Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Rhythms in Poetry: William Carlos William

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Website
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Gothic Undercurrents: Edgar Allan Poe

For Students 9th - 10th
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."
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Rhythms in Poetry: Ezra Pound

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Activity
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Langston Hughes: Hughes's Life and Career

For Students 9th - 10th
Lengthy, detailed biography of Harlem Renaissance poet, Langston Hughes, from the Oxford Companion to African American Literature.
Activity
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Claude Mc Kay's Life

For Students 9th - 10th
A concise and in-depth biography of the American poet known as Claude McKay (1890-1948 CE). McKay was one of the key members of The Harlem Renaissance Movement.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Rhythms in Poetry: Langston Hughes

For Students 9th - 10th
Poet laureate Langston Hughes is featured in this brief biography highlighting his vast collection of writings, particularly his poetry, which drew upon racial and self awareness in America. See "Langston Hughes Activities" for related...
Handout
PBS

Pbs: The American Novel: Literary Timeline: Literary Movements: Modernism

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Background on the literary time period known as Modernism, including characteristics of writing at this time as well as a list of important modernist authors.
Handout
Other

World Views: African Literature: Voices From 'Another' Africa

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A chapter which looks at the development of African literature. Lists many sources for studying and reading African literature.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: The Search for Identity: Toni Morrison

For Students 9th - 10th
Toni Morrison is featured for her ability to illustrate the idiocies of racial stereotyping through her award winning literature. See "Toni Morrison Activities" for related materials.
Handout
Other

University De Valencia: The Literature of Modernism: 1912 40

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Modernist poetry is featured in this comprehensive article.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: The Search for Identity: Sandra Cisneros

For Students 9th - 10th
Sandra Cisneros is featured for her literary prose, drawing on her personal heritage as a Chicana to exhibit her "Americanness" in order to share hope for other minority women. See "Sandra Cisneros Activities" for related materials.
Activity
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Sandra Cisneros' Career

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This essay offers a look at Cisneros' career and impact on American literature.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Modernist Portraits: Sherwood Anderson

For Students 9th - 10th
Sherwood Anderson is the focus of this biography drawing upon his manner of writing about small town Americans not actively involved in the modernization of the twentieth century. See "Sherwood Anderson Activities" for related resources.
Unit Plan
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Countee Cullen

For Students 9th - 10th
This quality site from the University of Illinois offers critical looks at Cullen's poetry as well as an excellent account of the author's life and the influences on his writing.
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Sinclair Lewis

For Students 9th - 10th
A short but concise entry about the life and works of Sinclair Lewis is provided at this site.
Website
American Academy of Achievement

Academy of Achievement: Carlos Fuentes

For Students 9th - 10th
Biography on Mexican novelist, Carlos Fuentes, famous author, scholar and diplomat with great political stature, who produced a trove of essays, short stories and novels. Students can visit photos, interviews and read a profile of Mr....
Unit Plan
National Endowment for the Arts

National Endowment for the Arts: The Big Read: Sun, Stone, and Shadows

For Students 9th - 10th
Resource provides a description, questions, essay topics, lesson plans, biographies, and notes guide a reading of Sun, Stone, and , Shadows, a compilation of short stories by twentieth-century Mexican authors Juan Rulfo, Octavio Paz,...
Website
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Edna St. Vincent Millay Biographies by Wilson and Dougal

For Students 9th - 10th
This site offers biographies on Edna St. Vincent Millay by Edmund Wilson, Ann Dougals, and the Feminist Companion to Literature in English.
Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: Wole Soyinka

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Brittanica's Guide to Black History features Wole Soyinka, a Nigerian playwright and political activist who received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986. He sometimes wrote of modern West Africa in a...