What Does It Mean To Be An American? Explore the Depth of American Identity in Your Essay

The United States of America is a proud nation defined by its values. That is why every country seeks to emulate us, compare itself with us, or oppose us. Identifying oneself as a citizen is often a more challenging task in this country. Once in a while, we get the question, “What does it mean to be an American?”

The answers vary from one individual to another. The variance in the responses got bigger to a point where you have to learn how to write a “What does it mean to be an American” essay.

Currently, our administration believes in 'making America great again.' Don't you think this essay topic is more relevant than ever? 

Why Should We Write “What Does It Mean To Be An American” Essay?

“America is the only place where foreigners protest while raising their country’s flag.”

My colleague, Melanie Jane, made this comment while we were trying to identify points for this section.

Some of our top essay writers were also present as we sought to recall why we wrote such an essay in school. Writing about what it means to be a US citizen involves exploring the depths of national identity, history, and personal beliefs.  

More reasons to write this essay include:

1. Improving Your Critical Thinking

Writing the essay challenges your wits beyond what you think it means to be an American. You have to analyze:

• The foundational concepts you are aware of
• Historical events, especially the ones that led to the making of America
• The current societal dynamics and how they are defined by ‘the melting pot’ metaphor

…among other facets to help you come up with a refined perspective.

For example, Democrats and Republicans are currently engaged in a heated debate about how to handle immigration policies. The conversation requires us to evaluate how to balance national security and our historical role in providing refuge for immigrants.

Performing such an analysis helps you board the critical thinking train. You will seek to consider various viewpoints to develop a conclusive argument.

2. Developing Self-Reflection

What is your personal experience of being an American? Reflecting on what you have gone through (as a native or through the naturalization process) helps you understand your identity. You can integrate self-examination with the national ideals within the broader American narrative.  

Some of these national ideals include:

• Equality
• Liberty
• Democracy
• Civic duty
• Following the rule of law

America is diverse - a notion embraced by many people with multicultural backgrounds. Others have experienced different cultures and societal settings, which later blended to form a unified culture (the melting pot metaphor).

Regardless of your heritage, you can experience the enriched American diversity. Drawing on such experience through the essay-writing process helps you become self-aware as you write about the rich tapestry that is part of our nation.

3. Getting Civic Awareness Education

As a citizen in a country that duly exercises democracy, it's the right thing to contemplate your role and responsibilities. People always want to address issues such as:

• Your voting rights
• Public service
• Civic engagement

Exploring such concepts provides insight into how democracy in the country functions. For example, as youth, discussing voter turnout shapes our understanding of the importance of participating in an exercise that determines our future.

Demonstrating such understanding in your essay demonstrates your ability to nurture informed and active citizenship.

4. Understanding the Cultural Diversity

We have mentioned the various cultural settings we are already experiencing in the country under the self-reflection point. The cultural diversity within our borders allows us to appreciate the complexity involved.

For example, most countries do not have Mexicans, Spaniards, British, Germans, and Africans from different communities in a single setting. Such an experience on US soil helps students (and other citizens in general) learn about the challenges and contributions of the various ethnic and cultural groups.

This cultivates empathy and a sense of cultural sensitivity in us. Such an essay can prompt you to examine the experiences of indigenous communities and immigrants to understand how American society is multifaceted. This implies that by writing the essay, you can cultivate inclusiveness and harmony.

5. Polishing Your Writing Skills

As you explore your identity as an American, you are also writing an essay that will sharpen your writing skills. Depending on the type of essay (we will discuss this later), you will also polish your analytical, argumentative, or reflective skills.  

Don’t forget that you will also be researching. That’s another skill you will be working on as you:

• Analyze parts of our history
• Check the statistics showing the demographic changes
• Criticize the various viewpoints people have on our national identity

Acquiring such skills will benefit other studies you will be taking, especially in essay writing.

6. Exploring a Complex Issue

American identity is already a complex issue. Matters such as social justice, racism, and inequality involve never-ending debates. Discussing any of these issues (or a combination of them) encourages the learners to confront the challenges and contradictions in our society.

It also increases the diversity of our answers when we later ask ourselves what it means to be an American today.

Here are events that can help clarify this point. The deaths of Michael Brown and George Floyd brought forth the Black Lives Matter movement. Some of the American ideals here (equality and justice) were put to the test during the nationwide protests that led to significant damage. Part of the results was heated discussions about ongoing struggles and current progress.

Your essay's mention of such issues demonstrates that you are aware of our country's imperfections and acknowledge the efforts that the various communities are making to address them.

7. Promoting an Interdisciplinary Approach in Learning

Writing about what it means to be an American integrates various subjects and disciplines. There is a touch of history here (social studies), English, and essay writing.

As you write the essay, you will connect the tapped historical events with contemporary issues and literature. That’s a profound way to enrich your educational experience!

Of course, studying the civil rights movement involves history and extensive literature. Such integration will make your academic studies relevant to real-world contexts.

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Which Essay Type Should You Write to Explore Your American Identity?

Now, we know why your professor is telling you to write such an essay. But wait…before you start writing, which type or category should it fall into? If your teacher or professor has specified, then jump to the ‘How to’ part in the next section.

If not, then note that your essay can fall under the following three major categories:

A Reflective Essay

You can reflectively write the essay. Why? The essay allows you to write about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts. According to our reflective essay writing help, reflection also applies to the prompt you are responding to – exploring how you understand yourself.

Through introspection, you will share how you connect to the topic.

An Argumentative/Persuasive Essay

You may have a view of an American identity that your fellow students don’t share or entertain. While we share many American ideals, our views on self-identification sometimes clash.

Suppose you want to know the impact of the clash. In that case, Olivia S., in our argumentative essay writing service docket, suggests standing in a busy street and targeting people with different backgrounds. Ask them what it means to be an American, and be ready to get shocking answers.

With such different points of view, you get an argumentative ticket to present your arguments on what the meaning of being an American is from your point of view.

If not, you can try to persuade the readers why your take should stand out or at least be considered. Our persuasive essay writing help team includes experts who advocate for this approach.

If you decide to write persuasively or argumentatively, be prepared to back up your claims with evidence and better reasoning.

Analytical Essay

Another route you can take is the analytical way. An analytical essay allows you to analyze the ‘being an American’ concept by breaking down all its essential parts.

Suggestions from our analytical essay writing help team hint that you can discuss concepts like our history, values, and culture, among others. The trick under this approach is to examine the components you want to write about and then draw conclusions that your readers can use.

What’s Your Take?

Some people combine all the types above to create a hybrid essay. Such an essay incorporates their thoughts, analysis, and arguments supporting their interpretation of what it means to be an American.

Others will want to consider one type to focus on one approach. Whichever way suits you, feel free to take it and jot down the essay. If you still don't know what to do, let our essay writers help you get it right.

How to Write What It Means To Be An American Essay

Now, it’s time to write about how you identify as an American. Our guide will have all the pointers you need to start writing the essay. As you read through, I would like you to think of two things:

• The US flag and what it means
• The statement “All men are created equal” from the Declaration of Independence

While they linger in your mind, take your time to master the essay writing procedure below.

1. Understand the Essay’s Question

Before writing or researching anything, ask yourself, “What does it mean to be an American today?”

Your reflection should start there as you consider what defines you as a US citizen today. Since you are living in the present, there is nothing wrong with thinking about the contemporary concepts that represent the current American identity.

When considering the present, look into our historical roots, cultural diversity, and how our values have changed since independence.

Write down the thoughts somewhere since they will form the basis for your research. 

2. Research Points for the Essay

Your thoughts on what an American identity means will guide your research. However, don't be shocked when the research leads you to other points you had not considered. Why? It's research, and you need to do it with an open mind.

As you research, consider the following concepts:

• The historical context: Look into the nation's founding principles, such as equality, liberty, and democracy.
• Cultural diversity: Almost every country in the world has its members living on American soil. That is why we are known as the ‘nation of immigrants’. Explore the diverse cultures around you and see how they have contributed to forming the current societal fabric.
• Contemporary perspectives: Consider what has been happening recently. You could start from 1900 – much of the current history since then is well documented. Look at the social movements and the change in the political climate to determine what influences the American identity today.

The research may take time before developing realistic points to guide your essay. If it will take more than the stipulated time, our essay writers can help you speed up the process.

Since this topic invites vastness, you cannot cover everything. However, your considerations may include:

• Your personal experiences as an American. Consider your family’s history, personal values, and your cultural background
• The broad themes that define America: equality, freedom, civic engagement, diversity, and the ‘American Dream’.
• The changes in those themes. For example, how do you perceive the American Dream in the 21^st century?
• Your civic duty in a polarized nation
• The sports culture and the games that carry the nation’s pride: baseball and American football

3. Write a Thesis Statement

As you were researching, what did you think your perspective is when trying to identify yourself as an American? What did you think of when thinking about the US as a whole?

Here are a few paragraphs to help you keep the brain busy.

Your train of thought can start with George Washington leading the Continental Army. It can then undergo the Civil War before the first wave of 19th-century immigrants. You can also ponder industrialization and the roaring twenties at the beginning of the 20^th century.

Think about what the American Dream meant before and after James Truslow. What are some of the issues that have built or corrupted such an idea? Continue through WWII and the uprising in the 1960s. Look at some of the heroes we know, from Bob Dylan to the first responders when Southern California faced winter fires in January 2025.

Going through such things as you think about them will help you write a strong thesis statement that guides the essay from your point of view. An example of a thesis statement in this case would be:

“Being an American today means preserving our democracy, appreciating diversity, and participating in the continually evolving national identity.”

Is that a good statement? If you want to know if it’s okay, think about how the thesis statement will guide every paragraph you write.

4. Structure the Essay and Write

With the research and thesis statement ready, the next part is creating an outstanding essay outline and crafting the essay. We have guided many students through writing an essay from scratch.

So, we will use the same knowledge to guide you through writing this one. All essays have an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The approach differs based on the topic and the type of essay you are writing.

Do you remember the type of essay you should write before the outline and the writing? In the type part, we mentioned that this essay can be a hybrid or that you can choose the type that guides your approach.

If you need help making it a hybrid, our essay writers will write by combining the expertise of the four departments.

Now, when it comes to the structure, we will share it with suggestions on what to write in each part. Your essay should follow the following writing route:

Introduction:

The introduction should always grab the readers’ attention. So, consider having an attention-grabbing essay hook as the first sentence. It can be a famous quote (e.g., from Martin Luther King Jr.) that unites Americans or a statistic that resonates with everyone (like the current immigration status).

In the middle, bring in the essay’s purpose (or the topic) and then end the introduction with the thesis statement you created in step 3.

Body Paragraphs:

How many paragraphs are you supposed to write? You could write three, four, or five paragraphs to include in the body part. Whatever the number is, each paragraph should focus on a specific aspect that reflects or coincides with the American identity. You must also choose the right words to start a paragraph based on what each one addresses.

You can follow this order:

• Start with the historical foundations and concepts, and show how they assisted in shaping the American identity
• Touch on cultural diversity and show the impact of immigration on societal norms and values
• Finalize by addressing the modern opportunities and flaws that influence the meaning of American identity. Consider political debates or social justice movements.

NB: Support your points with evidence from recognized sources. Also, follow the citation and formatting rules in the essay instructions. It’s one of the recommended ways to avoid plagiarism in essay writing.

Conclusion:

Summarize all the points you have included in the body. Ensure that the conclusion restates or revisits your essay following your shared points. A good idea here is to ruminate on how the dynamic American identity affects the present and future implications.

If you need more ideas, read on about how to end a college essay to see how you can end the identity writing test. It’s essential to know how to end your essay, especially if you focus on a particular essay type while writing. 

Tip: When writing, include your personal experiences or observations. You can reflect on your background or experience related to the broader themes and foundational concepts.

5. Revise and Edit

Once you are done writing, take a short break before looking at the written content again. Engage in a different activity first, like taking your dog out, getting lunch, or playing a fun game for 30 minutes.

It all depends on what you are up to. When you are ready, do the following:

• Review the content to ensure that your arguments are well-placed and that they all support your thesis.
• Read through to see if you have achieved the correct flow and clarity. How is the transition from one paragraph to the next?
• As you read, correct any form of errors. Contact our editing and proofreading services for a professional look-over if you need assistance.
• Ensure that your citation and referencing are correct based on your guidelines.

When everything is ready, submit your essay and wait for the results.

We Help Students Write “What It Means to Be an American” Essay

We have over a decade of experience helping students with their academic matters. Our college essay writing services have guided students to write such an essay in:

• Social studies, where students explore the concept of national identity, civic values, and citizenship
• American studies is an interdisciplinary field where students study American history, society, and culture
• History where students dig deeper into the country’s history
• English essay and composition writing about American identity. Students are primarily assessed on reflective or persuasive writing, on their ability to focus on arguments, and on their ability to express themselves.
• Political science essay writing where learners examine political ideologies and how they affect the definition of being an American.

If your professor introduces this topic in another subject or field, you can still ask for help with essay writing from our experts. Our reputation for working with students is cultivated by:

• Delivering human-written essays
• Having vetted and qualified essay-writing experts
• On-time delivery, regardless of how tight the deadline is
• Offering affordable homework help with student-friendly rates
• Performing free revisions when the need arises
• 24/7 customer support  
• Upholding privacy and confidentiality when working with learners in general

Wrapping Up

Writing about ‘What it Means to Be an American' allows learners to explore their national identity. Like most essays, you must research, write, and proofread following the guidelines.

If you haven’t written such an essay before, your teacher, tutor, or professor will one day ask you to write about it. Follow what we have shared in our blog, and you'll have a good start.

If you experience difficulties, send your essay requirements to our experts, who will show you how to identify yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does it mean to be an American?

Being an American means:

• You are an American citizen either by birth or naturalization
• You embrace our founding principles: liberty, life, and the pursuit of happiness
• You actively participate in democratic processes
• You uphold our equality and justice values
• You accept and appreciate our cultural diversity
• You are continually committed to self-improvement as you chase the American Dream

2. How can I start my ‘American identity’ essay?

You can start the American identity essay with either a thought-provoking question or a fact that relates to everyone. After that, state the essay's purpose and end the introduction with a thesis statement to guide your essay writing process.

3. Which sources of information can I utilize when researching American identity?

Utilize the following resources when researching what it means to be an American:

• Newspapers
• Speeches (audio, video, and written)
• Letters and diaries
• Books and scholarly articles that talk about American identity and related issues
• Various forms of historical archives and collections
• Your family’s history and background
• Other written essays on the same topic

4. How do I incorporate my personal experiences in the essay without affecting objectivity?

You can add personal experiences in the essay and still achieve objectivity by:

• Using the third-person perspective while writing to generalize the insights
• Supporting your claims with data or evidence
• Showing the relationship between your personal experiences and the broader themes
• Ensuring that your narratives are in line with the academic requirements

5. Which pitfalls should I avoid when writing an American identity essay?

The common pitfalls you should avoid when writing an American identity essay include:

• Choosing the wrong approach to the topic
• Being overly personal or writing negatively
• Being either too general or too specific
• Poor organization of ideas
• Grammatical errors resulting from a lack of proofreading