I like to also add to the class discussion excerpts from Roughing It and Letters From the Earth. And I begin the discussion of Huck Finn by sharing with the students the ending of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, a good way to get them to discuss Twain's evolving style and his increasing level of sophistication and complexity in the later novel. Students write 5 separate journal entries on Twain, with particular emphasis on Huck Finn. And students write a creative essay which usually is a parody of Twain's style or an extra episode they would like to insert into Huck Finn. Then I ask them to search-out additional important concepts in the stories and sketches not discussed in class.
Students write a journal entry on Chopin.
And they write a term paper based on guidelines stated in the D. C. Heath American Literature Student Essay Contest. In this way, the students can at least be introduced to many of the lesser known or less appreciated writers. Then each student will present a 5-10 minute oral report on the assinged author.