The American Dream lecture in Week 1 points out that Poor Richard’s Almanac was an annual publication that included calendar lists, home recipes, weather forecasts etc. What made Franklin’s almanac unlike other almanacs was the inclusion of Franklin’s witty parables and humorous writings.  Franklin proposes in “The Way to Wealth” that anyone who works hard, avoids debt, and works toward attaining a virtuous character can be successful and ultimately wealthy—that the American Dream is accessible to all.

Watch either The Color Purple or The Great Gatsby (locate the films using Netflix, Amazon, or your local library) and argue why or why not Franklin’s assertions are correct. Provide examples from the film and your own explanations to support your assertions.

Your will have two choices for your thesis statement:

As is evident in the film The Color Purple (or The Great Gatsby), Franklin’s assertion that the American Dream is available to all people is incorrect because _________, ___________, and _________ (you will determine three points in support of your thesis, and those will become the topics of your three body paragraphs).

As is evident in the film The Color Purple (or The Great Gatsby), Franklin’s assertion that the American Dream is available to all people is correct because _________, ___________, and _________ (you will determine three points in support of your thesis, and those will become the topics of your three body paragraphs).

Academic Essay	Prosecution’s Case	What Takes Place
Introduction	Opening Argument	Context is established so that the reader/jury knows what to expect.
Thesis Statement	Statement of Guilt	The main point of the essay/argument is clearly stated.
Body Paragraph	Presentation of Evidence	Evidence is introduced, authenticated (through citations for an essay; through establishing a chain of custody for a trial), and explained.
Body Paragraph	Presentation of Evidence	Same as above.
Body Paragraph	Presentation of Evidence	Same as above. Evidence is presented until the argument is fully developed.
Conclusion	Closing Argument	Evidence is summarized, conclusions are drawn, and the thesis/statement of guilt is paraphrased.