1. Thoreau, Emerson, Fuller, Whitman, Alvarez: AP Language
Ms. Ehringhaus

2. The Art of the Essay
Two masters of the American essay in the 19th century were Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. They used the essay form to express their philosophies and personal views on a variety of topics, from the ideal lifestyle to the beauty of nature.
Using notes he recorded in his journals, Emerson created essays that gave his ideas structure and refined his concepts. In turn they became the cornerstone of transcendentalism, a literary and philosophical movement that emphasized individualism and intuition as a means to understanding reality.

3. Persuasive, Expository, Descriptive, Narrative
Find and record a definition for each, as well as an example of each type of essay. Read through the essay and record in your notes 3 separate places in the essay that make it a persuasive, expository, descriptive, or narrative.
*Use quotes, do an MLA citation for each essay!  told you this would help you with your paper!

4. Essay: Persuasive, Expository, Descriptive, Narrative
Persuasive: A persuasive essay is one in which you attempt to get the reader to agree with your point of view. You are trying to present arguments, research, and ideas in order to sway the reader one way or the other.
Expository: The expository essay is a genre of essay that requires the student to investigate an idea, evaluate evidence, expound on the idea, and set forth an argument concerning that idea in a clear and concise manner.

5. Essay: Persuasive, Expository, Descriptive, Narrative
Descriptive: A descriptive essay is a paper that describes a thing, event, process or person. It creates an evocative portrait of its topic in the reader's mind. Writing in this style gives the author ample creative autonomy with regard to content and format.
Narrative: Narrative essays use story telling elements to make their points. They look like short stories. Narrative essays don't have to be fiction; often, they depict real life events. Authors of narrative essays often use them to explore and find the meanings of important events in their own lives.

6. Elements of an Essay
Organization is the arrangement of the main ideas and supporting details. Some essays may be narratives that read like a story, while others may follow a strict pattern of organization, such as cause and effect or compare and contrast.
Supporting details include facts, opinions, reasons, sensory details, anecdotes, and examples that support the main idea.
Diction is the way a writer uses and arranges language.
Tone is the expression of a writer’s attitude toward a subject and may be described as various tonal words.

7. From Self Reliance and Nature
Emerson’s motto was “Trust Thyself.” This principle lies at the heart of transcendentalism, the intellectual movement that emphasized the dignity of the individual and advocated a simple, mindful life. Key tenets of the movement include
A theory that transcendent forms of truth exist beyond reason and experience; every individual is capable of discovery this truth on their own, through intuition
A conviction that people are inherently good and should follow their own beliefs
A believe that humankind, nature, and God are all interconnected

8. Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog (1818)
Caspar David Friedrich
What elements of transcendentalism are reflected in the painting?

9. What is Your Motto?
Emerson’s motto, “trust thyself,” distills the essence of the ideals expressed in his essays.
Create your own personal motto. To get started, consider the traits or resources that helped you solve a difficult problem, or the best advice you have ever received. Use your answers to develop a personal motto that is short and to the point.

10. Grammar and Style
Emerson adds detail and precision to his writing by using adjective clauses, which modify nouns or pronouns. In line 27 and lines 29-30, he uses adjective clauses beginning with who to describe certain people.
Find two adjective clauses in lines 37-48

11. Analyze Figures of Speech
Emerson uses figures of speech to create vivid images and express complex ideas. For example, in line 7 he uses a metaphor when he describes the woods as “plantations of God.” With a partner, analyze the figures of speech in Nature and Self-Reliance. Pay close attention to implied metaphors—those that suggest a comparison without directly stating it.
Be ready to share!

12. Making Judgments
Write your own Self-Reliance: How much should a person trust in themselves and how much should a person rely on others?
Include examples from your own life.