Welcome to American Literature! American authors use their voices, their insight, and their honesty to capture the human spirit. With this in mind, this year we will embark on a chronological journey through the evolution of American Literature, noting the historical, literary, and artistic shifts from one era to the next. As we read this literature, you will have the opportunity to respond, research, and share your ideas through writing and speech. We have a lot of work to do, but together, I hope we will build a community of thoughtful readers and writers... and have some fun along the way!
This course presents a fast paced survey of American literature as a basis for study, discussion, and writing activities. In language study, the course focuses on vocabulary, grammar, and composition. It allows students to view the development of our country and hear American voices through a variety of texts. Both fiction and nonfiction pieces are not only read for comprehension, but analyzed for historical, societal, and literary implications. Persuasive, research, and response assignments expand students’ written communication, which is supported by intensive grammar and vocabulary study.
In this course, students will learn to work more efficiently and effectively, both independently and in small groups, as they analyze literature at a deeper, more intense level.