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124 Personal Identity Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

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Personal Identity Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Personal identity is a complex and multi-faceted concept that encompasses how individuals perceive themselves and how they are perceived by others. Exploring personal identity can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and one's place in the world. In this article, we will provide you with 124 personal identity essay topic ideas and examples to help inspire your writing.

  • The role of culture in shaping personal identity
  • How do social media profiles influence personal identity?
  • The impact of family background on personal identity
  • Exploring the concept of self-identity
  • How do personal experiences shape one's identity?
  • The relationship between personal identity and self-esteem
  • The influence of gender on personal identity
  • How do personal values shape one's identity?
  • The impact of education on personal identity
  • The role of religion in shaping personal identity
  • How does race and ethnicity influence personal identity?
  • The impact of language on personal identity
  • The influence of societal norms on personal identity
  • How does personal identity change over time?
  • Exploring the concept of multiple identities
  • The impact of social class on personal identity
  • The relationship between personal identity and mental health
  • How do personal relationships shape one's identity?
  • The influence of physical appearance on personal identity
  • The role of personal beliefs in shaping identity
  • How does personal identity influence career choices?
  • The impact of trauma on personal identity
  • Exploring the concept of collective identity
  • The relationship between personal identity and social identity
  • How does personal identity influence decision-making?
  • The influence of media on personal identity
  • The impact of technology on personal identity
  • The role of personal interests in shaping identity
  • How do personal goals influence one's identity?
  • The influence of political beliefs on personal identity
  • Exploring the concept of national identity
  • The impact of globalization on personal identity
  • The relationship between personal identity and self-expression
  • How does personal identity influence social interactions?
  • The influence of personal experiences on cultural identity
  • The impact of migration on personal identity
  • The role of language in shaping cultural identity
  • How do personal values influence cultural identity?
  • The relationship between cultural identity and national identity
  • Exploring the concept of hybrid identity
  • The impact of globalization on cultural identity
  • The influence of media on cultural identity
  • The role of education in shaping cultural identity
  • How does cultural identity influence social interactions?
  • The impact of colonialism on cultural identity
  • The relationship between cultural identity and language
  • Exploring the concept of diaspora identity
  • The influence of religion on cultural identity
  • The role of food in shaping cultural identity
  • How do cultural traditions influence identity?
  • The impact of migration on cultural identity
  • How does cultural identity influence personal relationships?
  • The influence of societal norms on cultural identity
  • The role of music in shaping cultural identity
  • Exploring the concept of intercultural identity
  • The impact of technology on cultural identity
  • The influence of fashion on cultural identity
  • The relationship between cultural identity and social identity
  • How does cultural identity influence decision-making?
  • The impact of globalization on national identity
  • The role of history in shaping national identity
  • Exploring the concept of ethnic identity
  • The influence of language on national identity
  • The relationship between national identity and cultural identity
  • How does national identity influence political beliefs?
  • The impact of colonialism on national identity
  • The role of symbols in shaping national identity
  • Exploring the concept of regional identity
  • The influence of geography on national identity
  • The relationship between national identity and social identity
  • How does national identity influence personal values?
  • The impact of migration on national identity
  • The role of education in shaping national identity
  • Exploring the concept of national pride
  • The influence of media on national identity
  • The relationship between national identity and global identity
  • How does national identity influence decision-making?
  • The impact of nationalism on national identity
  • The role of sports in shaping national identity
  • Exploring the concept of national heritage
  • The influence of language on regional identity
  • The relationship between regional identity and cultural identity
  • How does regional identity influence social interactions?
  • The impact of history on regional identity
  • The role of geography in shaping regional identity
  • Exploring the concept of local identity
  • The influence of traditions on regional identity
  • The relationship between regional identity and national identity
  • How does regional identity influence personal relationships?
  • The impact of migration on regional identity
  • The role of education in shaping regional identity
  • Exploring the concept of regional pride
  • The influence of media on regional identity
  • The relationship between regional identity and social identity
  • How does regional identity influence decision-making?
  • The impact of globalization on regional identity
  • The role of sports in shaping regional identity
  • Exploring the concept of regional heritage
  • The influence of language on local identity
  • The relationship between local identity and cultural identity
  • How does local identity influence social interactions?
  • The impact of history on local identity
  • The role of geography in shaping local identity
  • Exploring the concept of community identity
  • The influence of traditions on local identity
  • The relationship between local identity and national identity
  • How does local identity influence personal relationships?
  • The impact of migration on local identity
  • The role of education in shaping local identity
  • Exploring the concept of local pride
  • The influence of media on local identity
  • The relationship between local identity and social identity
  • How does local identity influence decision-making?
  • The impact of globalization on local identity
  • The role of community events in shaping local identity
  • Exploring the concept of community heritage
  • The influence of language on community identity
  • The relationship between community identity and cultural identity
  • How does community identity influence social interactions?
  • The impact of history on community identity
  • The role of geography in shaping community identity
  • Exploring the concept of neighborhood identity
  • The influence of traditions on community identity

In conclusion, personal identity is a complex and nuanced concept that is shaped by a variety of factors, including culture, social interactions, personal experiences, and more. By exploring different facets of personal identity, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. We hope that the essay topic ideas and examples provided in this article will inspire you to further explore the concept of personal identity and its impact on individuals and society as a whole.

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Research: What Is American Identity and Why Does It Matter?

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Why Does the American Identity Matter?

The most important reason for understanding American identity is related to white racial identification. It may not be prevalent in U.S. political attitudes, but it’s still an issue. A survey from 2012 asked white respondents to indicate if whiteness represented the way they thought of themselves most of the time, as opposed to identifying themselves as Americans . One fifth of the survey’s white respondents said that they preferred the term white to American when identifying themselves.

How to Analyze American Identity

  • There’s no such thing as a universal identity, especially for an omni-cultural country such as the USA.
  • Everyone has their own understanding of what it means to be American today, as citizens come from different religious, ethnic, ideological, and geographical backgrounds.
  • Explaining the concept of American identity calls for an inclusive approach based on solidarity.
  • Depending on how you discuss the concept, an academic essay may require arguments on modern-day immigration and immigrant policies. How do they fit within the common understanding of American identity?

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How to do IELTS

IELTS Essay: National Identity

by Dave | IELTS Writing Task 2 Real Past Tests Sample Answers | 7 Comments

IELTS Essay: National Identity

This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of national identity from the real exam.

Please consider supporting me on Patreon.com/howtodoielts to receive my full, exclusive IELTS Ebooks! My online video subscription courses are also available here .

Some think increasing business and cultural contact between nations is positive. Others think it leads to the disappearance of the national identity.

Discuss both views and state your own opinion.

Many feel that the effects of globalization on economics and culture are a beneficial. In my opinion, although there is an argument for the financial implications, the risks to the uniqueness of a national identity make it a negative overall.

Supporters of such close contact point out the meaningful economic ramifications. This is particularly important for more isolated and undeveloped nations. There are countries where natural resources are extremely lacking or unbalanced and this has slowed their progress historically. For instance, many countries in the Middle East lack the arable land to support large population growth. The discovery of vast reserves of oil in the 20th century allowed them to exploit trade agreements to improve their economic outlook and basic infrastructure. This same fact applies to varying degrees to nearly all nations as trade enriches and a country without necessarily creating any negative byproducts.

Nonetheless, the danger for culture is more lasting and therefore more significant. The national identity of a country is not simply made up of the dominant ethnic group. Every country has minorities and ethnic populations that are most at risk through this process. For instance, in many parts of Asia and Africa there are numerous indigenous groups that struggle to flourish in a modern, global economy. For instance, the Hmong in Vietnam are famed for their craftsmanship and attention to detail in hand-weaving and dyeing sustainable clothing yet many of them must now abandon their traditional roots to live in cities and work anonymous jobs for large corporations. Once such cultures are lost, they will never return and the economic benefits will be little comfort at that point.

In conclusion, despite the economic advantages of globalization, the possibility of a country losing its individual cultural character is too great a risk. Countries must therefore take steps to safeguard their culture.

1. Many feel that the effects of globalization on economics and culture are a beneficial. 2. In my opinion, although there is an argument for the financial implications, the risks to the uniqueness of a national identity make it a negative overall.

  • Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
  • Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here .

1. Supporters of such close contact point out the meaningful economic ramifications. 2. This is particularly important for more isolated and undeveloped nations. 3. There are countries where natural resources are extremely lacking or unbalanced and this has slowed their progress historically. 4. For instance, many countries in the Middle East lack the arable land to support large population growth. 5. The discovery of vast reserves of oil in the 20th century allowed them to exploit trade agreements to improve their economic outlook and basic infrastructure. 6. This same fact applies to varying degrees to nearly all nations as trade enriches and a country without necessarily creating any negative byproducts.

  • Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
  • Explain your main idea.
  • Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
  • Keep developing it fully.
  • Vary long and short sentences.
  • Finish development.

1. Nonetheless, the danger for culture is more lasting and therefore more significant. 2. The national identity of a country is not simply made up of the dominant ethnic group. 3. Every country has minorities and ethnic populations that are most at risk through this process. 4. For instance, in many parts of Asia and Africa there are numerous indigenous groups that struggle to flourish in a modern, global economy. 5. For instance, the Hmong in Vietnam are famed for their craftsmanship and attention to detail in hand-weaving and dyeing sustainable clothing yet many of them must now abandon their traditional roots to live in cities and work anonymous jobs for large corporations. 6. Once such cultures are lost, they will never return and the economic benefits will be little comfort at that point.

  • Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
  • Explain your new main idea.
  • Include specific details and examples.
  • Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
  • Develop the example fully.
  • State the results as well.
  • Summarise your main ideas.
  • Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here .

What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.

Many feel that the effects of globalization on economics and culture are a beneficial . In my opinion, although there is an argument for the financial implications , the risks to the uniqueness of a national identity make it a negative overall.

Supporters of such close contact point out the meaningful economic ramifications . This is particularly important for more isolated and undeveloped nations . There are countries where natural resources are extremely lacking or unbalanced and this has slowed their progress historically . For instance, many countries in the Middle East lack the arable land to support large population growth . The discovery of vast reserves of oil in the 20th century allowed them to exploit trade agreements to improve their economic outlook and basic infrastructure . This same fact applies to varying degrees to nearly all nations as trade enriches and a country without necessarily creating any negative byproducts .

Nonetheless , the danger for culture is more lasting and therefore more significant. The national identity of a country is not simply made up of the dominant ethnic group . Every country has minorities and ethnic populations that are most at risk through this process. For instance, in many parts of Asia and Africa there are numerous indigenous groups that struggle to flourish in a modern , global economy. For instance, the Hmong in Vietnam are famed for their craftsmanship and attention to detail in hand-weaving and dyeing sustainable clothing yet many of them must now abandon their traditional roots to live in cities and work anonymous jobs for large corporations . Once such cultures are lost, they will never return and the economic benefits will be little comfort at that point .

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

globalization countries trading and becoming more similar

economics the finances of a country

culture tradition, art, beliefs, etc.

beneficial advantageous

argument opinion

financial implications effects related to money

risks threats

uniqueness what’s special

national identity the character of a country

supporters people in favor of

close contact communicating closely

point out argue

meaningful economic ramifications important effects for the economy

particularly important especially crucial

isolated all alone

undeveloped nations countries that are not as developed

natural resources oil, timber, water, etc.

extremely lacking not having something

unbalanced not in equal proportions

slowed their progress historically kept them from developing in the past

lack don’t have

arable land land that can be farmed

support large population growth allow for lots of people

discovery finding out about

vast reserves large quantities

exploit trade agreements take advantage of pacts to trade

improve their economic outlook make the economy better

basic infrastructure roads, internet, electricity, schools, etc.

applies to varying degrees true to some extent

enriches makes better

without necessarily doesn’t have to

negative byproducts bad symptoms

nonetheless regardless

danger risk

lasting permanent

therefore thus

made up of constituted

dominant ethnic group main demographic

minorities smaller ethnic groups in a population

ethnic populations groups of people

at risk the threat of

numerous indigenous groups many original peoples

struggle have a tough time

flourish do better

modern contemporary

Hmong an ethnic group from Asia

famed for well-known for

craftsmanship how they make things

attention to detail care

hand-weaving making fabric by hand

dyeing sustainable clothing coloring fabric not using chemicals

yet however

abandon leave

traditional roots customs and history

anonymous lacking identity

large corporations big companies

will be little comfort at that point will no longer feel good

possibility chance

take steps do things

safeguard protect

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search :

ˌgləʊb(ə)laɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n   ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪks   ˈkʌlʧə   ˌbɛnɪˈfɪʃəl ˈɑːgjʊmənt   faɪˈnænʃəl ˌɪmplɪˈkeɪʃənz rɪsks   juːˈniːknəs   ˈnæʃənl aɪˈdɛntɪti   səˈpɔːtəz   kləʊs ˈkɒntækt   pɔɪnt aʊt   ˈmiːnɪŋfʊl ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˌræmɪfɪˈkeɪʃənz . pəˈtɪkjʊləli ɪmˈpɔːtənt   ˈaɪsəleɪtɪd   ˌʌndɪˈvɛləpt ˈneɪʃənz ˈnæʧrəl rɪˈsɔːsɪz   ɪksˈtriːmli ˈlækɪŋ   ʌnˈbælənst   sləʊd ðeə ˈprəʊgrəs hɪsˈtɒrɪkəli læk   ˈærəbl lænd   səˈpɔːt lɑːʤ ˌpɒpjʊˈleɪʃən grəʊθ   dɪsˈkʌvəri   vɑːst rɪˈzɜːvz   ˈɛksplɔɪt treɪd əˈgriːmənts   ɪmˈpruːv ðeər ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˈaʊtlʊk   ˈbeɪsɪk ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌkʧə əˈplaɪz tuː ˈveəriɪŋ dɪˈgriːz   ɪnˈrɪʧɪz   wɪˈðaʊt ˈnɛsɪsərɪli   ˈnɛgətɪv ˈbaɪˌprɒdʌkts ˌnʌnðəˈlɛs   ˈdeɪnʤə   ˈlɑːstɪŋ   ˈðeəfɔː   meɪd ʌp ɒv   ˈdɒmɪnənt ˈɛθnɪk gruːp maɪˈnɒrɪtiz   ˈɛθnɪk ˌpɒpjʊˈleɪʃənz   æt rɪsk   ˈnjuːmərəs ɪnˈdɪʤɪnəs gruːps   ˈstrʌgl   ˈflʌrɪʃ   ˈmɒdən həməŋ feɪmd fɔː   ˈkrɑːftsmənʃɪp   əˈtɛnʃ(ə)n tuː ˈdiːteɪl   hænd-ˈwiːvɪŋ   ˈdaɪɪŋ səsˈteɪnəbl ˈkləʊðɪŋ   jɛt   əˈbændən   trəˈdɪʃənl ruːts əˈnɒnɪməs   lɑːʤ ˌkɔːpəˈreɪʃənz wɪl biː ˈlɪtl ˈkʌmfət æt ðæt pɔɪnt ˌpɒsəˈbɪlɪti   teɪk stɛps   ˈseɪfgɑːd  

Vocabulary Practice

I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:

Many feel that the effects of g_____________n on e_____________s and c__________e are a b_____________l . In my opinion, although there is an a____________t for the f_______________________s , the r_____s to the u________________s of a n____________________y make it a negative overall.

S______________s of such c__________________t p_________________t the m______________________________s . This is p_______________________t for more i____________d and u______________________s . There are countries where n______________________s are e____________________g or u_______________d and this has s_______________________________y . For instance, many countries in the Middle East l_____k the a_____________d to s_________________________________h . The d___________y of v________________s of oil in the 20th century allowed them to e________________________s to i_____________________________________k and b_________________e . This same fact a_________________________s to nearly all nations as trade e___________s and a country w__________________y creating any n____________________s .

N_________________s , the d_________r for culture is more l__________g and t______________e more significant. The national identity of a country is not simply m_______________f the d_____________________p . Every country has m____________s and e_____________________s that are most a________k through this process. For instance, in many parts of Asia and Africa there are n_______________________s that s__________e to f________h in a m_________n , global economy. For instance, the H________g in Vietnam are f___________r their c________________p and a_____________________l in h_________________g and d_________________________________t many of them must now a_________n their t______________s to live in cities and work a________________s jobs for l______________________s . Once such cultures are lost, they will never return and the economic benefits w_____________________________________t .

In conclusion, despite the economic advantages of globalization, the p____________y of a country losing its individual cultural character is too great a risk. Countries must therefore t___________s to s___________d their culture.

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic by watching videos from The New York Times YouTube channel below and practice with these activities :

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice :

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/02/01/when-it-comes-to-national-identity-language-trumps-religion-culture-and-place-of-birth-study-finds/

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam :

Your Home Nation/Country

  • Where are you from?
  • What do you like the most about your country?
  • Where would you like to live in your country?
  • Are people in your country patriotic?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS essay topic below:

Globalization is positive for economies but its negative sides should not be ignored.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

IELTS Essay: Globalization

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Rosy Mathew

Which is correct grammatically- There IS a plethora of OR There ARE a plethora of

Dave

It is singular technically but often used with both: https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/plethora-singular-or-plural#:~:text=Plethora%20is%20usually%20written%20as,a%20plethora%20of%20examples%20is.%22

Rosy Mathew

I want to notify you that this website has copied your essay. http://ieltsdaljeet.com/ielts-essay-latest-writing-task-2/

Thanks for letting me know, Rosy – I will contact them!

Anonymous

This paragraph is very difficult for me to understand maybe because of my less knowledge about places

Keep practicing and you’ll get there!

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Journal of Democracy

Why National Identity Matters

  • Francis Fukuyama

Select your citation format:

Read the full essay here .

National identity has been pivotal to the fortunes of modern states. When channeled in the form of an exclusive and intolerant ethnonationalism, it can drive acts of persecution and aggression. Yet national identities can also be built around liberal and democratic political values, and around the shared experiences of diverse communities. Contrary to arguments that the concepts of national identity and state sovereignty have become outmoded, such an inclusive sense of national identity remains critical to maintaining a successful modern political order. National identity not only enhances physical security, but also inspires good governance; facilitates economic development; fosters trust among citizens; engenders support for strong social safety nets; and ultimately makes possible liberal democracy itself.

About the Author

Francis Fukuyama is Olivier Nomellini Senior Fellow at Stanford’s Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies. 

View all work by Francis Fukuyama

Further Reading

Volume 4, Issue 4

The Challenge of Ethnic Conflict: The Fate of Minorities in Eastern Europe

  • Janusz Bugajski

Volume 30, Issue 2

Nationalism, Democracy, and Memory Laws

  • George Soroka
  • Félix Krawatzek

Europe has seen a proliferation of laws governing historical memory, but they sometimes threaten to inflame social tensions and undermine liberal values.

Volume 19, Issue 2

Russia’s Transition to Autocracy

  • Pierre Hassner

Just as Russia's leaders pretend that they are ruling over a democracy, they also pretend that they are ruling over an empire.

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About this Lesson

The goal of this final lesson is to provide a bridge from the examination of individual identity in prior lessons to the study of the history, literature, or civics of the United States with which students will engage throughout the rest of the year.

Students will start the lesson by considering the idea that nations, like individuals, have identities. They will also consider the relationship between a nation’s identity and the identities of the individuals who comprise that nation. Then they will look at evidence of the changing demographics and increasing diversity of the United States and analyze what that information suggests about the complexity of the country’s national identity. Finally, students will respond to the idea that a cohesive national identity requires knowledge and values shared by all individuals in a nation, and they will consider a variety of ideas about the knowledge and values that unite Americans.

In this lesson, and through the course that follows, students will discover that the identity of the United States is the product of interactions between many different groups, or communities, and many different types of people. Thus, the choices people make about their identities, and the way they live with others, all contribute to the national narrative as well as to the national identity. Students will also discover that, because people with so many different backgrounds have contributed to the identity of the United States, the ways that people think about the United States often vary and sometimes conflict with one another. That tension itself might be part of how one defines American identity.

As students continue to study American history, literature, or civics, they will hopefully be able to recognize some of these themes of identity: the choices, the labels, and the legacies that inform what the United States of America has been and continues to become. More important is the hope that they will be able to recognize their part in the narrative of the United States and their ability to influence the next part of the story.

Essential Questions

  • Where does a nation’s identity come from? How can individuals with so many different identities come together to form a national identity?
  • What is the national identity of the United States, and how does it relate to each of us as individuals?

What's Included

This lesson includes: 

3 activities 2 readings 1 video

Save this resource for easy access later.

Lesson plans.

Begin an Identity Chart for the United States

This activity introduces students to the concept of national identity. Students then draw upon their initial thoughts about American identity from the beginning of the unit to begin an identity chart for the United States.

Explain to students that just like individuals have identities, so do nations. Ask students to think or write quietly about the following questions: Where does a nation’s identity come from? How can individuals with so many different identities come together to form a national identity? Next, start an  identity chart  for the United States. Ideally, you can create the identity chart on a large piece of paper that can be posted in the classroom. You will return to the chart throughout this lesson. Ask students to recall the first lesson in this unit, when they drew pictures to illustrate an “American” and analyzed the  Flag of Faces . (You might even show this image again now.) Ask students what words, phrases, or images should be added to the class identity chart for the United States based on this initial thinking. Then ask students to brainstorm in their journals any other words or phrases that come to mind that they think describe the identity of the United States.

Related Materials

  • Teaching Strategy Identity Charts
  • Image Flag of Faces

Gather Additional Evidence about the Identity of the United States

Students will watch a short video and use a report on the changing demographics of the United States to identify additional words and phrases to add to their identity chart for the United States.

Show students the video  American ID: Three Words . Ask students to write down three to five words used in the video to describe American identity. Then lead a class discussion about the video, using the following questions: What common themes did you notice in the video related to how people around the world view American identity? Where do you think people’s ideas about American identity come from? What are some of the labels people use to describe the United States? What are some of the assumptions they make? Which labels and assumptions from the video ring true, based on your own experience? Which feel untrue to you? Which words and phrases from the video should we add to our identity chart for the United States?
  • Share with students the reading  Shifting Demographics in the United States . The data in this reading will help to illustrate the complicated relationship between individual and national identity in the United States. Read it together as a class, and clarify language and statistics for students as necessary.
  • Divide the class into pairs or small groups, and assign one paragraph of  Shifting Demographics in the United States  to each group. It will be each group’s task to dig into their assigned paragraph, discuss its meaning, and use it to come up with another item to add to the identity chart for the United States. Each group’s item might be a statistic or direct quotation from their paragraph, or they might come up with their own word or phrase that summarizes their understanding of the paragraph.
  • After groups have completed their tasks, ask a member from each group to add their group’s item to the class identity chart.
  • At this point in the lesson, lead the class in a short discussion to take stock of the characteristics on the identity chart. What conclusions can they draw so far about the national identity of the United States? What questions do they have?
  • Video American ID: Three Words
  • Reading Shifting Demographics in the United States

Explore Common Knowledge and Values among Americans

In this activity, students will be introduced to the idea that a national identity is more than a list of diverse qualities and characteristics of the citizenry; it is also a collection of knowledge and values shared across the nation. This idea sets up a tension between the identities of individuals and the collective identity of a nation.

Now that students have begun the process of characterizing a national identity for the United States, share with them the following quotation from author and educator Eric Liu: The . . . challenge, for Americans new and old, is to make a common culture that’s greater than the sum of our increasingly diverse parts. It’s not enough for the United States to be a neutral zone where a million little niches of identity might flourish; in order to make our diversity a true asset, we need those niches to be able to share a vocabulary. We need to be able to have a broad base of common knowledge so that our diversity can be most fully activated. 1
What is Eric Liu saying about national identity in the United States? Explain this quotation in your own words. Do you agree with Liu? Why or why not?
  • Pass out the reading  What Does It Mean to “Be American”?  The reading includes quotations from a variety of people saying what they think are examples of the common knowledge and values that unite individual Americans in the identity of the United States.
  • Students will individually read through the quotations and choose one that they have a strong reaction to. They should copy the quotation into their journals. (If it is especially long, they might simply copy the first sentence.) Then they will respond to the quotation. Do they agree with it? Is it consistent with their experience of the United States? Or do they think it is incorrect or misguided? Why?
  • Students will then share and discuss the quotations they chose and responded to in small groups, using the  Save the Last Word for Me  strategy.
What characteristics do you want to add to the identity chart for the United States? Are there any you want to remove? How has your thinking about the national identity of the United States evolved? What did you learn from each other in your discussions? What ideas from your discussions especially resonated with you?
  • If possible, keep the identity chart visible in the classroom throughout the year. The class can return to it and discuss ways they might revise it based on what they learn about the United States throughout the course.
  • 1 Eric Liu, “ What Every American Should Know ,” The Atlantic , July 3, 2015.
  • Reading What Does It Mean to “Be American?”
  • Teaching Strategy Save the Last Word for Me

Materials and Downloads

Quick downloads, download the files, get files via google, explore the materials, american id: three words.

essay topics on national identity

Shifting Demographics in the United States

What does it mean to “be american”, connecting to the past.

My Part of the Story Assessment Ideas

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Home / Essay Samples / Sociology / Identity / National Identity

National Identity Essay Examples

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