Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: American Literature by Morris Dickstein
This article by Morris Dickstein traces the history of American poetry, drama, fiction, and social and literary criticism from the early 17th century to the late 20th century. It includes a section for each century providing historical...
Other
Eng 223: American Literature Before 1865
Online syllabus for a college Pre-Civil War American Literature class with links to information about each class activity. These lessons contain some good teaching ideas and background information about a number of famous authors, much...
Washington State University
Washington State University: Timeline of American Literature and Events: 1820s
A timeline of political and social events and American literature. Part of a larger site. Hyperlinks to information about individual authors.
Virginia Commonwealth University
On American Romanticism: Definitions From a Handbook to Literature
This page, from A Handbook to Literature, provides a definition of Romanticism and identifies characteristics of the Romantic movement. Describes the Romantic Period in American literature and names major writers of the period.
Washington State University
Washington State University: Timeline of American Literature and Events: 1830s
A brief timeline which includes American literature and American historical events. Ranges from 1830 to 1839. Includes the first co-educational college, Oberlin College. Hyperlinks to various authors of the period.
African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: Wallace Thurman
This site includes the author's credits as an editor and playwright, a biography, and links to three of his books.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Gothic Undercurrents: Edgar Allan Poe
This biography features Edgar Allan Poe who introduced the genre of horror and mystery to literature in the nineteenth century with stories such as "The Raven."
Lumen Learning
Lumen: American Literature: Reader Response Criticism
This instructional activity focuses on reader-response literary criticism including the purpose of reader response, the structure of a reader-response essay, how to criticize with examples, and an example of a reader-response essay using...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Rhythms in Poetry: William Carlos William
This biography highlights author William Carlos Williams' contributions to American literature with emphasis on ordinary life and everyday language, particularly in his poetry. See "William Carlos Williams Activities" for related materials.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Becoming Visible: Bernard Malamud
Bernard Malamud is praised for his contributions to Jewish American literature in this brief biography. Click on "Bernard Malamud Activities" for related artifacts and activities.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Social Realism: Henry James
Henry James is the focus of this biography for his ability to write about how people deal with problems with attention drawn to Europeans versus Americans in the early twentieth century. See "Henry James Activities" for more resources.
Other
Short Story Library at American Literature: "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"
Full text of Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow". With links to other short stories by American writers.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Gothic Undercurrents: Nathaniel Hawthorne
Nathaniel Hawthorne is featured in this brief biography highlighting his Puritan family background which inspired his thought provoking writings of the nineteenth century. Click on "Nathaniel Hawthorne Activities" for related resources.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Rhythms in Poetry: Ezra Pound
Poet and mentor Ezra Pound is the focus of this brief biography highlighting his works and energy for new artistic movements of the early twentieth century. Click on "Ezra Pound Activities" for related materials.
African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: Dorothy West
This biography of Harlem Renaissance writer Dorothy West includes a video [2:42] of West in New York and links to book reviews for all of West's works.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Spirit of Nationalism: Thomas Jefferson
Arguably one of the most accomplished American in history, this brief biography features Thomas Jefferson and his written contributions to American literature. Click "Thomas Jefferson Activities" for related materials.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Langston Hughes: Hughes's Life and Career
Lengthy, detailed biography of Harlem Renaissance poet, Langston Hughes, from the Oxford Companion to African American Literature.
Digital History
Digital History: Creating a Distinctly American Culture
Truly American literature based on American legend, native scenes, and American culture began to find a place in the 1820s. Read about three of the American writers that introduced American literature to a reading public.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Becoming Visible: Gwendolyn Brooks
Writer Gwendolyn Brooks is presented in this biography for her contributions to African American literature. Click on "Gwendolyn Brooks Activities" for related artifacts and activities.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Becoming Visible: Ralph Ellison
Author Ralph Ellison is presented in this biography for his contributions to African American literature. See "Ralph Ellison Activities" for further information.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: The Search for Identity: Toni Cade Bambara
Toni Cade Bambara is featured in this brief biography for her ability to combine and advocate for both feminism and black minorities through her literature. See "Toni Cade Bambara Activities" for related resources.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Native Voices: Leslie Marmon Silko
Accomplished Native American author Leslie Marmon Silko is featured in this resource. Some of her writings include "Ceremony" and "Laguna Woman." Click on the "Leslie Marmon Silko Activities" tab for class activities and a collection of...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Becoming Visible: N. Scott Momaday
Relying on many elements, including traditional Native American and European American traditions, this biography features the rich literary contributions of N. Scott Momaday. See "N.Scott Momaday Activities" for more resources.
Indiana University
Iu: Literature as Lessons on the Diversity of Culture
Very scholarly article that looks at the role literature helps teach us about the diversity of our culture. The author looks at various aspects of literature and then gives teacher resources and a helpful bibliography.
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