Transcendentalism Paper

Today in class, begin working on your paper.  Try to plan out what you will write and aim to create a strong introduction.

Here is the TASK:

"Re-examine All You Have Been Told":  Emerson, Whitman and Thoreau

TASK: What are the central themes of American Transcendentalism?  After reading the writings of Emerson, Whitman, and Thoreau, write a synthesis essay 5-7 pages that defines and explains the central themes of American Transcendentalism.  Support your discussion with evidence from the texts you have read.  What implications can you draw from these readings that pertain to contemporary society?  (i.e. What relevance do these ideas have for the world today?)

1. So, what are the central themes of Transcendentalism? How would you DEFINE the themes of Emerson, Whitman and Thoreau?  Include this in your intro.

2. Which theme or possibly two themes can you relate to contemporary society?  FOCUS on this and make a CONNECTION between these writers, their ideas, and today's society.  Let this become your THESIS STATEMENT.

3. Now, for SUPPORT (and the majority of what you write in the paper), find appropriate QUOTES and EXAMPLES from the works you have studied that relate to your THESIS (and your thesis should be along the lines that these ideas are still RELEVANT today!)  Work YOUR OWN IDEAS around the supporting examples from the texts.  Remember to consider when these works were written and what America was like at the time (apply your American History here as well).  Are there any contemporary writers who echo the thoughts of the Transcendentalists?  You could include these contemporary writers as being influenced by the Transcendentalists as well.

4. Use the hand-outs you have received these past weeks (and hopefully, annotated or highlighted).  Also,
know that all of these essays, "Song of Myself," and Walden are online.  You can cut and paste and make a quote sheet from the internet!  Just be sure to also copy the weblink  for your MLA citations.  YES, this paper needs MLA citation and a Works Cited page.

5. For additional support and ideas, go to Shmoop.com or Spark notes or eNotes or Gradesaver.  All
of these Study Guide websites have information about the texts you have studied and may also provide you with more ideas for your paper.

6. Finally, print out your outline, notes, intro (whatever you have written this period)--OR send it to yourself.
Over the weekend, try to make more progress on your paper (yes I know many of you are performing or working on the production, but try!). Monday we will continue writing and conferring in class.

Oh, and break a leg, Hairspray cast! Have a great weekend...