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Guide created for Ms. Bowden's American Lit Junior Class

The American Dream Research Paper

The American Dream Research Paper

This guide was created to help you write your 4-5 page research paper, where you will answer the following question:

To what extent is __________ an achievable part of the American Dream? 

To answer this HUGE question, you will select one aspect of the American Dream to research. The following components of the American Dream are great options for this assignment: 

  • Homeownership
  • College education
  • Marriage and family 

Sample thesis: 
Homeownership is a tenant of the American dream because it represents independence, financial success, and stability. Although there are difficulties that potential homeowners face, homeownership is absolutely achievable for all Americans because there are programs to support new homeowners, many good places to live, and this is a better financial choice than renting, 

***Note: YOUR THESIS CAN & SHOULD BE MORE THAN ONE SENTENCE! 

Paper Logistics

Research Paper Logistics:

  • Times New Roman 12 pt. font, double spaced (at least 4 pages)
  • Works Cited Page at the end with at least HOW MANY SOURCES
  • Have an identifiable thesis statement at the end of the introducion
  • Include at least 6 quotations with proper MLA formatting
  • Include at least one quotation from something you have read in class: 

                      1. The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie

                      2. "American Dreams" by Ian Brown

                      3. "Us vs. Them" by David Tomas Martinez

                      4. "American Dreamin" by Jay Z

                      5. Dr. King's speech

                     6. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

                     7. Fences by August Wilson

Why Use Databases?

Developing An Effective Search Strategy

NoodleTools

Noodletools is a citation generator for note-taking, outlining, citing sources, document
archiving/annotation, and collaborative research and writing. NOTE: When creating a new project choose ADVANCED under citation level. Use your Wayland email address to create an account. Need help creating an account? Watch this video.

NoodleTools also has a couple of great Help pages with a wide array of detailed tutorials about how to use it: NoodleTools Help Desk and here: NoodleTools Support. 

Wayland Public Library

Searching Databases

Using library databases will ensure you create a quality research project 

Databases provide you with:

  • Up to date, relevant information
  • Evaluated sources
  • Citation information 
  • Subject specific content

What are your keywords? Searching a database requires entering search terms or keywords related to your search. Consider phrases, tag words, synonyms (don't be afraid to think outside the box). 
Ex: "climate change" OR "climate crisis"  AND "global warming" 

Set up your search: Choose where in the document the database should search for your keywords:
Stick to Keyword or Entire Document 

Search Limiters

Choose Your Search Limiters: Always choose "full document" - there is nothing worse than finding what could be the perfect resource, only to  discover you do not have access to the full article, only the abstract (summary). 

 

Additional Search Limiters: You can further limit your search by date and document type (the type of documents that are searchable can vary by database - unless you need something very specific (primary source, newspaper article, map) you do not have to use this limiter. Similarly using the date limiter is optional, but can be useful especially if you need current information.

WHS Library Catalog

Boston Public Library

Citation

Guide adapted from T. McDonald's guide Chemistry and You