There are multiple definitions of what it means to be an American because it is depended upon one’s opinion. So here’s mine: an American is unique. Michel De Crevecoeur's article “What Is an American?” shows Americans’ determination to make change in their life in order to escape conditions they were not happy with, thus bettering their lives. Because Americans seized the opportunity to make their existence better, Americans are privileged with freedom. This can be explained through out Peter Ferrara’s article “What is an American?”. Peter Ferrara as well as Edward L. Hudgins’ article “What Is an American?” explains how Americans are selfless and they work hard to aid others surrounding them. To make it simple, American are admirable and hard working individuals who seize the opportunity to better their lives and the people’s lives around them.
In 1492, a brave group, soon to be some of the first known Americans, settled in new land after a strenuous journey in search of starting a new life.  They left everything behind in Europe in "search of religious freedom, a life with less government interference and... to escape crowded cities, to own their own land and to earn a better living."What De Crevecoeur means is immigrants were leaving Europe because of the previous push factors and coming to America because of the previous pull factors as well. Americans want to make change to better their lives and our history shows that. To this day, millions of immigrants travel to the home of Lady Liberty looking for a way to better their lives. “Americans welcome the best, but they also welcome the least. The nation symbol of America welcomes your tired and your poor, the wretched refuse of your teeming shores, the homeless, tempest tossed” Ferrara is saying that America is an accepting place for all races and types of people. And for this reason, America is a melting pot welcoming in all kinds of bold individuals from almost every other country in the world. The change they made to better their lives gave them freedom.
  During the Revolutionary War, Americans fought vigorously for rights and their freedom. Now-a-days, Americans are "free to worship as each of them choose" or even "free to believe in no religion" at all (Ferrara). The first amendment gives freedom of speech to all Americans. Every one of them has an opinion and everyone of them wants it to be heard. It has always been like that and it always will. Americans can grow up and choose their own job and even their own destiny. Their destiny being what they make of themselves and what the future holds. An American can be black, white, red, green, or even gold and they are not legally or politically punished for being unique or unordinary.Americans earn their freedom by working and fighting for it and everyday they spread it around.
"An American is from the most prosperous land in the history of the world”(Ferrara). One reason that America is so prosperous is because we are so connected and involved with the world around us. Not only is Uncle Sam made up of immigrants from all over the world, but he has special relationships with many other countries. France helped America gain it’s independence from England and in return we have "helped out just about every other nation in the world in their time of need” (Ferrara). Americans realize that "the best in life requires action, exertion, effort" and they are willing to aid other countries selflessly with those characteristics (Hudgins). Most Americans are willing to sacrifice their lives to help anyone in need. War is a good example of this. If one of America’s allies is being attacked, America will interfere to protect them, even if it means the death of many loyal Americans.
An American creates a better tomorrow for him/herself and others surrounding him/her. America is the sacred land that can provide Ubis Panis and will go to hell and back to help other countries and people in need. Americans work hard to create change and are prosperous and privileged in doing so. And most importantly, an American is unique and free to be whomever they please.

Works Cited
Bradford, William. “Of Plymouth Plantation.” 1630. The Language of Litterature. Ed. Arthur Applebee. Evanston: McDougal Littel, 1997. 90-95. Print.
Chief Joseph. “I Will Fight No More Forever.” 1877. The Language of Literature. Ed. Arthur Applebee. N.p.: n.p., n.d. 527. Print.
De’Creveceour, Michel. What is an American? 1782. The Language of Litterature. Ed. Arthur Applebee. Evanston: McDougal Littel, 1997. 224-25. Print.
Edwards, Rev. Jonathon. “Of Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” The Language of Literature. Ed. Arthur Aplebee. Evanston: McDougal Littel, n.d. 160. Print.
Ferrara, Peter. “What Is an American?” National Review. National Review, 2001. Web. 23 Oct. 2014. .
Hudgins, Edward L. “What Is an American?” Cato Institute. Cato Institute, 1998. Web. 23 Oct. 2014. .
Irving, Washington. “The Devil and Tom Walker.” Language of Litterature. By Arthur Applebee. Evanston: McDougal Littel, n.d. 278. Print.
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