American Identity

Topic: Benjamin Franklin highlights a key difference between Americans and Europeans with his statement in “Information to Those Who Would Remove to America”: “People do not inquire . . . What is he? But What does he do?” Write an essay reflecting on one or more of the following:

-What core European beliefs did Americans reject, and how did this rejection of European identity influence the shaping of American identity? What has been the global impact of America’s unique identity?

-Consider today’s societal and cultural obsession with identity politics. More weight seemingly is placed on a person’s race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, self-identity, political leanings, etc. than on their work ethics, personal and professional achievements, and civic/community partnerships. What effect is this having on American society?

-How different is the America today than the one described by Franklin? What core beliefs have changed and what has influenced those changes? If it is not very different, then what core beliefs have not changed and what has contributed to the continuity of those beliefs?

For this first essay, you will only use Franklin’s text as a source. You will need to utilize at least one direct quotation from Franklin’s essay in the text of your own. Use parenthetical/intext citations to document the use of the source as well as a works cited citation on your works cited page. If you need a further review of MLA documentation, visit the OWL and reference the MLA handbook. Do not use other research sources for this first essay. You think, you make connections, you create an argument, you. Finally, for formal academic essays, you should use third person point of view. Do not directly reference yourself (I, me, my, etc.) or your audience (you, your). For a review of point of view, go to the next page.

Requirements:

Third Person Point of view

Minimum 800 words.

MLA format

Documented use of the primary source (Franklin’s text).

Parenthetical Citations

Works Cited page
This is the articel you need to read
https://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/v1ch15s27.html