Alee Cotton



A few reminders: Use your essay tips and reminders handout!Pay attention to verb tense. Literary present tense is correct.Academic writing should use third person. Avoid “I” (first person) and “you” (second person).Proofread carefully. You may have great ideas, but if I can’t follow your thinking then I can’t give you a good grade!See me for help BEFORE the CSA is due. The following sample includes an introduction, one body paragraph, a conclusion, and a works cited page. It uses The Hunger Games instead of Ender’s Game or Divergent, so it won’t “steal” any of your ideas. Remember that your essay will need at least three body paragraphs.Alee CottonMrs. CottonEnglish 1129 September 2014Prevailing IndividualismIn a modern story, a young girl bravely takes her sister’s place in a fight to the death. She is scared, but knows she stands a better chance of survival than her frail sister. Her community is shocked by her decision to volunteer, but the young girl sees no alternative. She will fight, she will use her mind, and she will try to stay alive.Americans value individualism. This value is evident in contemporary popular culture, but it was not always so widespread. Prior to the transcendental movement, American thinkers primarily preached conformity. Ralph Waldo Emerson changed all of that. Frustrated with society and influenced by romantic ideas, Emerson wrote “Self Reliance” to encourage others to think for themselves. In a society filled with conformity and social obligations, Emerson’s ideas were fresh and unique. Other writers were inspired by his thoughts, and “Self Reliance” is now considered the cornerstone of transcendentalism. The ideas spread at that time are still a part of our society today. Key ideas in Emerson’s “Self Reliance” include individualism, being open to sharing new ideas, and avoiding conformity. These critical beliefs are also seen in The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Individualism is central to self reliance. C = claim Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games thinks as an individual in many situations. She is a very Emersonian character, as Emerson believes that people should trust themselves above all else. S = set-up This parallel is evident very early in The Games. Haymitch, Katniss’s mentor, warns her not to approach the cornucopia. Katniss, however, believes getting the bow is worth the risk. She bravely runs for the bow and narrowly escapes with her life. Q = quote Emerson writes, “Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string” (114). T = tie-in Both Emerson and Katniss believe in the importance of self reliance.Both Emerson and Katniss are influential because of their devotion to self reliance. They share many similar beliefs. In Emerson’s “Self Reliance” and The Hunger Games, individualism, sharing unique ideas, and avoiding conformity are encouraged. These prominent thinkers, one historical and one fictional, bravely share their beliefs about the power of the individual and set examples with their own lives. Just as Emerson challenged early Americans to be themselves, modern writers continue to encourage self reliance. The young girl who bravely risked her own life to protect her sister was able to use her individual intellect to protect herself.Works CitedEmerson, Ralph Waldo. Self Reliance. “Self Reliance and Other Essays.” The Hunger Games. Dir Gary Ross. Lionsgate, 2012. ................
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