American Identity Postmodern Project
This is the culminating project for the final unit of this American Literature course. Throughout this class, you
have been asked to explore the literature produced by Americans from before the United States was formed to
the present day.
For this assignment, you will look back through all that you have read and learned to try to answer the question:
What does it mean to be an American? You will use pieces of the texts you have read and your own
responses to create your Postmodern text that blends the concerns and ideas of various voices from throughout
our history, just as much Postmodern writing re-works and responds to other texts.
The Audio Recording:
Once you have created this Postmodern text, you will read it aloud dramatically and record your reading. There
are several resources in the sidebar to help you figure out how to read your work aloud so that it comes alive for
the audience. There are also several links to poetry slam sites and Poetry Out Loud, a national competition for
poetry readings with plenty of examples and tips to improve your reading. Don’t forget that readings of many of
the poems in this unit are linked in the sidebar of each lesson.
You will read and record your entire piece, except for any non-verbal portions (drawings, cartoons, etc.). Your
reading will be judged based on its delivery, not its content. That means that you need to use your voice to make
your text come alive for the audience. Take some time to think about (and even mark on another copy) where
you will pause, where you will say the words more quickly, which words need emphasis, which emotions you
will speak with at certain parts, how you will vary your volume, etc. Don’t rush your reading, as do many
students who are nervous or haven’t taken the time to prepare.
Requirements for the Written Portion:
At least 25 lines, sentences, or combination of lines and sentences
At least ten significant words or phrases from texts in this Postmodernism unit – these should be marked
in a certain way (highlighted, underlined, in a different-colored font) with a key for your teacher
At least ten significant words or phrases from texts in the other units of the course– these should also be
marked in a certain way (highlighted, underlined, in a different-colored font) that is different from the
markings for what you’ve used from the Postmodernism unit with a key for your teacher
At least two different forms of expression should be used (poetry, prose, drawing, cartoon, etc.)
At least two different speakers, narrators, or perspectives should be used
Remember that Postmodernism focuses on the expression of individual, personal truths. No two students will
have the same answer to this question about American identity. While you work back through the texts in this
unit and previous units, different details will strike you as important than the ones that might stand out for a
classmate. Don’t worry about what someone else would write for this assignment; speak your truth about
America!
Also remember that this is a creative assignment, so don’t hold back! You have read and learned a lot in this
course, and this is your chance to showcase what you’ve come to understand!
Use the programs of your choice to create each part of this assignment. For recommended tools, contact your
instructor. Please view the American Identity Postmodern Project Rubric linked in the sidebar to see how you
will be graded. When finished, submit both the written portion and the audio recording as the finished project.
I want to do poertry and prose
