Americans over the years of existence have adapted well to radical changes around the world. Technology, independence, and social equality are some of the different concepts that the United States has adapted and developed to become a more unified country. Our nation believes that it is exceptional compared to other countries in the world. As evidenced by the popular reference to America as the “shining city on a hill.” The term “American exceptionalism” comes from the ideals held by many Americans throughout history. Several people have analyzed American exceptionalism through multiple literary devices. Works such as A Model of Christian Charity, What is an American, and Acres of Diamonds illustrate the sentiment that America is incomparable to any other country through different approaches. In contrast, Democracy in America and How the Other Half Lives are two documents that argue against this theory through harsh but telling observations. Since the time of European settlement, Americans have seen themselves as the epitome of the perfect civilization. The works of Winthrop, Crevecoeur and Conwell can support this concept. John Winthrop emphasizes the importance of America maintaining moral values ​​because of their position as a perfect society in his piece, A Model of Christian Charity, “For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill, the eyes of all people are upon us” (Winthrop, 20). The belief that Americans are so important that everyone else analyzes their actions supports the idea of ​​American exceptionalism. By emphasizing the connection of morality with this high position, Winthrop indicates that exceptionalism is conditional. For America to maintain its place in the... center of the map... of the exceptional country. As with other authors, the thought that America classifies itself as exceptional is shameful to the way the country actually works. These different people have analyzed American exceptionalism through multiple literary tools throughout history. Works Cited Winthrop, John. "A model of Christian charity". Five hundred years. Casper and Davis. 1630.Crevecoeur, Hector St. John de. “What is an American?” Five hundred years. Casper and Davis. 1782.Conwell, Russell H.. "Acres of Diamonds." Five hundred years. Casper and Davis. 1862.Tocqueville, Alexis de. "Democracy in America." Five hundred years. Casper and Davis. 1835.Riis, Jacob. "How the other half lives." Five hundred years. Casper and Davis. 1890.Ferguson, Andrew. “Are Americans Hidden Statesmen?” Weekly Standard, 9 August 2010. Web. 7 December 2010.