American Studies
Social Studies First Semester Tutorial #1/Seemueller
The American Revolution and the years immediately after have helped to define the United States. In
your tutorial, you will need to focus on a major historical figure, document or institution, do research on
them/it, and then write a tutorial discussing at least one of the following:
1) Their actions and views during the revolution (or, in the case of a document, its ideological ties to
the revolution);
2) Their actions and views in the years immediately following the revolution (or, in the case of a
document, its ideological ties to the debate following the revolution), and;
3) Discussing how they/it helped to shape the enduring ideas of the United States (their/its relevance
to today).
IN ADDITION, your persuasive essay should clearly argue with documented evidence how this
person, document, or institution affected and/or reflected attitudes in the United States, then or now. The
4-5 page essay (typed, double-spaced) must include specific, cited references from at least two sources
that are either books or academic articles (that you research using SIRS or Proquest or another
subscription-based database approved by me, NOT Encarta, Wikipedia, etc.). Additional sources from
class may be used. A list of possible topics follows (if you choose a focus not on the list, clear it with me).
Tutorial Schedule Due Dates:
 Your typed thesis statement and outline are due Friday, October 31st (10 pts.).
 Your typed rough draft of your paper is due Friday, November 7th (10 pts.).
 Your final paper is due Friday, November 14th. Be sure to also turn in each of the above parts
and submit your paper to turnitin.com (100pts).
NOTE: Work for the tutorial must be typed, double-spaced (12 pt. Times New Roman font) and in MLA
format. Your draft should be a complete written paper. Parenthetical citations and a Works Cited page are
required on the draft and the final paper. (MLA format, citations and Works Cited page are not needed
when turning in your thesis statement and outline. However, they must be typed.)
Here are some possible topics to look into:
Individuals
Institutions/Documents
John Locke
The Declaration of Independence
George Washington
The Constitutional Convention
John Adams
The Federalist Papers
Abigail Adams
The Articles of Confederation
Thomas Jefferson
The Supreme Court
Samuel Adams
Congress
Thomas Paine
The American Presidency
Benjamin Franklin
First Amendment to the Constitution
Daniel Shays
Continental Army
James Madison
Sons of Liberty
Alexander Hamilton
American Studies
Fall English Tutorial 1
The Scarlet Letter and Transcendentalism
Option 1- Opposites Attract
Whether it is lightness vs. darkness or love vs. hate, Hawthorne brings up a number of examples
concerning the concept of dualities throughout The Scarlet Letter. What are the implications of addressing
the concept of duality in the novel? Pick one to several duality issues and discuss how and why
Hawthorne develops these issues throughout the novel.
Option 2- Clearing the Air
One of the ideas we looked at with The Scarlet Letter is Hawthorne’s writing style and his use of
ambiguity throughout the piece. As you revisit the novel, discuss how and why Hawthorne develops this
writing style. In other words, what is the significance of using ambiguity throughout the novel? Develop
an arguable thesis that addresses this issue and support with evidence from the text.
Option 3- Appearances Can Be Misleading
In Kate Chopin's The Awakening (1899), protagonist Edna Pontellier is said to possess “that outward
existence which conforms, the inward life which questions.” Using The Scarlet Letter, identify a character
who conforms outwardly while questioning inwardly. Then write an essay in which you analyze how this
tension between outward conformity and inward questioning contributes to the meaning of the work.
Avoid mere plot summary. (From the 2005 AP Literature test)
Option 4- Going Beyond Their Time
Write a critique of Emerson or Thoreau's ideas from one of their essays we've read. Explain your own
response to Emerson or Thoreau's views. Evaluate which of their views are most significant in today’s
world and which are not. Questions to consider (but not limited to): Are any of their ideas dated to their
time? Is there a place for their ideas in contemporary times? Why or why not?
Option 5- Two Styles, One Nation
Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson both revolutionized poetry, though in different ways. Compare and
contrast the two poets' styles. Pay special attention to the subjects the poets explored and the literary
techniques they employed. Your essay should include references to specific poems as well as a careful
analysis of how the literary techniques employed function in the poem.
Option 6- The Transcendent Letter
Would you define The Scarlet Letter as a reflection of the transcendentalist ideas of Emerson and
Thoreau? How do you specifically see Hawhtorne’s novel as being influenced by transcendentalism? Are
there any aspects of the novel that seem to refute or criticize transcendentalism?
Requirements:
-point font
-5 pages in length
Due Dates:
rd -
Thesis statement and outline DUE (Must be typed)
Rough Draft DUE (Must be typed)
th – Final Draft DUE ~ turn in the above parts and submit your tutorial to Turnitin.com
th -