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American Literature

Here you will find library and internet resources for research on American Literature, including genres, literary movements, terms, concepts, poets, novelists, playwrights

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American Literature

"Like other national literatures, American literature was shaped by the history of the country that produced it. For almost a century and a half, America was merely a group of colonies scattered along the eastern seaboard of the North American continent—colonies from which a few hardy souls tentatively ventured westward. After a successful rebellion against the motherland, America became the United States, a nation. By the end of the 19th century this nation extended southward to the Gulf of Mexico, northward to the 49th parallel, and westward to the Pacific. By the end of the 19th century, too, it had taken its place among the powers of the world—its fortunes so interrelated with those of other nations that inevitably it became involved in two world wars and, following these conflicts, with the problems of Europe and East Asia. Meanwhile, the rise of science and industry, as well as changes in ways of thinking and feeling, wrought many modifications in people’s lives. All these factors in the development of the United States molded the literature of the country."  ("American Literature", Britannica Online)

Searching for Information

These are some of the search words that students may need for a research project. Other words may be useful in addition to those listed below. Consult your textbook, class notes, or assignment guidelines for topic ideas.

Tips:

Use specific words. Use only one or two words. Try both plural and singular forms. Try varying combinations. Try words for specific issues relevant to the topic. Try both technical and common usage words. Try names of relevant places or persons such as authors or critics. Add the word American to some of the more generic search words such as satire.

  • African American literature
  • Asian American literature
  • Beat poetry
  • Children’s literature
  • Comedy
  • Drama
  • Experimental poetry
  • Feminist criticism
  • Fiction
  • Gilded age literature
  • Graphic novel
  • Harlem renaissance
  • Humorists
  • Literary criticism
  • Metaphysical poets or poetry
  • Native American literature
  • Naturalism
  • Poetry
  • Political writing
  • Realism
  • Satire
  • Transcendentalists

The search terms listed above can be used in Google, but you'll find more reliable and authoritative sources searching either in the library's OneSearch Catalog or in Credo Reference, an online collection of reference and research sources.  Use the box below to access Credo's American Literature resources (you may be asked to login) or find OneSearch on the "Books, Ebooks and Videos" tab in this guide.

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