To What extent has the United States lived up to the founding ideals outlined in the Declaration of Independence? What is the Dec of Independence? What are the main points within the document? Principles?

Essay

Directions:
Construct an argumentative response (4-5 paragraph essay) to the essential question:
To What extent has the United States lived up to the founding ideals outlined in the Declaration of Independence?
Use the format below to guide the structure of your essay.

Paragraph 1:
Introduction and thesis statement
(Basically answer the question, “Has the United States lived up to the Declaration of Independence?”)
3-4 Complete Sentences

Paragraph 2:
Historical context of the Declaration of Independence and a summary of its main points and principles
5-8 sentences.
What is the Dec of Independence? What are the main points within the document? Principles?

Paragraph 3
4-5 sentences
Defense of thesis using at least two specific historical examples.

Paragraph 4
4-5 sentences
Conclusion: restatement of thesis and summary of main points.