Explain how the Puritan concepts of “plain style” and self-examination operate in the works of William Bradford and Cotton Mather.

Respond to any two (2) essay questions. Each essay question is worth (50) points. Refer to specific details and examples from the authors’ works to support your points. Write your essay responses in a clear, organized, coherent manner. Use complete sentences, correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Revise and edit your essay as necessary before submitting it. Each essay should be approximately 250 words, typed (the equivalent of one double-spaced page.) Submit this exam to the course shell.

Pick any two (2).

1. Explain how the Puritan concepts of “plain style” and self-examination operate in the works of William Bradford and Cotton Mather.

2. Explain why the 18th century was called the Age of Enlightenment and discuss how Thomas Paine is considered a representative figure of the age. Describe how “Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs” exemplifies Enlightenment ideals.

3. Edgar Allan Poe once wrote that “the death, then, of a beautiful woman, is, unquestionably, the most poetic topic in the world – and equally is it beyond doubt that the lips best suited for such topic are those of a bereaved lover.”Explain how this statement informs “The Raven.” Describe the shifts in the moods and mind-set of the speaker in “The Raven” and ways the image of death is represented.

4. Describe the intended audience for Harriet Jacobs’s Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl; refer to two (2) passages in which Jacobs addresses that audience directly. Explain whether or not Jacobs intends audiences to identify with Mrs. Flint; refer specifically to the character’s actions.

1. Describe the “West” in the selections by Twain and Whitman. How do these writers view West and the notion of wilderness differently and similarly?  How do you regard its potential in terms of a vision for America?

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment including the chosen author and work, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Analyze the major themes of American texts within their historical, cultural, and philosophical contexts.
• Analyze American texts from a variety of literary perspectives.
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in American literature.
• Write clearly and concisely about American literature using proper writing mechanics.

Grading for this assignment will be based on answer quality, logic/organization of the paper, and language and writing skills, using the following rubric.

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