Transcendentalism WebQuest
You will be using your research skills to introduce yourself to the Transcendentalism movement and some of
its key members.
This assignment is divided into two portions:
Part 1: Transcendentalism (24 pts - Due by the end of the day 11/16/11)
Save this file as “first initial last name Transcendental Philosophy” for example:
F Mulacek Transcendental Philosophy
A. Research the Transcendentalist movement and its key components. Answer each of the following
questions, making sure to cite your sources. Be sure to answer using your own words and quote small
sections of text-- no cut and pasting or plagiarizing!
1. Define the term “transcendentalism.” (2 pts)
2. Describe some of the circumstances which led to the development of the transcendentalist philosophy.
Include at least two specific events or philosophies which contributed to the development of
transcendentalism and explain the influence of those events. (10 pts)
3. Describe at least 4 key philosophies or beliefs of transcendentalism. (8 pts)
4. Describe at least 2 “legacies” of transcendentalism. How has transcendentalist thought helped to shape
American history and who we are as Americans? (4 pts)
B. Type your answers and turn them into your class in the “Mr. Mulacek” shared folder on the s: drive.
Part 2: Transcendentalist Writers (48 pts - Due by the end of the day 11/22/11)
Save this file as “first initial last name Transcendental PowerPoint” for example:
F Mulacek Transcendental PowerPoint
Pick a Transcendentalist writer to research.
A. Research your author on at least three different websites and gather biographical information (each must
be included):
1. Birth/death
2. Education
3. Early Life
4. Later Life
5. Accomplishments/Awards
6. How they were influenced by and/or influenced Transcendentalist movement
B. Compile the biographical information into a PowerPoint presentation to present to the class. The
PowerPoint needs to be a minimum of 30 slides with each slide having an appropriate graphic that
corresponds with the theme of the presentation. Effort should be made to keep each slide under 35 words.
Use more slides as opposed to more words. Make sure to cite your sources. Be sure to describe it using
your own words -- no cut and pasting or plagiarizing!
C. Present your PowerPoint presentation to the class.
Transcendentalism WebQuest
Part 2: PowerPoint Rubric
Research your chosen Transcendentalist writer. Create a PowerPoint presentation which includes the
biographical information on your author required for Part 2.
Please make sure to explain your answers clearly and fully. Don’t forget to cite the sources of your quotes and
other research! The answers will be graded using the following rubric:
CONTENT
(36 pts.)
WRITING
CONVENTIONS/
ORGANIZATION
(12 pts.)
Awesome!
My presentation
addresses all of the
required biographical
pieces. (6)
Could be better…
My presentation
addresses most of the
required biographical
pieces. (3)
Revise
My presentation does not
address most of the
required biographical
pieces. (1)
My entire presentation is
focused and on-topic. (6)
Most of my presentation is
focused and on-topic. (3)
My presentation is offtopic and rambles. (1)
My presentation includes
accurate details to
support my claims. (6)
My presentation includes details
to support my claims, although
they may be vague, illogical, or
not clearly connected to the
main idea. (3)
My presentation does not
provide details to support my
claims; or, my supporting
details are incorrect. (1)
My presentation makes
the essential connections
for my audience, linking
my examples to the main
idea. (6)
My presentation makes
some of the essential
connections for my
audience. (3)
My presentation makes none
of the essential connections
for my reader, assuming my
audience can follow my
thought process. (1)
Overall, my presentation
convinces my audience
that I understand the
content. (6)
Overall, my presentation
usually convinces my
audience that I understand
the content. (3)
Overall, my presentation
does not convince my
audience that I understand
the content. (1)
All of my slides contain
appropriate graphics. (6)
Many of my slides
contain appropriate
graphics. (3)
Few if any of my slides
contain appropriate
graphics. (1)
My presentation is clearly
written in complete and
punctuated sentences.
There are few distracting
errors. (6)
My presentation is usually
written clearly, with
complete and punctuated
sentences. A few errors may
distract the reader. (3)
My presentation is
confusing to read; I wrote in
fragments, failed to include
punctuation, or my errors
consistently distract my
reader. (1)
I clearly and correctly
cite the text. (6)
I try to cite the text, but
my citation is not
complete or is incorrect.
(3)
I do not cite the text. (1)