Prompt:
This essay asks you to define notions of the individual and examine how ideas about the “Individual” have functioned to structure the “American Experience.” In this essay, you will consider how ideas about individuality have developed in relation to the development of the U.S. In examining this relationship, you may consider the individual’s responsibility to their community, their family, or their country; the individual’s relationship to the government; the individual’s personal rights; how notions of the individual interact with ideas of freedom; or any other broad connections that seem pertinent. For this essay, you will use Thoreau, Emerson, and Douglass as your texts. Grounding your essay in these texts, please examine how thinkers have defined the responsibilities of the individual in the U.S., and how these definitions have shaped their understandings of “Americanness.” Your essay should attempt to synthesize the three texts that you choose, developing a conclusion about the function of the individual that emerges from viewing the three texts you choose in conjunction. Your thesis should state a claim that you have inferred from your close engagement with the texts about how notions of the ‘individual’ have functioned.
Purpose:
This is an argumentative essay, meaning that you should pose, and then support, a clear argumentative claim that answers the prompt. The three texts (Thoreau, Emerson, and Douglass) will support your claims. This essay does not ask for your personal opinion or outside research.
You will want to consider the following:
How have these authors experienced Individuality similarity or differently?
How is the historical context for each of these texts similar or different?
Why does this view of the Individual matter? What purpose does it serve?
What are the stakes of the argument you are making? Why does it matter? (this is important)
You are only allowed to use the 3 texts given. Use quotes when citing.
For in-text citations, type: (Thoreau Page #), (Emerson Page #), and (Douglass Page #)
Do not worry about the works cited page, I could take care of that.
