American Literature Semester Assessment Study Guide
January 2013
Vocabulary:
· Review Definitions for the words in Units 1-6.
· You will be tested on definitions and the use of the words in sentences.
· Use the Practice tests for definitions and sentences at www.vocabtest.com to help you to review for this portion of the assessment.
· Use resources at www.vocabularyworkshop.com.
· Also review all of your returned tests.
Grammar:
· Review Simple, Compound, and Complex sentences
o Know where commas are placed in compound and complex sentences.
o Review coordinating conjunctions – Comma is placed BEFORE the conjunction to separate two independent clauses
§ F – For
§ A – And
§ N – Nor
§ B – But
§ O – Or
§ Y – Yet
§ S – So
· I waited for my friend after school, and we went out to dinner together.
o Review Subordinating Conjunctions
§ Common Subordinate conjunctions include:
o Time: after, as long as, as soon as, before, since, until, when, while
o Place: where, wherever
o Cause: because, since
o Comparison: as, as much as, than, whereas
o Condition: although, as long as, as if, even though, provided that, though, unless, while
o Purpose: so that, that, in order that
Example with subordinate clause coming first:
· Notice that the comma is placed after the subordinate clause when the subordinate clause comes before the independent clause.
· Notice that the subordinate conjunction is (usually) the first word of the subordinate clause.
· When the bridge opens, it will have two additional lanes.
Example with the subordinate clause coming after the independent clause:
· Notice that there is no comma used when the independent clause is placed before the subordinate clause.
· The bridge will have two additional lanes when it opens.
o Review Correlative conjunctions:
§ Either / or
§ Neither / nor
§ Not only / but also
§ Both / and
§ Whether / or
Example:
He is not only our leader but also our cook.
· Review Comma Use: “
o In Compound Sentences - see example above.
o In Complex Sentences – see example above
o In Introductory phrases and clauses:
§ Amazed by what we saw, we looked at the massive galaxy
o With Non-Essential Elements ( phrases and clauses NOT necessary to the meaning of the sentence)
§ Charles Babbage, an Englishman, is viewed as the inventor of the computer.
Literature:
* Native American Literature: Earth on Turtle’s back, The Navajo Origin Myth, When Grizzlies Walked Upright
* Essential Question: What is the relationship between literature and place?
· Vocabulary to know:
o Unconscious depths ancestors protruded
· Literary Analysis:
o Origin myth themes archetypes
The Puritan Influence: “To My Dear and Loving Husband,” “Huswifery”
· Essential Question: What Makes American Literature American?
· Vocabulary to know:
o Quench recompense manifold persevere
o Affections ordinances judgment apparel
· Literary Analysis: Know the following terms:
o Puritan Plain Style syntax inversion paraphrase
o Metaphor conceit stanza lines
from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God:
· Essential Question: How does Literature shape or reflect society?
· Vocabulary to know:
o Constitution prudence omnipotent mediator
o induce
· Literary Analysis: Know the following terms:
o Sermon oratory archetypes context clues imagery
Elements of Speeches: Know the definitions of the following:
Essential Question: How does literature shape or reflect society?
· Vocabulary to Know:
o Insidious privileges vigilant despostism
o Salutary unanimity
· Literary Analysis: Know the following terms:
Speech Political Speech Address Sermon Allusions
Rhetorical Devices:
Restatement Anaphora Rhetorical Question Parallel Structure
Antithesis Exclamation
The Declaration of Independence
Essential Question: What Makes American Literature American?
· Vocabulary to know:
o Candid assent harass tyranny
o Redress acquiesce rectitude prudent
· Literary Analysis: Terms to know:
o Persuasion: argument / message
o Appeals to emotion: to influence readers’ feelings
o Appeals to logic: to show argument is well-reasoned
o Appeals to ethics: to show argument is just or fair
o Appeals to authority: to show that a higher power supports the ideas