Note: This course assumes the student already has a strong background in English.

There are two CLEP tests that could be taken upon completion of this course:

American Literature - Exam Description and Sample Questions

Analyzing and Interpreting Literature - Exam Description and Sample Questions

Download the exam descriptions for both tests to serve as an outline/aid for your study journal.


PRIMARY SOURCES:

Outline of American Literature textbook
The Norton Anthology companion website - although designed to be used with the Norton Anthology of American Literature, many of the site features can stand alone. (It is worth checking your local library for the anthology.)
American Passages - video lessons
Common Literary Devices
Advanced Literary Devices


ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Classic Literature online
CliffsNotes - study guides that include the full text of some titles
GradeSaver - study Guides with book summaries, major themes, character notes and quizzes.
American Literature - Just to note: despite the website name, it also includes information for English literature.
SparkNotes for Literature
SparkNotes for Poetry
Wikipedia's American Literature page
American Literature online flashcards - Under the "Literary Response and Analysis" section.

TESTING STUDY GUIDES AND FINAL EXAMS:

Guides and Exams


Recommended Course of Study:

Begin by downloading a copy of the Outline of American Literature. Set up a schedule for reading this text. Visit the American Passages website and watch the video lectures. Be sure to visit the AUTHOR LIST for biographies and activities. Study the definitions of the literary devices regularly and consistently and add them to your study journal.

The CLEP American Literature test breaks down the materials by the following percentages:

15% The Colonial and Early National Period (Beginnings-1830)

25% The Romantic Period (1830-1870)

20% The Period of Realism and Naturalism (1870-1910)

25% The Modernist Period (1910-1945)

15% The Contemporary Period (1945-Present)

This means many of the novels/works you will need to know come from the period before 1923, and are therefore in the public domain and can typically be found online. You will also need to be familiar with some modern works, so plan to visit your local library. (If this is out of the question, you may want to consider using Amazon to order a few used novels.)

You should read as many works as possible over the course of the year. Choose a variety of authors, using the Outline of American Literature as your guide. Use the study guide websites - CliffsNotes, SparkNotes, and/or GradeSaver - to help you analyze each novel you read.

Finish the course with the provided exams. (The reading test will be especially helpful if you plan to take the Analyzing and Interpreting Literature exam.)




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