American Studies: Writing a Rough Draft
American Studies Research: "How a Particular American Contributed to American Society" or
"How an Event Influenced American History"
Topic: Benjamin Franklin
Possibilities for a Focused Topic: Statesmen, Orator, Inventor, Scientist, Printer, and Educator
Focused Topic: Franklin as Educator
Thesis: Benjamin Franklin made an important contribution to the growth of American education
and Philadelphia’s history by founding the University of Pennsylvania, which offered a strong
curriculum in the humanities, prepared colonial leaders, and gave Philadelphia a strong
educational and cultural center.
Preliminary Questions/ Outline
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
Who was Benjamin Franklin? What was his background?
Why did he feel that Philadelphia needed a new school?
What was the original plan of the University of Pennsylvania? What was its
curriculum?
What impact did the University make on colonial society? What leaders were
trained there?
How did the University contribute to culture and education in Philadelphia?
What conclusions may be drawn about this achievement?
Sample Notes:
Susan Scholar #6
P
(Jones 50)
Need for University
B. F. saw educating as the most important task of a society.
B. F. felt that education is the best method of insuring a sound society.
Philadelphia lacked this type of tool.
PA did not have a college. MA had Harvard and VA had William and Mary.
Susan Scholar #18
DQ
(Smith 214)
Need for University:
B.F. wrote to his wife, Deborah:
"But how can a city flourish when there is no educational institution to prepare
tomorrow's leaders? It troubles me that Philadelphia is so sorely lacking."
Susan Scholar
#22
P
(Stevens 100)
Need for University
B.F. wrote to a friend that a university was needed to teach humanities and
languages. Primary goal of education should be the teaching of humanities.
Susan Scholar # 31
Need for University
S + DQ
(Davis and McGee 56)
Visited Harvard in June 1787.
Took extensive notes; talked with professors--did research. Harvard =
excellent in preparation of ministers.
B.F. was “unimpressed with Harvard’s language and humanities curriculum.” He felt
that Harvard did a “poor job” in these areas.
Plan of the Paper: What It Will Look Like
Paragraph 1 -- Introduction that includes a thesis statement.
Paragraph 2 -- Background info. Who was Benjamin Franklin?
Paragraph 3 (more if needed)-- Body. Why did he feel that Philadelphia needed a new school?
This will include: Franklin's interest in education, his desire to see languages and humanities
taught to young men, his comments about the need for a school in Philadelphia.
Paragraph 4 (more if needed) -- Body. What was the original plan of U. of P.? This will
include: the original name "Academy of Philadelphia," curriculum strong in humanities, student
body, physical setting.
Paragraph 5 (more if needed)-- Body. What impact did the University make?
This will include: occupations for which students were prepared, early research conducted at the
Academy, impact on Philadelphia, Academy as a model for other universities, growth into major
university, famous students who attended.
Paragraph 6 – Body. What is the lasting influence of Franklin’s university? What obstacles did
he overcome in establishing the school?
Para. 7 -- Conclusion Summary of Franklin's achievements.
-- Summarize and draw conclusions. Restate (not repeat) the thesis.
Sample Introductory Paragraphs:
Funnel Style 1: Topic as One of Many Examples of..
Colonial America was populated with some of the greatest minds America's history has
ever known. People such as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Thomas Paine, and George
Washington each made an impact on the direction that this country took. The most outstanding
of this group, however, was Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin contributed to the growth of
American education by founding the University of Pennsylvania, which offered a strong
curriculum in the humanities, prepared colonial leaders, and gave Philadelphia a strong
educational and cultural center.
OR
Funnel Style 2: Developing an Aspect of a Complex Topic
Benjamin Franklin was a man of many talents. As a statesman, he served as America's
ambassador to France; as a master inventor, he contributed to the growth and refinement of
American technology. Other notable achievements were in the fields of oratory, printing, and
publishing. It was in the area of education that Franklin made a particularly long-lasting
achievement. Benjamin Franklin contributed to the growth of American education by founding
the University of Pennsylvania, which offered a strong curriculum in the humanities, prepared
colonial leaders, and gave Philadelphia a strong educational and cultural center.
Sample body paragraph:
Benjamin Franklin, as he came to know the city of Philadelphia, became increasingly
frustrated that it lacked an institution for higher learning. He pointed out that both Massachusetts
and Virginia established schools during the 17th Century. Franklin wrote to his wife, Deborah,
"But how can a city flourish when there is no educational institution to prepare tomorrow’s
leaders? It troubles me that Philadelphia is so sorely lacking" (Smith 214). His frustration grew
to the point where he decided to take some action; he made a trip to Harvard in June, 1787.
While Franklin was there, he visited with professors, took detailed notes, and talked with many
students. Although he was impressed with Harvard's success in the field of ministry, Franklin
felt that the university did a “poor job” in the teaching of languages and the humanities (Davis
and McGee 56). He wrote to a friend that the primary goal of education should be the teaching
of humanities, and Stevens observes that he hoped to establish an institution which did just that
(100). Franklin's observations at Harvard helped shape his planning for the University of
Pennsylvania.
Sample concluding paragraph:
Thus, when Benjamin Franklin founded the University of Pennsylvania, he achieved two
great feats: he gave Philadelphia a much-needed school of higher education, and he provided
America with a powerful example of what a university could and should be. Even today, Penn is
a cornerstone of Philadelphia's cultural and academic life and one of the nation's most respected
colleges.
Remember: TS, DR, CS in each paragraph. Create a strong “narrative thread.”
Sample running acknowledgements: