The book is designed for Teacher directed use, or the Student can use it on his own. Answers are found at the end of each lesson. The Student is expected to keep a four-section notebook for assigned writings.

The Gold Book – American Literature includes famous American short stories, novels, and poetry. The student will analyze selections of literature, learn literary terminology, write characterizations and other short analyses, essays, short stories, and poetry.

Each lesson consists of a five day week, complete with assignments and questions.  Teacher Helps are located at the end of each lesson for easy reference.  Many of the questions may be answered orally or as a written assignment.  We encourage the teacher to vary requirements for oral or written answers depending on what will best assist the student in learning.  We also suggest adjusting reading assignments to meet the student's needs.  If the student requires more time to read a short story or novel, the lessons may be adjusted accordingly.It is the hope of those associated with the Learning Language Arts Through Literature series that this language arts course will encourage the high school student's ability to read and understand literature as well as develop the ability for verbal and written expression.  It is also our desire that the student be able to interpret and assess literary meaning in terms of content and philosophy, and then be able to clearly state a position in response.  As the student's understanding of literature grows, it is our prayer that there will be equal growth in the ability to "give an account for the hope that is within you."

Reading Skills/Short Stories
Great American Short Stories - Wallace and Mary Stegner • The Mentor Book of Major American Poets - Oscar Williams and Edwin Honig • The Old Man and the Sea - Ernest Hemingway • The Red Badge of Courage - Stephen Crane • The Pearl - John Steinbeck • character study • conflict • flat characters • round characters • crisis • outlines • elements of fiction • setting • plot • foreshadowing • irony • themes • outcome • supporting your answer • point of view • first person narrative • omniscient author • third person objective • main character • interpretation • allegory • figurative meaning • novella • character development • plot development • topics • reference books • thing-of-consciousness • compare and contrast • comparison

Essays
rhetorical techniques • compare and contrast • extended definitions • argument and persuasion • expository writing • research papers • topics • subtopics • conclusions • coherence • transitional devices • concluding paragraphs • introductory paragraph • evidence • first body paragraphs • outlines • supportive topics • thesis statements

Poetry
personification • imagery • metaphors • comparisons • similes • syntax and form • moods • sonnets • iambic pentameter • sestets • tercets • quatrains • topics • stanzas • rhyme groups • abstractions • symbolism