Your essay should:

• Clearly present your own viewpoint in a focused thesis statement
• Reference at least two specific passages or ideas from Self-Reliance as supporting evidence
• Analyze how Emerson employs rhetorical strategies (like aphorisms, analogies, and appeals to nature) to strengthen his argument
• Address a counterargument and either refute or complicate it
• Conclude by reflecting on the relevance of Emerson's philosophy in today's world

Guiding Questions to Consider Before Writing

Suggested length: 4–6 paragraphs | Recommended for AP Language & Composition or college-level survey courses

• What does Emerson mean when he says "imitation is suicide"? Do you agree with this perspective?
• How does Emerson describe the relationship between the individual and society? Is this conflict resolvable?
• Is it possible for self-reliance to coexist with a sense of community responsibility and social obligation?

Write a well-organized essay in which you

Your essay should develop a clear, defensible thesis and substantiate it with close textual evidence taken directly from Self-Reliance.

> Suggested length: 4–6 paragraphs (AP) or 800–1,200 words > Reminder: Avoid summarizing the plot. Concentrate on how Emerson constructs meaning and why his choices are significant.

• Identify and analyze at least two specific rhetorical or literary strategies Emerson employs (e.g., aphorism, extended metaphor, allusion, anaphora) to bolster his main argument about individualism and nonconformity.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of Emerson's argument: How well does his perspective on self-reliance serve as a practical and ethical way of living? Are there areas where his reasoning may fall short or oversimplify the complexities of life?
• Connect Emerson's ideas to a broader context — this could be a historical period, another piece of literature, or a contemporary issue — to assess whether his Transcendentalist principles still hold significance today.