Activity
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Press Asserts Its Freedom

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
The role of the free press in Colonial American literary and political history. Includes links to Alexander Hamilton and charters involving free press.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Utopian Promise: Sarah Kemble Knight

For Students 9th - 10th
Business woman and author, Sarah Kemble Knight, was a humorist writer who documented her travels and the times of seventeenth century New England. Click on "Sarah Kemble Knight" for related resources.
Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Phillis Wheatley

For Students 9th - 10th
This on-line encyclopedia article gives information about Phillis Wheatley, the Boston slave who surprised colonial America with her poetry. She was the first African-American woman to have her work published.
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: William Byrd (1674 1744)

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A short essay about William Byrd from the colonial period of American history who detailed life in the Southern colonies.
Primary
Lumen Learning

Lumen: American and Puritan Literature: Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

For Students 9th - 10th
"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" is a sermon written by British Colonial Christian theologian Jonathan Edwards, preached to his own congregation in Northampton, Massachusetts to an unknown effect, and again on July 8, 1741, in...
Activity
Washington State University

Washington State University: Literary Movements: Captivity Narratives

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This site contains definitions and analysis of American captivity narratives. Describes the conventions, rhetorical purposes, and themes of the captivity narrative genre. Lists example captivity narratives.
Article
University of Cambridge

University of Cambridge: The First Black Female Poet?

For Students 9th - 10th
This article looks at a ballad, 'Bars Fight,' by 18th century African-American writer Lucy Terry. It considers the literary qualities of a ballad, and its historical role in society. It then goes on to consider why a Black slave might...