American Literary Movements Project
"Literary movement" is a term used to describe a collection of literature that is related in some
way. Literature is often affected by the social and political events of the time. Major historical
or cultural events can cause a shift in the ideas and values of a society. These shifts are
typically reflected in the art and literature that is produced during that time. By studying
literary movements, we can better understand our history, our world, and our humanity.
This is a research project. As a team you will research an American literary movement. Your
research will result in a poster to be displayed in the classroom and a presentation to be
shared with the class. Your goal is to inform the class about your literary movement.
You and your team will:
1. Research your assigned literary movement/period on the internet, taking notes and
keeping track of the sources. You will complete a Bibliography Page for each source.
2. Put together a visually appealing, easy to follow and informative wall display (poster)
and Keynote presentation (minimum 10 slides) that provides information about the
movement, including:
• The name of the literary movement/period
• Time period (years the movement spanned)
• Major historical/political events during this period
• Major social/cultural events (such as fashion, entertainment)
• Philosophy and/or purpose of the movement
• Characteristics of the writing from the movement, including popular genres
• List of prevalent themes from the movement
• List of major authors and works from this movement
• List of sources used for research, MLA formatted (Keynote only)
3. Present your project to the class (Keynote and poster). The presentation will be 3-5
minutes in length. Be prepared to explain how your chosen author’s works are reflective
of your literary movement. Someone in your team will also need to record your
presentation using iMovie or similar recording app.
*These projects will be displayed in the classroom throughout the school year and the
Keynotes will be used as we discuss each literary period over the course of the year.
Literary Periods
• Native American (up to 1600)
• Colonial Period/Puritanism (1600-1700)
• Revolutionary Period/Rationalism (1700-1800)
• Romanticism (1800-1860)
• Dark Romanticism (1820-1860)
• Transcendentalism (1840-1860)
• Realism (1860-1900)
• Regionalism (1865-1895)
• Naturalism (1880-1920)
• Modernism (1900-1940)
• Harlem Renaissance (1920-1935)
• Post-Modernism/Contemporary (1940-1970) (1970-Present)
Individual Responsibilities
Circle all that apply
-Bibliographical Page for each source
-Historical or political
-Social and cultural events
-Philosophy and purpose of movement
-Characteristics of this movement, including popular genres (essays, speeches, poetry, short stories, plays, journals, etc).
-Themes
-Major authors and works (name, picture, birth/death dates, major works, excerpt from one story)
-Poster or Keynote (circle one)
Evaluation
1. Keynote/content
a. Historical/political (10)
b. Social/cultural (10)
c. Philosophy/purpose (10)
d. Characteristics of writing (10)
e. Themes (5)
f. Writers/works/excerpt (15)
2. Works Cited Page
3. Poster
4. Time Requirement (3-5 min)
60 pts
10 pts
20 pts
10 pts