What is American Literature?

       American literature is anything composed by an American author from any time period.  Some of the greatest American writers and greatest pieces of American Literature are from the early colonial time in America. American Literature consists of incredible pieces of writing from The Declaration of Independence all the way to horror novels by the author, Steven King.  American literature not only consists of books, but many letters, such as the Declaration of Independence.  Among the most famous American authors are F. Scott Fitzgerald, Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, John Steinbeck and many more.  These men have all composed works that have influenced generations of readers both old and young. Perhaps one of the most talented American poets was Benjamin Franklin.  Ben Franklin is a great example of an American author because Franklin had a way with words that was rare to find in colonial America.  Franklin’s literary skills were implemented in his letter writing to Generals, British Leaders, and also when writing soon to be historical documents.  The collections of writing that are American literature were originally inspired by the oppression from the British, but these literary pieces have grown to become some of the most influential pieces of writing in history.