Becki Reibman Block 1 There are some ideas that are universal, no matter how long ago theywere first put into words. When these ideas are expressed using persuasive techniques and strategies, become truly timeless. Emerson’s oration, The American Scholar, exemplifies this. In this essay, Emerson persuades the reader that a student, in order to be a true American Scholar, must combine learning from nature, books, and experience. He uses a tone appropriate to his audience, employs the use of any number of persuasive techniques, and divides his main argument into three concise and well-explained sections. Emerson’s first point of argument is the necessity of learning from nature. In this section of his oration, he upholds that in order to “Know thyself,” one must “Study nature.” According to Emerson, it is to nature--to the wind, to the grass, to flowers and trees--that one compares himself, and is thus able to discover attributes about himself. It is this comparison that Emerson uses to effectively persuade his point. Throughout this section, he emphasizes the similarity between the soul and nature; nature’s laws are similar to the actions of a thinker. “Nature is the opposite of the soul,” Emerson says, implying that they mirror each other and one springs from the other. In the second division of the argument, Emerson details the importance of books, or the past. He begins with saying that we must use books to learn from the learnings of the past. However, he asserts that books must be used with precaution. “Books are the best of things, well used; abused, among the worst,” Emerson says. The chiastic approach to this quote places the word ‘worst’ at the end of the sentence, thus emphasizing this word in particular. In this section, Emerson also foreshadows his third point; “Meek which Cicero. which he uses to expand upon the similarity of nature and the soul originally mentioned in the first point of his argument. in desire and satiety.” This repetition of structure emphasizes the opposites of each example. The third influence of the mind that Emerson discusses is action.” that one must read but always look forward. in the ebb and flow of the sea. Additionally. further explaining the idea of undulation in nature.young men grow up in libraries. he says. Emerson discusses the duties of a scholar to combine them. and that how dangerous wrong reading is. when he says.” he says. calamity. in heat and cold. or anaphora. He again uses metaphor stating that. comparing the formulation of thought from actions and events to the metamorphosis of a caterpillar to a butterfly. Action.” He goes on to say that thought comes from action and that all one knows in life is from experience. “Life is our dictionary. correct reading is that much more important. in day and night.” meaning that to fully understand something and be wise about it. exasperation. are instructors in eloquence and wisdom. In summarizing these three influences on the mind. setting the audience up for the argument that one must pursue experience as well as books and nature. Emerson argues about the “right way of reading. Emerson uses an effective metaphor in the section. when they wrote these books. that shows itself in the inspiring and expiring of breath. one must experience it. He stresses the importance of learning from these . Locke. “Drudgery.” Another technique Emerson uses in this section is parallel structure. which Locke. want. have given. is essential and “Inaction is cowardice. Through the rest of the section. He argues that. which Bacon. “That great principle of Undulation in nature. and Bacon were only young men in libraries. believing it their duty to accept the views. forgetful that Cicero. but also trusting oneself and not being afraid to be a non-conformist. examples that pertain to his audience. . Using literary devices. and an overall effective use of language.influences. Emerson combines many universal ideas to create the uniform and timeless idea of the American scholar.