Oliver Zhu Ms.

DAgostino AP Junior English 7 May 2012 Americas Resilient Dreamers Thesis: Americas exceptionality lies not in the existence of the American Dream, but in the resiliency of its inhabitants that relentlessly pursue it. I. The American Dream is very real in the minds of Americans. A. To each American, there is a personal dream, a goal, made possible by the context of America. B. Many Americans have achieved that goal; be it through luck or hard work. C. Many Americans work so that someone down their family line can achieve their Dream. II. To the vast majority of Americans, the Dream is elusive. A. Racial barriers have to be overcome. B. Class barriers have to be overcome. C. In the case of immigrants, barriers such as legality, culture, and languageto name a fewalso have to be overcome. III. But despite those huge barriers, Americans, on a whole, are resilient. A. Even upon losing everything, they dont lose faith in their Dream. B. Americans have the opportunity to switch careers, and find success by working hard in another profession. C. Even when facing overwhelming conditions like legality and language barriers, immigrant children relentlessly pursue their Dreamand find it. IV. Americas exceptionalism is driven by those that relentlessly pursue and achieve their Dream. A. Motivated Americans drive the economy forward by becoming a dedicated workforce and/or business owners. B. Americas economy is also driven, in large part, by immigrant labor and businesses. C. ChildrenAmerican or immigrantwho are able to achieve a good education and then further pursue their dreams drives Americas future forward. V. In the context of the current recession, the American Dream is becoming more elusive. A. Some Americans are losing faith in their nation, illustrated (for instance) by the Occupy Movement.

B. Some immigrant children who, after achieving their education in the US, pursue opportunities in other nations (usually their native nations), thus migrating out. VI. But despite that, the Dream, like its pursuers, is resilient. A. Social mobility, though less in recent years, is still very real in America. B. Countless Americans fulfill their lives through their work; they find meaning in living by working. C. Even though immigrant children may leave after receiving their education, they maintain close ties with America. VII. America maintains its exceptionalism by offering to its inhabitants opportunities at a scale and accessibility that is unique in the world. A. Thus, America continually attracts inhabitants that are resilientpeople that will pursue their Dream relentlessly and in the process, define Americas exceptionalism through their struggles.