Realism & Reconstruction Winter Break Assignment

We will be reading several short pieces and The Adventures of Huck Finn when we return from the break.
This assignment requires that you look up information relevant to the time period during which the novel
and stories are written and/or set so as to develop an historical context for your reading.
The way in which you present the information is up to you. You may create a poster, a children’s book, a
mobile, or some other format (NO POWERPOINT OR OTHER DIGITAL OPTION). POSTERS MUST NOT BE LARGER THAN
18X24 IN SIZE.

It will be worth 145 points. 121 points for the topics required, 15 for neatness and creativity, and 9 for an accurately
formatted (TYPED) MLA works cited page attached to the back of poster or as the last page if you make a booklet.

THESE ARE YOUR ONLY INSTRUCTIONS – EVERYTHING ELSE IS UP TO YOU. MAKE SURE IT’S WORTH 145 POINTS – THIS WILL BE
YOUR FIRST GRADE FOR THE NEW SEMESTER / IT IS DUE THE DAY WE RETURN FROM WINTER BREAK.

Topic #1: American Realism (30 pnts) Topic #2: 3 Realist & Reconstruction Authors (just a
few) (65 pnts)
 What is American Literary Realism?
 To what was it a reaction against? Realist Reconstruction
 When was the American Realist Literary Period  Mark Twain Frederick Douglass
(dates)?  Kate Chopin Abraham Lincoln
 What are the characteristics of Realism  Ambrose Bierce
(literature).
 What is Naturalism / Regionalism? For each include:
 What is Local Color?  Mini bio
 What are the main themes of Realism?  Picture
 Important elements of Plot and Character in  Writing style
Realist Literature.  Most known for (what works?)
 What is Literature of Reconstruction?  Themes focused on
 What is the timeframe for this genre of literature  Significant contribution to the Realist period

INCLUDE ALL QUESTIONS & AT LEAST 3 GRAPHICS INCLUDE AT LEAST 5 GRAPHICS

Topic #3: Timeline of Key Events – Political and Social (26 pnts)
Must have at least 10 events
*Civil War must be one of them (know who Confederate and Union soldiers are – what color each wore)

Clearly label each major event and how it contributed to the development of American Realist / Reconstruction
Literature

https://public.wsu.edu/~campbelld/amlit/1860.htm

INCLUDE AT LEAST 3 GRAPHICS

Some Useful Sites:
https://www.slideshare.net/cbrownell/theliteratureofreconstruction
http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/outlines/literature-1991/the-rise-of-realism-1860-1914/
https://press.rebus.community/openamlit/part/reconstruction-and-realism/
https://public.wsu.edu/~campbelld/amlit/realism.htm
https://www.britannica.com/list/periods-of-american-literature
http://coursesite.uhcl.edu/HSH/Whitec/terms/R/Realism.htm