To understand the full scope of American
history, one must acknowledge and respect the significance of the ongoing undercurrent of artistic
contributors. Students should be encouraged to think and explore the world of literature. An appreciation and understanding of fine works
of classic literature, poetry, and essays, as well as the development and contribution of the literary
segment of our population throughout America’s history, will serve only to enhance a student’s
academic career and perspective on the world around him.
This workbook covers literary genres spanning from early colonial times to the late twentieth
century. Students will be able to see how the American literary style progressed
from the first colonists’ limited imitation of their European counterparts to—as our nation’s people
developed independent, revolutionary thinking—a more established, sophisticated, distinctly
American voice.
Throughout the text, several key terms are set in bold-faced type. Students can find definitions
for these words in a glossary. Following each subject discussed, this
workbook includes several multiple-choice and open-ended questions. These questions are
designed to highlight and reinforce important points about what the students have read, and help
them to apply reasoning and critical thinking to the topics described. By asking students to
immediately recall and consider facts and concepts they’ve just read about, the aim is to affix in
their minds the overall ideas and some of the more essential details of the subject matter.
The reading level of this text ranges from advanced eighth-grade readers to high school level.
Chapters in this workbook are:
Early American and Colonial Period to 1776
Democratic Origins and Revolutionary Writers, 1776–1820
The Romantic Period, 1820–1860: Essayists and Poets
The Romantic Period, 1820–1860: Fiction
The Rise of Realism: 1860–1914
Modernism and Experimentation: 1914–1945
American Poetry Since 1945: The Anti-Tradition
American Prose Since 1945: Realism and Experimentation
Providing students with passages, poems, and essays aligned to the various literary genres
discussed here will certainly make learning the history of American literature easier and more
compelling. This workbook can also be used as a companion to our workbook series, Readings in
American Literature, Volumes I and II, which includes many samples of literary works written by
authors noted throughout this book.
Sample Pages
Choose from the menu below to download a PDF of a few sample pages from our History of American Literature workbook.
Product Codes
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Student Code
Class Pack Code
0-7827-1324-6
0-7827-1325-4
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History of American Literature