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U.S. Literary Map Project

The goal of the U.S. Literary Map Project is to build a comprehensive resource of writers who were born or lived predominantly in the United States.  The "Literary Map" is being created now by students and teachers.  Use the lesson plan below to learn how to best participate in this exciting project.

Click here to go to the Literary Map

Check out ExxonMobil Masterpiece Theatre's American Collection website at pbs.org for additional teacher information

Literary Map Lesson Plan

Overview

Here is a student lesson especially designed to generate material for the Literary Map section of this AMERICAN COLLECTION website.  The goal of this research and writing-based lesson is to have as many American writers included on the site as possible.  All published writers in your area will be included, not just the premier American writers. 

The teachers and students who participate in this endeavor will not only receive a credit for having done the research, but will also have the satisfaction of knowing that they put their state, county and/or city "on the map."  This research project is ideal for any middle or high school student. 

Suitable for:  Middle and high school students

Objective: 

  • Use a variety of research skills to find out about writers in the local region, county or city
  • Compile information on the writer
  • Present written research findings in a coherent and organized way
  • Create a bibliography of resources used in the quest for information
  • Understand that writers are not only those listed in the core curriculum
  • Realize the effect that region has on a writer's work

Skills Attained:

  • Research skills using library and Internet resources
  • Interviewing skills
  • Bibliography skills
  • Concise writing that follows a set format

Lesson Outline

I.  Introduction of Project

While the research is in and of itself valuable, the focus, or "carrot" for the participants is that (1) their efforts will be published by a nationally prestigious organization—NCTE—and (2) people who visit the site will greatly benefit from their efforts.

II.  Research Skills

To identify and locate writers, students may want to conduct their research through the following sources: 

  1. Town or city librarian
  2. Local Historical Society, writers clubs, book clubs and book store owners
  3. The Internet

Once students select a writer, have them submit the name to you so that we don't have any duplications.

III.  Information Needed

In their written reports, students should include as much of the following information as possible about their writers:

  1. Personal and professional biography (including birth and death dates)
  2. Where in the state, county and/or region does he/she actually write (or wrote); if this is a remote location, include the name of a nearby town or city
  3. List of works with year of publication for each work
  4. Any interviews with the writer
  5. Any audio of the writer's voice either reciting a work or talking about a work
  6. Any links to related topics (e.g., regionalism of your area, writer's writing style and historical time period facts); include website addresses
  7. If the writer is alive, how to contact him/her
  8. Bibliography of sources used in research

Students should structure their reports in the order of the eight items listed above.  To get samples of the format and content for these reports, have students review materials that are already up on the literary map.

IV.  Assessment

Teachers may set up their own rubrics to grade the student research.  Having the students follow a set format for the information will be most helpful when the information needs to be transferred to the website. 

Additional Resources

For the authoritative word on how to cite information obtained on the Web, refer students to the Modern Language Association site at: http://www.mla.org/

Submitting Student Reports

To help us expedite the collating, editing and uploading process, please submit all student reports as PC (i.e., IBM compatible) word processing files in Word, Wordperfect or rich text formats.  If possible, have all student reports contained in one (1) file.  Files may be sent electronically via email or postal mail on diskette.

To insure that your students' work will be included on the website, please contact us before you begin the research.

** YOUR PARTICIPATION **

If you intend on participating in this project, it is essential that you first contact us. Teachers who get their classes involved also receive a credit on the website for all student work submitted.  Ideally, we would like to have every area across the country represented.  As soon as you can commit to this lesson, please let us know so we can mark your area off as being covered on the map.

CONTACT US

THANK YOU!