Hazlewood/S 11
Essay 4: Is the American Dream Still Alive?
CONTEXT: Many of our recent readings have questioned the validity of the American Dream within
our current American society, citing economic factors as one of the reasons we might consider it a myth
rather than something attainable. In particular, Anthony DePalma writes that the “American dream of
moving up [is] far more elusive than it was for [past generations]” (313). Highlighting the difficulties
current families face in “moving up” in our current economic landscape, authors Loretta Schwartz-Nobel
and Barbara Ehrenreich draw our attention the millions of working poor and homeless, whose numbers
are swelling daily. Even Judith Warner, writing about American motherhood, suggests the idea that we
can all become upper-middle class underlies our ideas about good mothering.
INTERVIEW: For this essay, I will be asking you to use multiple sources of support. One of those
sources, in addition to your own personal experience and our readings, is the experience of someone else.
However, you don’t want to just make assumptions about what somebody might think; you want to
hear it from them. You also want to make sure that you can support your argument in your paper with
quotable evidence when establishing your ethos, which means you will need material to work from. To
this end, you will be required to formally interview some one for this paper about their experience in
relation to the American Dream. Please see the Interview Sheet for detailed directions. A list of your
questions and an evaluative summary of this interview is due with your rough draft. This list and
your summary will be considered a separate assignment. Please see details on the “Interview Directions”
sheets.
WRITE: Write a four to five-page essay in which argue whether the American Dream is alive as
traditionally conceived. To articulate your position clearly, you will need to describe your
understanding of what the concept of the American Dream includes; in other words, define the American
Dream for your readers. In order to support your position, you will need to use your personal
experience, an interview, and textual evidence from our readings. You are also required to
acknowledge the counter-argument to your position in your essay.
Questions to consider: (Please do not feel compelled to address all of these in your paper, but do use
them to jumpstart your writing process.)
What does the term American Dream mean to you? Is there just one American Dream?
What historical or fictional story epitomizes this idea?
Do you feel that this idea is important to the idea of being “American”?
Is there a story in your family that relates to the American Dream?
How confident do you feel that you can attain the American Dream?
What is different between your generation and past generations (your parents or grandparents) in
terms of the American Dream?
What are important components to attaining the American Dream?
DUE DATES:
Questions & Evaluative Summary of Interview: 4/4
RD (Rough Draft): 4/4
FD (Final Draft): 4/11
Essay 4/ Page 1 of 4
Hazlewood/S 11
Essay 4: Interview Directions
Gathering information and perspectives on a topic is the primary job of a researcher (or a student). Often
we can procure the information/perspective we need through examining tangible or physical evidence—
such as printed texts, documents, photographs, the built environment, sound recordings, etc. But some
information can only be accessed through intangible sources such as an oral interview. In exploring
different roles a researcher must play to access the information/perspectives needed for the purposes of
their project, we will be exploring the role of interviewer.
We have seen the power of using interview material in Schwartz-Nobel and DePalma. Before you begin
this paper, you may want to reread these pieces to look at how they use their interviews to further their
argument. You may also want to return to them as potential models when you begin writing to consider
how they integrated their gathered material.
GETTING STARTED
 Decide who you are interviewing and have some idea as to why you have chosen them.
 You may choose a family member, an acquaintance, or even a stranger. If you are having a
particularly hard time deciding who to interview, please see me immediately.
 Do they have a compelling life experience you know about? Different life circumstances than
you? Are they a clear example of what you think you will be writing about (or challenge
your position)? Do they represent an experience you know little about?
 Prepare a list of questions that are open-ended, but that will allow you to collect the type of
information that will aid your paper (either to support your position or to represent a counterargument). (You will submit a copy of your questions with your rough draft on 4/11.)
 Asking the right questions is important, but try not to fall into a question/answer format.
 Prepare for your interview by making a list of topics you want to know about, then prepping
questions that will help draw out information about those topics.
 Make sure your questions are open-ended (not yes/no questions). Try using the phrases “tell
me about” or “explain to me.”
 Try to make your questions as neutral as possible (don’t lead them to the answer you’re
expecting).
 There is no “right” length to an interview, but try to prepare your questions based on the length that
you feel would be appropriate.
 Decide if you will be doing an audio or video recording of this interview. I am not requiring that you
record your interview, but it will ensure that you have a record to return to for accurate quotes.
 Schedule your interview. Ask the person you are interviewing to allow for at least 20-30 minutes
(many times these will go longer).
 You may NOT do an interview via email without special permission. I would like your
interview to be done in person.
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Hazlewood/S 11
INTERVIEWING
 Before you begin the interview, make sure that you have tested your recording equipment if you will
be recording the interview.
 Remember that your interviewee is doing you a favor—be courteous and generous.
 Be aware of the ethical concerns of interviewing before you commence:
 Remember to respect the privacy, dignity, and welfare of the interviewee.
o Don’t push them to talk about things they don’t feel comfortable sharing.
o If they need to stop or pause the interview, be respectful of their wishes.
o Make sure they are comfortable throughout the interview (physically and
emotionally).
 Tell your interviewee in advance how you plan to use their interview.
 You may want to have them sign an interview release form (typically signed at the end of the
interview, but can be discussed and reviewed before commencing).
 Begin your interview professionally:
 Make sure you are prepared with questions, pen, and paper.
 Begin the recording by stating your name (interviewer), the interviewee and the date.
 Open the interview with some easy questions to get them comfortable talking.
 Listen attentively to their answers and jot down notes as needed.
 Yes! Even if you are recording it, please take notes! This will help you remember certain
things they say that you want to follow up on in some way (either with them or outside the
interview).
 As they speak, be thinking of follow-up questions to help them develop or expand their
responses.
 Ask for clarification, more detail, or for their feelings and thoughts about an event. If you
have questions, ask them now so you won’t have to bother them later.
 Remain neutral and respectful throughout the interview. The focus should be on them.
 Refrain from making commentary. Your role is a listener and facilitator (to help them
articulate their experience more clearly).
 Don’t interrupt! Allow them to finish their story completely before asking for clarification or
going to your next question. You don’t want to rush them. Make notes for yourself if you
are worried you will forget your questions.
 Silence can be good (within reason); a moment here and there allows time for your interviewee
to organize their thoughts for a response or to transition to another idea.
 At the end of the interview, be sure to allow time for closure.
 Ask them if they would like to add anything that didn’t come up during the interview.
 Thank them for their willingness to help with your assignment.
 Be sure to mention any insight they have brought you on a topic.
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Hazlewood/S 11
POST-INTERVIEW WRITE-UP (DUE 4/11)
Evaluate the content of the interview. Use the questions below to write up an evaluative summary of
your interview. This write-up should give someone who wasn’t there a good overview of the
information that was gathered. It should also allow you to critically evaluate your gathered material for
use in your essay. You may use some quotes in this write- up, but refrain from merely submitting a
transcript-like account. Please submit this write-up and a copy of your interview questions with
your rough draft. These items will count as a separate assignment.
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What was the subject of the interview?
Describe the person being interviewed?
Where was the interview held? When?
What is your relationship to the subject being discussed? Is that evident in the interview?
Briefly, what was discussed or shared?
How much of what the subject said was fact?
How much was opinion?
How do you think you will use this interview in your paper (To support your position? As a
counter-argument? As a hook?)
Essay 4/ Page 4 of 4