American Literary Movements
This early American literary movement emphasized emotion, nature, and individualism
What is Romanticism?
This author wrote The Scarlet Letter, set in Puritan New England
Who is Nathaniel Hawthorne?
The sequence of events in a story: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution
What is plot structure?
This is the sentence in a paragraph that states the main point and is supported by evidence
What is a topic sentence?
Many early American texts deal with this struggle between following society's rules and following one's own conscience
What is conformity vs. individuality?
Puritan writers like Jonathan Edwards used this type of writing to warn sinners of God's wrath
What is a sermon?
Transcendentalist who wrote Walden and lived alone in the woods for two years
Who is Henry David Thoreau?
A comparison using "like" or "as"
What is a simile?
In an argumentative essay, this is the main claim the writer defends
What is a thesis statement?
The idea that anyone can achieve success through hard work is called this, and it's a recurring theme in American lit
What is the American Dream?
This movement, led by writers like Emerson and Thoreau, believed in the inherent goodness of people and nature
What is Transcendentalism?
This poet, known for slant rhyme and dashes, was reclusive and rarely published during her lifetime
Who is Emily Dickinson?
The author's attitude toward the subject or audience
What is tone?
Using a quote or paraphrase from a text to support your argument is called this
What is textual evidence?
Hester Prynne, Huck Finn, and other protagonists often struggle against this force in American literature
What is society (or social expectations)?
"The Raven" and "The Tell-Tale Heart" are works by this American Romantic author known for dark, gothic themes
Who is Edgar Allan Poe?
Author of Self-Reliance and leader of the Transcendentalist movement
Who is Ralph Waldo Emerson?
A character who contrasts with the protagonist to highlight certain qualities
What is a foil?
This writing technique involves examining a quote's meaning and connecting it back to your argument
What is analysis (or commentary)?
Transcendentalists believed spending time in this could lead to spiritual truth and self-discovery
What is nature?
This literary period following the Civil War sought to portray everyday life accurately, rejecting romantic idealization
What is Realism?
This author of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is often called the father of American literature
Who is Mark Twain?
This type of irony occurs when the audience knows something a character does not
What is dramatic irony?
This citation style, commonly used in English classes, uses the author's last name and page number in parentheses
What is MLA format?
This theme explored in works from Poe to Hawthorne deals with guilt, sin, and the darkness hidden within people
What is the duality of human nature (or inner darkness)?