Academic Vocabulary

Genre conventions The essential features and format that

characterize a specific genre

Literary TermsConnotation feelings or ideas associated

with a wordEpigraph a phrase, quotation, or poem

that is set at the beginning of a document or component

Coherence Quality of being logical and consistent

Grammar: Using language to create specific effects

semi colons Two most common uses1. Separate items in a series

when the items contain commas

2. separate closely related independent clauses without

a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS)

Analogies Express relationships between meanings of words*pay attention to consistencies in

parts of speech

** Look for how the authors uses semicolons and analogies and address this when responding to the “does”

Most people do things that make them happy. for some it’s sports, for

others, it may by reading or hanging out with friends.

1.What makes you happy?2.What do you think the pursuit of

happiness is?3.Why did the authors of the

Declaration declare the pursuit of happiness a right?

4.What happens when one person’s pursuit of happiness is in conflict with another person’s?

How was the

Enlightenment a

response to Puritanism?

Just based on the name, what

do you think Romanticism is about? What

might they be looking to change?

RomanticismTranscende

ntalismGothici

sm

Into the Wild

Summarize your

inferences regarding his

values

Summarize what you think Transcendentali

st views are based on the

epigraph

Summarize your initial reactions

Do these ideas still resonate today? Explain.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Educated at Harvard University, Ralph Waldo Emerson was the chief founder of the Transcendentalist movement. Fueled by strong optimism and the belief in the importance of the individual, Emerson helped to inspire social reforms in education, slavery, and the rights of women and Native Americans.

“Self-Reliance”

• Comment on the title• 1st Read– Circle for diction

• 2nd Read– Underline sentences that express main ideas

• 3rd Read– Comment and question

• 4th read– Complete says/does in your composition

book(remember semicolons and analogies)

Questions for Discussion

1. Discuss what Emerson is attempting to establish through the analogies in the first two paragraphs (farmer vs. shareholder)?

2. What is Emerson’s criticism of consistency?

3. What characteristics can we infer about the Transcendental view?

4. Discuss what Emerson suggests is necessary to pursuing happiness in life.

Grammar: Using language to create specific effects

Infinitive Phrases May function as nouns,

adjectives, or adverbs“To be great is to be misunderstood”

ConditionalMood An action or idea that is

dependent on a conditionif, would, could, might

Consolidate and compare quotes from the three texts you have examined relative to

the meaning and pursuit of happiness. Mark the log to show connections between ideas

expressed in the text.McCandless Emerson Thoreau

Characteristics of Transcendentalism According to…

Make of list of characteristics of Transcendentalism based off your inferences from “Self-Reliance”

Use this list to Generate a working definition of Transcendentalism and a preliminary list of benefits it seems to hold.

Henry David Thoreau

Well educated and brilliant, Henry David Thoreau defied expectations to live an uncommon life of reflection and simplicity. As an experiment to reconnect with nature and discover the meaning of life, he lived for two years in a cabin in the woods in Massachusetts. He wrote about his experiences in Walden, one of the most well-known works in American Literature.

Paragraphs 1, 2, 3 - Class

1st read: diction, main idea2nd read: comment/paraphrase 3rd read: figurative language, rhetorical

devicesSays/Does1. How does Thoreau’s text differ from

Emerson’s in par. 1 and 2?2. How does his approach shift in par. 3?3. Compare and contrast par. 3 with

Emerson’s text

Paragraphs 4 and 5 - Group

1st read: diction, main idea 2nd read: comment/paraphrase 3rd read: figurative language, rhetorical devices Says/Does1. In par. 3 and 4 Thoreau describes the importance of

morning. Pick two or three phrases or sentences that show he is talking about more than the literal morning; explain Thoreau’s thinking.

2. Like Emerson, Thoreau uses infinitive phrases for effect. Identify where he does so at the end of par. 3 and in par. 4 and 5. Then, craft your own statement about life using this pattern.

Paragraph 6 - group 1st read: diction, main idea 2nd read: comment/paraphrase 3rd read: figurative language, rhetorical devices Says/Does1. What is the connection between Emerson’s ideas of

‘self-reliance’ and Thoreau’s idea of living in the woods? Use a quote from each in formulating your answer.

2. Based on his description of the value of communication and news, how do you think Thoreau would feel about the role of the Internet and social media in modern life?

3. Explain Thoreau’s use of conditional mood.

Paragraphs 7, 8, and 9

1st read: diction, main idea2nd read: comment/paraphrase 3rd read: figurative language,

rhetorical devicesSays/Does

Writing Prompt #2

Summarize Thoreau’s criticisms of society. Consider especially paragraphs 6 and 7. Then identify a facet of modern society that Thoreau would object to, and explain why he would find it objectionable. Be sure to:– Focus on Thoreau’s general ideas, not his

specific details, by using a few key quotes to capture his voice and major claims.

– Present his ideas with an objective tone.– Include one infinitive phrase in your writing.

Consolidate and compare quotes from the three texts you have examined relative to

the meaning and pursuit of happiness. Mark the log to show connections between ideas

expressed in the text.McCandless Emerson Thoreau

Using syntax for rhetorical impact

• Thoreau uses antithesis to express contrasting ideas creating an effective and memorable statement.– EX: “We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us.”– see page 263 for other famous examples.

• Using antithesis can help you vary and engage your reader.

• write your own sentence or passage comparing two of the three authors (Emerson, Thoreau, and Mccandless). Use antithesis to express your comparison.

Researching Transcendentalism

You will work with your group to create a poster depicting Transcendentalism’s key beliefs. Consider the questions below, but you may revise, cut, or

add to the list of questions based on your work with Emerson and Thoreau.

• What is their view of God?• What are their values?• How do they define truth?• Do they have an optimistic or pessimistic view of life?• What are their views of work and worldly success?• What is their view of society?• Who is their authority?• What is their view of education?• Do they view man as inherently good, evil, or

somewhere in between?

Compiling a list of sources

Be sure to compile a list of your sources, both for specific quotes and for general ideas. Use a graphic organizer like the one below to collect your information. Each member should use a different source, using the most credible source you can find. (no Wikis, ask.com, about.com, blogs, sparknotes, cliffnotes, shmoop, enotes, gradesaver, etc.)

Source Information/citation

Interpretation Connections

Record pertinent information and include page numbers. Be sure to use quotation marks if it is a direct quote.

Question and comment on the facts presented. Imagine the people, the situation, the events surrounding the research facts.

Consider possible contemporary texts that express or link to the ideas presented in this source.

Citing Sources – You Must log as much of the following information for each source

Visit Owl.english.purdue.edu for list and citation

• Author and/or editor names (if available)• Article name in quotation marks (if applicable)• Title of the Website, project, or book in italics. (Remember that some

Print publications have Web publications with slightly different names. They may, for example, include the additional information or otherwise modified information, like domain names [e.g. .com or .net].)

• Any version numbers available, including revisions, posting dates, volumes, or issue numbers.

• Publisher information, including the publisher name and publishing date.

• Take note of any page numbers (if available).• Medium of publication.• Date you accessed the material.• URL (if required, or for your own personal reference; MLA does not

require a URL)

Final Product As a group, construct a poster synthesizing your

research. Find common information that needs to be incorporated

into your poster. Find specific quotes from sources that best articulate

this information – embed and cite as necessary. Your responses to the questions much demonstrate an

understanding of grammar concepts covered. (semicolons, antithesis, infinitives)

Create visuals to incorporate that help to express the basic beliefs of Transcendentalism.

Revise your definition of Trans. to reflect your research and information sharing with your peers.