Reflect upon the reading, do more research, and compose a 700-word formal academic essay on ONE of these topics: Topic 6 – American Nationalism and Whitman:
Define American Nationalism as it was viewed in Whitman’s time. Show how “I Hear America Singing” could be a symbol of this type of Nationalism.
Poem to analyze: “I Hear America Singing” by Walt Whitman.
Requirements:
- Essay length: 700-800 words.
- Total number of sources on works cited page: Minimum of 3
- Total number of in-text citations from a source other than the text using either a signal phrase or a parenthetical citation: 4-6
- Total number of textual references or quotes: 3-5
Tips:
- Your introductory paragraph should accomplish the following:
- Introduce the author and the title of the work or works being discussed.
- Brief biographical information about the author.
- Clearly stated thesis introducing the topic and presenting your main points.
- Body paragraphs should develop the thesis statement using transitional sentences to move from one section to the next.
- Review the MLA module and make sure all of your citations are in proper MLA format.
- Make sure the only sources listed on the works cited page are sources that you have actually cited from in the paper itself.
- Make sure the works cited page is in alphabetical order using proper formatting.
Struggling with where to start this essay? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!
Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Your 700–800 Word Essay on Whitman and American Nationalism:
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Understand the Prompt:
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Your focus is American Nationalism during Whitman’s era.
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Analyze “I Hear America Singing” as a symbol of this nationalism.
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Ensure essay length is 700–800 words.
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Research and Take Notes:
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Read the poem carefully; identify themes, imagery, and tone.
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Research American Nationalism in the mid-1800s.
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Find at least 2–3 scholarly sources beyond the poem to support your points.
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Take notes with quotes and page numbers for citations.
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Draft an Outline:
Introduction (1 paragraph)
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Introduce Walt Whitman (birth, major works, influence).
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Introduce “I Hear America Singing”.
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Define American Nationalism in the 19th century.
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Thesis statement: Example—“In ‘I Hear America Singing’, Whitman celebrates the contributions of ordinary Americans, reflecting a vision of nationalism based on democratic values, cultural unity, and civic participation.”
Body Paragraphs (3–5 paragraphs)
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Paragraph 1: Explain American Nationalism in Whitman’s time (historical context, democratic ideals).
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Paragraph 2: Analyze how the poem highlights individual workers and daily life; include 1–2 textual references.
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Paragraph 3: Discuss how collective voices in the poem symbolize unity and national pride; include 1 textual reference.
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Paragraph 4 (optional): Connect Whitman’s vision of nationalism to broader cultural and political movements of the time; include scholarly source citations.
Conclusion (1 paragraph)
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Summarize how the poem reflects 19th-century American Nationalism.
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Emphasize Whitman’s democratic and inclusive vision.
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Suggest the lasting cultural impact of his nationalism.
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Writing Tips:
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Use transitional phrases like “Furthermore,” “In addition,” or “This demonstrates…” to maintain flow.
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Include 3–5 quotes from the poem and 4–6 in-text citations from your other sources.
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Make sure each body paragraph supports your thesis.
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MLA Formatting Checklist:
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Times New Roman, 12 pt font, double-spaced.
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1-inch margins all around.
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In-text citations: (Author Last Name page #) or signal phrases like According to Smith….
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Works Cited page at the end in alphabetical order with only cited sources.
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Revise and Proofread:
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Check grammar, spelling, and sentence clarity.
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Ensure all quotes and citations are correctly formatted in MLA.
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Confirm essay length is within 700–800 words.
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Submit:
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Save as Word or PDF file with your name and essay title (e.g., JaneDoe_Whitman_Nationalism.docx).
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Double-check that all in-text citations match your Works Cited page.
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Suggested Resources for Your Essay:
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Whitman, Walt. Leaves of Grass. Various editions.
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Kaplan, Justin. Walt Whitman: A Life. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1980.
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Reynolds, David S. Walt Whitman’s America: A Cultural Biography. Vintage, 1995.
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Online analysis: Poetry Foundation – I Hear America Singing
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