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
o Salutary
unanimity
vigilant
despostism
Literary Analysis: Know the following terms:
Speech
Political Speech
Address
Sermon
Allusions
Rhetorical Devices:
Restatement
Anaphora
Antithesis
Exclamation
Rhetorical Question
Parallel Structure
The Declaration of Independence
Essential Question: What Makes American Literature American?
Vocabulary to know:
o Candid
assent
o Redress
acquiesce
harass
rectitude
tyranny
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
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