATISM, VOLUNTEERISM, MOBILITY, PATRIOTISM, PROGRESS, AMERICAN DREAM. provisions for freedom of speech, press and religion.
What represents American culture? ›American culture includes both conservative and liberal elements, scientific and religious competitiveness, political structures, risk taking and free expression, materialist and moral elements.
What are the 5 parts of essay? ›- Introduction.
- Body. First Point. Second Point. Third Point.
- Conclusion.
The main parts (or sections) to an essay are the intro, body, and conclusion. In a standard short essay, five paragraphs can provide the reader with enough information in a short amount of space.
What should a 5 paragraph essay look like? ›How is it structured? The five-paragraph essay structure consists of, in order: one introductory paragraph that introduces the main topic and states a thesis, three body paragraphs to support the thesis, and one concluding paragraph to wrap up the points made in the essay.
What was the first definition of American? ›American (n.)
1570s, originally "one of the aboriginal peoples discovered in the Western Hemisphere by Europeans," from Modern Latin Americanus, from America (q.v.). The original sense is now Native Americans; the sense of "resident of North America of European (originally British) descent" is from 1765.
The term “American” was a way to differentiate between the British who had remained in the Old World and those who had moved to the Americas. After the colonies achieved independence from Great Britain and the fledgling United States of America was formed, the term 'British American' was obviously no longer needed.
How do you answer an outline essay question? ›outline answer requires you present an organised description of a research topic or argument. It is imperative that you provide the main points only (and any important supplementary information) as opposed to focusing on the minor details. Remember to present your answer in a systematic and coherent way.
How do you answer an outline question? ›Outline Just give the main features or general idea. This mainly tests your memory. Here you need to give the specific meaning of words, terms, etc.; it may be the definition from a textbook or you could use your own words. You just need to tell what it is - imagine and give information that paints a complete picture.
What are the 3 C's in an essay? ›
These are the three Cs of writing: clarity, coherence, and conciseness.
What are the three C's in writing an essay? ›Writing well isn't that difficult if you follow the 3 Cs – Clarity, Conciseness and Consistency. Here are some tips for achieving the 3 Cs. Clarity – Put yourself in your readers' shoes.
What are the three C's of an essay? ›Do your best to be clear, concise, and compelling.
What makes a good essay? ›An essay should have a single clear central idea. Each paragraph should have a clear main point or topic sentence. Each paragraph should support or expand the central idea of the paper. The idea of each paragraph should be explained and illustrated through examples, details, and descriptions.
What makes an American unique? ›It was an exceptional (meaning uncommon) mix of liberty, limited government, natural rights, and religious liberty that made the American founding unique. America is the only country in the world that derives its legitimacy from natural rights and natural law.
What characterizes American society? ›The society of the United States is based on Western culture, and has been developing since long before the United States became a country with its own unique social and cultural characteristics such as dialect, music, arts, social habits, cuisine, and folklore.
What would be some basic American values *? ›Freedom, equality, and justice are the big three core values that Americans share. We have shared these values since America's founding. This doesn't mean that these values were always there for everyone. Many people of color were denied equality until the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
What's another word for being an American? ›Yankee. Yankee (or Yank) is a colloquial term for Americans in English; cognates can be found in other languages.
What are good words to describe America? ›- 1 Revolutionary. ...
- 2 Powerful. ...
- 3 Misunderstood. ...
- 4 Idiots. ...
- 5 Charitable. ...
- 6 Democracy. ...
- 7 Large. ...
- 8 Convenient.
- ethos.
- landmark.
- national identity.
- nationalism.
- patriotism.
- responsibility.
- right.
- symbol.
What did America become known as? ›
On September 9, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted a new name for what had been called the "United Colonies.” The moniker United States of America has remained since then as a symbol of freedom and independence.
What should you write in the conclusion of an essay? ›A conclusion paragraph does: Summarize the essay's thesis and evidence to further convince the reader. Elevate your essay by adding new insight or something extra to impress the reader.
How do you write a good conclusion for an essay example? ›Summarize all the key points you made throughout the body of the paper (things that proved your thesis statement). Write about why this paper and topic are important, and leave the reader with ideas for additional research or maybe some questions that didn't get answered.
How do you write a conclusion line for an essay? ›Conclude with a sentence composed mainly of one-syllable words. Simple language can help create an effect of understated drama. Conclude with a sentence that's compound or parallel in structure; such sentences can establish a sense of balance or order that may feel just right at the end of a complex discussion.
How do you write a conclusion for a US history essay? ›A good conclusion should do two things. First, it should reiterate or restate the contention of your essay. Second, it should close off your essay, ideally with a polished ending that is not abrupt or awkward. One effective way to do this is with a brief summary of 'what happened next'.
What is a good closing sentence? ›Restate the big idea of the topic sentence using different words or a different order. Think about your message. What do you want your reader to know or understand and introduce that idea in one sentence. Summarize the big idea of the paragraph without repeating the exact same words.
How to start a conclusion for an essay without saying in conclusion? ›- To summarize.
- Overall, it may be said.
- Taking everything into account.
- On the whole.
- In general, it can be said that.
- With this in mind.
- In the end.
- Considering all this.
- End the essay on a positive note.
- Communicate the importance of your ideas and the subject matter.
- Provide the reader with a sense of closure.
- Reiterate and summarize your main points.
- Rephrase and then restate your thesis statement.
- To conclude.
- To sum up.
- In conclusion.
- In sum.
- In summary.
- Finally.
- Ultimately.
- Thus.
- Restate your research topic.
- Restate the thesis.
- Summarize the main points.
- State the significance or results.
- Conclude your thoughts.
How should I start my essay? ›
- An opening hook to catch the reader's attention.
- Relevant background information that the reader needs to know.
- A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.