The first exam will consist of three parts:
Partial credit may be awarded as merited. Answering all the journalists' questions (who, what, where, when, why, and how) where applicable will ensure a thoughtful yet succinct response.
This guide is designed to help you perform at your best by encouraging you to make connections between the works and authors before exam day. You should review all of your notes in addition to focusing on the following study prompts.
Not all of the material below will be represented on the exam. I encourage you to study with your fellow classmates and to exchange notes. Furthermore, I encourage you to actually read the selections. You still have plenty of time to properly prepare.
Finally, I would like to remind you that this exam represents 20% of your semester grade, so you should take it seriously. Scoring 50% on this test will, for example, reduce your final semester grade by 10 points, or one full letter grade. (Remember, I don't offer extra credit—ever.)
What are some of the issues concerning the "American Literary Canon"?
What is orature, and how does it differ from literature? Why are the differences significant?
Be able to list a dozen or so genres (or categories of writing) that make up the early “American Literary Canon.”
Explain how the Iroquois creation story is similar to the Judeo-Christian creation story.
Discuss how learned people knew the Earth was spherical long before Columbus ever set sail.
Discuss Columbus' change in attitude based on his letters of 1493 and 1503.
Describe ways in which Cabeza de Vaca demonstrates how he is different than most all of his European contemporaries.
Discuss the significance of John Smith's writings. Read the biography.
Identify Thomas Granger.