Introduction
While the term literature can mean many things, it commonly refers to written work, and, more specifically, written work that possesses literary merit as opposed to more ordinary or pedestrian writing.
American, British, and world literature all provide different perspectives on a variety of different topics and themes.
So, what is American literature? How is it unique? Why does it matter?
What about British literatue?
How does world literature compare to Brithis and American literature?
By completing this WebQuest, you will familiarize yourself with these different areas of literature by exploring different resources on the Internet and be able to identify several texts that you may wish to read either as part of this class or on your own.
Task
This WebQuest will ask you to read several articles and watch some videos on the Internet. As you complete these tasks, you should be able
- to explore a variety of genres in each area;
- to explore diverse types of literature, including
- multicultural literature,
- young adult literature, and
- literature authored by women; and
- to compile a list of fiction and nonfiction that you may want to read.
Process
American Literature
Visit the following websites in order to acquaint yourself with what American literature is. Enable yourself to answer the questions. As you explore, start compiling a list of texts you might want to read.
- What is it? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_literature & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgZOQVJtvR8
- What are some examples of different kinds of American literature? http://americanliterature.com/
- Is it multicultural? What does multicultural mean? http://english.berkeley.edu/Postwar/multiculti.html
- Is there American literature that appeals to my age group? http://www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists/bbya
- Is there American literature written by women? http://frontierinamlit.wikispaces.com/Evolution+of+the+Role+of+Women+in…
British Literature
Visit the following websites in order to acquaint yourself with what British literature is. Enable yourself to answer the questions. As you explore, start compiling a list of texts you might want to read.
- What is it? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_literature & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfKhlJIAhew
- What are some examples of different kinds of British literature? http://www.classzone.com/books/language_of_lit_gr12/
- Is it multicultural? What does multicultural mean? http://homepages.wmich.edu/~acareywe/multibrit.html
- Is there British literature that appeals to my age group? http://www.somerset.lib.nj.us/teen/modbritlist.html
- Is there British literature written by women? http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2011/03/10-women-writers-changed-litera…
World Literature
Visit the following websites in order to acquaint yourself with what world literature is. Enable yourself to answer the questions. As you explore, start compiling a list of texts you might want to read.
- What is it? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_literature & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIS6eWzXn88
- What are some examples of different kinds of world literature? http://www.worldliteraturetoday.org/
- Is it multicultural? What does multicultural mean? http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/54139_Chapter_12.pdf
- Is there world literature that appeals to my age group? http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/ALAN/spring96/schwarz.html
- Is there world literature written by women? http://www.worldliteraturetoday.org/women-writing-editing-and-translati…
Evaluation
At the conclusion of this WebQuest, you should be able to answer all of the preceding questions according to the following rubric.
| 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| American Literature | The student can insightfully describe the characteristics of American literature. | The student can correctly describe the characteristics of American literature. | The student can describe some characteristics of American literature. The student may stray from the topic or leave out some vital information. | The student struggles to describe characteristics of American literature, strays from the topic, and/or provides some incorrect information. | The student's description of American literature is off or provides incorrect information. | no attempt |
| British Literature | The student can insightfully describe the characteristics of British literature. | The student can correctly describe the characteristics of British literature. | The student can describe some characteristics of British literature. The student may stray from the topic or leave out some vital information. | The student struggles to describe characteristics of British literature, strays from the topic, and/or provides some incorrect information. | The student's description of British literature is off or provides incorrect information. | no attempt |
| World Literature | The student can insightfully describe the characteristics of world literature. | The student can correctly describe the characteristics of world literature. | The student can describe some characteristics of world literature. The student may stray from the topic or leave out some vital information. | The student struggles to describe characteristics of world literature, strays from the topic, and/or provides some incorrect information. | The student's description of world literature is off or provides incorrect information. | no attempt |
Students should also produce a list of texts they are interested in reading with at least three selections form each area (American, British, and world literature).
Conclusion
Congratulations! You are now familiar with several of the most important concepts in literature, especially American, British, and world literature.
Use your list of at list nine texts and select at least three (one form each area -- American, British, and world lierature) that you are most interested in. These will be your free reading books. Get excited!
