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
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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
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Literary Analysis:
o Origin myth
themes
archetypes
The Puritan Influence: “To My Dear and Loving Husband,” “Huswifery”
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
Essential Question: What Makes American Literature American?
Vocabulary to know:
o Quench
recompense manifold
persevere
o Affections
ordinances judgment
apparel
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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?
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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?
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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