Writing Assignment

For this writing, select one of the readings from this module, summarize the reading, and discuss whether you think this work of literature is "new," and expresses the "democratic spirit" of the new nation. On the other hand, you may also argue that a particular work of literature is NOT new, or does not express the democratic spirit.

Your writing should have two parts.

· One part should state and briefly summarize the main elements of the work of literature . (Summarize does NOT mean "retell the story." It means "relate the main elements: writer, form, setting, narrator/speaker, subject, theme, etc., all briefly organized into a succinct paragraph"

· One part should discuss your thinking about whether or not THIS work seems like a NEW "American" form, one that would satisfy the readers of that day? Explain your thinking: refer to evidence to support your discussion.

·

Your writing should be about 350 or so words in length. Remember to follow MLA format, clean up and organize your writing, and cite your evidence using MLA in-text style.

Poems, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, pp 571-2:

· "A Psalm of Life,"

Link:Poems, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow