summary 3

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH: Subject with the issue followed by the Who, What, When, Where, and Why on Subject + Thesis w/Main Points

BODY PARAGRAPH: Full discussion of 1st Main Point w/Specific Example at least 3 sentences long

BODY PARAGRAPH: Full discussion of 2nd Main Point w/Specific Example at least 3 sentences long

CONCLUSION: Summarize the key elements of the essay and add any other relevant information

ISSUE with the SUBJECT: Giving to the Cancer Society of America

OPINION: should be discouraged because

MAIN POINTS: only 1% of the proceeds go to cancer patients and the society is a scam

SUBJECT: Attending Six Flags’ Fright Night

OPINION: is good because

MAIN POINTS: the haunted house is remarkable and the Halloween show is exceptionally entertaining

Lee Bee

English 1301

Lesson 4

October 22, 201?

Men in Rock

Mount Rushmore is a well-known iconic and patriotic monument in the Black Hills of South Dakota that has been visited by Americans for generations. Located at 13000 South Dakota Highway 244, Keystone, SD 57751, the Mount Rushmore National Memorial was the brainchild of South Dakota historian Doane Robinson who conceived the idea in 1923 to commemorate important individuals in American history. In 1924, Robinson persuaded sculptor Gutzon Borglum to take on the massive project and Borglum spent the rest of his life creating the gigantic granite heads of four American presidents who in turn represent four crucial eras of American history. The 60-foot heads are of George Washington (1732–1799), Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826), Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919), and Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865). Visiting the Mount Rushmore National Memorial should be encouraged because it helps Americans understand American history and appreciate Borglum’s extraordinary achievement.

American history is highlighted in this colossal rock formation. The most prominent head is that of George Washington who is honored for his crucial leadership in the American Revolution and as the 1st President of the United States. Thomas Jefferson is rightly next to Washington for his role in authoring the Declaration of Independence and serving as the third President. Abraham Lincoln holds the prominent position on the right side of the monument for saving the Union through the Civil War. And finally, Theodore Roosevelt is included among the other greats for his role in protecting America’s priceless natural treasures during the Progressive Era. These rocks have become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. Doane Robinson wanted them to promote South Dakota tourism and his wish has certainly come true. “Doane’s tourism plan worked. Nearly three million people visit Mount Rushmore each year. And its popularity never seems to decrease” (Trex).

When tourists come to visit this Shrine of Democracy in South Dakota, they rarely pause to contemplate the enormous contribution of its sculptor Gutzon Borglum. Borglum was the child of Danish polygamist Mormon immigrants and his father was a country doctor in Nebraska. In 1923 Borglum started work on a Confederate memorial on Stone Mountain near Atlanta. It was to show huge images of Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, and 'Stonewall' Jackson. Eventually Borglum came into conflict with the Confederate Memorial officials so he destroyed his models and left to start on the Mount Rushmore project. Beginning his work on Mount Rushmore in 1925, he continued to work on the monument when weather permitted until his death in 1941. A small inkling of Borglum’s struggle on this project may be seen in the following citation. “Borglum started blasting rock in 1927. Federal financing in 1929 helped, but the sculpture was still a financial drain. When asked in 1940 about the cost, Borglum said ‘Call up Cheops and ask him how much his pyramid cost, and what he paid the creator — an inferior work to Mt. Rushmore’” (Peters).

On July 23, 1962 the first television satellite broadcast was made from the United States to Europe. The first image of that initial broadcast was of a Lakota Sioux man standing in front of Mount Rushmore. Nothing could better demonstrate how much this monument is seen as representing America. Along with the Statue of Liberty in New York and the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, Mount Rushmore holds a special almost mystical place in the hearts of Americans. It inspires patriotism and causes reflection on what America is and will become. With millions of visitors every year, Mount Rushmore promises to continue thrilling American throughout the ages until the images are finally worn down by time.

Works Cited

Peters, Chris. “The Omaha Boy Who Went On To Sculpt Mt. Rushmore.” Omaha World

Herald. October 9, 2009.

Trex, Ethan. “11 Essential Talking Points for Mount Rushmore Enthusiasts.” Mental

Floss . January 14, 2016.