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Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

1. Understand the Assignment:

• You need to write 250-500 words on which reading you think is most important in shaping America’s identity, and why. You’ll need to support your points with specific examples or quotes from the textbook The Norton Anthology of American Literature (Shorter Ed Beginnings to 1865).

2. Choose the Reading:

• You have six options to choose from: Benjamin Franklin, J. Hector St. John de Crevecoeur, Jonathan Edwards, Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, and Phillis Wheatley.
• Tip: Choose the reading that you find the most impactful or relevant to America’s identity. For example, you might choose Thomas Paine’s “The American Crisis” if you want to discuss the revolutionary spirit or Phillis Wheatley’s “On Being Brought From Africa to America” to address the role of race and freedom in America’s identity.

3. Write Your Introduction:

• Start with a brief introduction that presents your argument.
• Example: “In examining the readings from the Norton Anthology, I believe that Thomas Paine’s The American Crisis plays the most pivotal role in shaping America’s identity. Paine’s work encapsulates the revolutionary spirit and the ideological foundations that helped to form the nation.”

4. Develop Your Thesis Statement:

• Your thesis is the main point of the essay, which should clearly state which reading you believe is most important and why.
• Example: “Thomas Paine’s The American Crisis is the most important text because it not only spurred the American Revolution but also articulated the core ideals of liberty and resistance against oppression, which became foundational to the American identity.”

5. Body Paragraphs:

• Start with a Topic Sentence: Your body paragraphs should begin with a sentence that introduces the focus of that paragraph.
• Example: “Paine’s call to action in The American Crisis helped solidify the American resistance against British tyranny.”
• Provide Evidence: Use quotes or references from the reading to support your argument.
• Example: “Paine writes, ‘These are the times that try men’s souls,’ which captures the urgency of America’s struggle for independence.”
• Analyze the Evidence: Explain how this evidence supports your argument and ties back to America’s identity.
• Example: “This line demonstrates the deep emotional appeal that Paine’s writing had, mobilizing ordinary people to become involved in the revolution and ultimately shaping the nation’s commitment to freedom and self-determination.”

6. Conclusion:

• Summarize the key points you made in your essay and restate why the reading you chose is most important to shaping America’s identity.
• Example: “In conclusion, Thomas Paine’s The American Crisis is crucial in understanding America’s identity because it not only rallied colonists to fight for their freedom but also laid the groundwork for the nation’s ideological commitment to liberty.”

7. MLA Citations:

• You’ll need to cite the reading correctly in MLA format.
• Example: Paine, Thomas. The American Crisis. The Norton Anthology of American Literature, edited by Nina Baym, 8th ed., vol. 1, W.W. Norton & Company, 2012, pp. 785-790.

8. Edit and Proofread:

• After writing your essay, make sure to read it for any spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors.
• Ensure that your argument flows logically, and that all your claims are backed up with evidence from the text.

SEO-Friendly Title:

• “Which Reading Shaped America’s Identity Most? A Close Analysis of Key American Literature Works”

Remember: Your paper should present a clear argument, backed by evidence from the text. Keep your writing focused on how the chosen reading shaped America’s identity, and make sure to reference specific parts of the text with MLA citations.