Speech Topic

Post the topic for your speech in the comments section and write one paragraph (6-10 sentences) describing what you are going to write about.

Past Proctor Speeches

Listen to Helen Denning's Assembly Speech (Check out her current blog, The Buson's Boots), and Slyvie Bertrand and Cortand Begor's Hays Speeches, then write a 6-10 sentence response describing your reaction to either Cortland's, Sylvie's, and or Denning's speeches. Pay attention to what works. What makes the speech you choose to write about a really good speech?



Sylvie Bertrand (now a sophomore ski racer at Brown University):


Cortland Begor (now a freshman at Dartmouth College & founder of TimberStix):

Hays Speech Topic Ideas

Please post TWO topic ideas for your Hays Speech in the comments section below. This is an initial brainstorm for topics and is meant to help everyone see the possible topics that might be available to write about. You are not bound to give your speech on one of these topics.

Hay's Speech Blog Post

After watching the Matt Nathanson, David Foster Wallace, and Steve Jobs commencement speeches, please pick out and respond to one quotation from one of the speeches in 6-10 sentences. When responding, you might choose to answer what makes this such a good line for a speech. (please try to not use quotations already in the comments section).

Study Blog Post

Study for test. Please post one study question on the American Literature Blog AND answer (or add to already posted answer) to one of your classmate's question. (To do so, you will have to REPLY to a COMMENT)

Would Emerson Approve of Proctor Academy?

As pairs, please post your carefully crafted thesis statements on the question, "Would Emerson approve of Proctor Academy?" in the comments section below.

Emerson: "American Scholar" Post

Would Emerson approve? In this blog response, I’d like you to look at Proctor Academy through the eyes of Emerson. How does the school both foster and hinder a Romantic/Transcendental outlook on life – through its classes, experiential programs, schedule, sports offerings, social life, rules, etc.? When writing this response, please pay particular attention to the central aspirations and beliefs that Emerson espouses in his essays “Nature,” “Self-Reliance,” and “The American Scholar.” Specifically, I want to you to describe two or more aspects of Proctor you think Emerson would approve of and at least one aspect that you think he would disapprove of. Overall, do you think Emerson would approve of Proctor Academy? Why or why not. (Please take some time to craft your response. Responses should be 10-20 sentences long, roughly two paragraphs. Please include at least two short quotations in your response to back up your points).