i need to write a test paper on the scarlet letter using the quote:

The shrewd pick their way warily. The passionate are likely to stumble or go wrong, and "good intentions" have no bearing on the inevitable penalty, which often far exceeds the crime. This is hard, but, to the heroic in heart, no cause for despair. There is wisdom to be won from the fine hammered steel of woe; a flower to be plucked from the rosebush at the prison door "to relieve the darkening close of a tale of human frailty and sorrow,
and other writings from Emerson and Thoreau and connect in specific/detailed ways to Hester Prynne and Arthure Dimmesdale

You'll need to take each quotation you've been given and go through the book to find related passages. Then build your paper with these passages and quotations.

Here are some websites with information that may help:

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/literature.htm

http://nutsandbolts.washcoll.edu/
Use the list of contents on the left, especially the Effective quoting section under Evidence.

http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/index.html
All the sections in the first and second columns should be helpful, as well as the Literature link in the fourth column.

Please repost if you want help with your thesis and outline before writing your first draft. You may also repost if you want your first (or any) draft critiqued by someone here.

=)

haha i need help with my thesis and outline please. i am sooo lost. thanks =)

To connect the quote you provided from "The Scarlet Letter" to the writings of Emerson and Thoreau, and to relate them to the characters Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale, you will need to analyze the themes and ideas present in the story and the works of Emerson and Thoreau.

Here's a step-by-step approach to help you develop your test paper on this topic:

1. Read and analyze the quote: Begin by examining the quote you provided. Identify the key themes and ideas it presents, such as shrewdness, passion, good intentions, inevitable penalty, heroic hearts, wisdom from woe, and the concept of human frailty and sorrow.

2. Analyze Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale: Explore the characters of Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale in "The Scarlet Letter." Consider their actions, motivations, and the consequences they face. Look for instances where the quote's themes and ideas align with their experiences.

3. Read Emerson's and Thoreau's works: To connect the quote to Emerson and Thoreau's writings, read their works that touch upon similar themes. Look for passages or ideas that resonate with the quote and the characters in "The Scarlet Letter." For example, Emerson's ideas of self-reliance and individualism or Thoreau's concepts of nature and civil disobedience may provide insights.

4. Identify connections and comparisons: Once you have a good understanding of the quote, the characters, and the works of Emerson and Thoreau, brainstorm the connections and comparisons. Consider the characters' experiences in light of the ideas expressed by Emerson and Thoreau. How do their actions align with or contradict the quote and the philosophies of these writers? Look for specific examples and evidence to support your analysis.

5. Develop an outline and thesis statement: Organize your ideas by creating an outline for your test paper. Your thesis statement should reflect your analysis and connect the quote, characters, and works of Emerson and Thoreau. For example, your thesis might suggest how Hester Prynne's shrewdness aligns with Emerson's concept of self-reliance or how Arthur Dimmesdale's passion leads to his downfall, reflecting Thoreau's ideas of individual conscience.

6. Write the paper: Using your outline and thesis statement, write your test paper. Use clear and concise language to convey your analysis, making sure to provide textual evidence to support your claims. Include specific quotes from "The Scarlet Letter" and the works of Emerson and Thoreau to strengthen your argument.

7. Revise and edit: After completing the first draft, revise and edit your paper for clarity, coherence, and grammar. Make sure your arguments flow logically and that you have addressed the prompt and provided a comprehensive analysis.

Remember, this step-by-step guide is just a starting point, and you should adapt it to your own writing style and the specific requirements of your test paper. Good luck with your assignment!