Analyze Craft and Structure PDF

## Analyze Craft and Structure ### Development of Ideas An essay is a short work of nonfiction in which an author presents ideas on a specific topic. Often, an essay involves an open-ended exploration of ideas. Reading Emerson's essays, you may feel as if you are walking beside him as he convers...

## Analyze Craft and Structure ### Development of Ideas An essay is a short work of nonfiction in which an author presents ideas on a specific topic. Often, an essay involves an open-ended exploration of ideas. Reading Emerson's essays, you may feel as if you are walking beside him as he converses, continually discovering new connections. Through his explorations, Emerson elaborates a philosophical vision, or interpretation of humanity's situation in the world. To help readers see life from his perspective, he employs strategies such as these: * **Setting the Scene:** Emerson grounds his discussion in a shared experience – a walk in the woods, or a moment when one takes charge of one's life. * **Re-envisioning the Ordinary:** Starting from shared experience, Emerson transforms it, showing its larger implications. In "Nature," for example, he finds that a walk in the woods restores youth and connects him more deeply to the world. He re-envisions this walk as a journey into the infinite. * **Re-defining Words:** Emerson develops specific associations for key terms. In "Nature," for example, the term nature grows from a reference to fields and woods to include associations with the spirit. * **Finding Limits:** Emerson may reflect on how far his vision should extend. In "Nature," for example, he concludes that the power of nature to delight is not unlimited. ### Practice **Notebook** Work on your own to analyze Emerson's presentation of his vision in these two essays. Complete a chart like this one. Then, share and discuss your findings with your group. | **from NATURE** | **from SELF-RELIANCE** | |---|---| | **Summary of Vision** | **Summary of Vision** | | *humanity's relationship to nature* | *significance of being an individual* | | **References to Shared Experience** | **References to Shared Experience** | | **How the Shared Experience Reflects the Vision** | **How the Shared Experience Reflects the Vision** | | **Meanings and Associations of Key Terms** | **Meanings and Associations of Key Terms** | | *nature* | *self-reliance* | | *harmony* | *great men* | | | *manhood* | | | *society* | | | *conformity* | | | *consistency* | | **Limits/Lack of Limits** | **Limits/Lack of Limits** | *from Nature *from Self-Reliance 211*