Urban Fiction

Matthew R.
104 words 2 learners

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Definition First
Print Flashcards

Other learning activities

Answer a few questions about each word. Use this to prep for your next quiz! Compete with other teams in real time to see who answers the most questions correctly! Test your spelling acumen. Read the definition, listen to the word and try spelling it!

Teaching tools

Create and assign quizzes to your students to test their vocabulary. Assign learning activities including Practice, Vocabulary Jams and Spelling Bees to your students, and monitor their progress in real-time.

Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. W. E. B. Du Bois
    United States civil rights leader and political activist who campaigned for equality for Black Americans (1868-1963)
    In his famous essay “The Souls of Black Folk,” W. E. B. Du Bois discussed how a veil separated the African American community from the outside world.[1]
  2. African American
    an American whose ancestors were born in Africa
    Contemporary urban fiction was (and largely still is) a genre written by and for African Americans.
  3. survivalist
    someone who tries to insure their personal survival or the survival of their group or nation
    City novels of yesteryear that depict the low-income survivalist realities of city living can also be considered urban fiction or street lit.
  4. Stephen Crane
    United States writer (1871-1900)
    Titles that depict historical inner-city realities include Stephen Crane's Maggie, A Girl of the Streets (1893), Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist (1838) and Paul Laurence Dunbar's The Sport of the Gods (1902).
  5. yesteryear
    the time that has elapsed
    City novels of yesteryear that depict the low-income survivalist realities of city living can also be considered urban fiction or street lit.
  6. depict
    give a description of
    By extension, fiction written by people outside the African American culture could not (at least with any degree of verisimilitude) depict the people, settings, and events experienced by people in that culture.
  7. continuum
    an extent in which no part is distinct from adjacent parts
    In this vein, urban fiction is not just an African American or Latino phenomenon, but rather, the genre exists along a historical continuum that includes stories from diverse cultural and ethnic experiences.
  8. verisimilitude
    the appearance of truth; the quality of seeming to be true
    By extension, fiction written by people outside the African American culture could not (at least with any degree of verisimilitude) depict the people, settings, and events experienced by people in that culture.
  9. Du Bois
    United States civil rights leader and political activist who campaigned for equality for Black Americans (1868-1963)
    In his famous essay “The Souls of Black Folk,” W. E. B. Du Bois discussed how a veil separated the African American community from the outside world.[1]
  10. urban
    relating to a city or densely populated area
    Contemporary urban fiction was (and largely still is) a genre written by and for African Americans.
  11. Vanessa
    painted beauty and red admiral
    In her book, The Readers' Advisory Guide to Street Literature (2011), Vanessa Irvin Morris points out that titles considered canonical or "classic" today, could be considered the urban fiction or "street lit" of its day.
  12. genre
    a kind of literary or artistic work
    Contemporary urban fiction was (and largely still is) a genre written by and for African Americans.
  13. Latino
    a native of Latin America
    In this vein, urban fiction is not just an African American or Latino phenomenon, but rather, the genre exists along a historical continuum that includes stories from diverse cultural and ethnic experiences.
  14. fiction
    a literary work based on the imagination
    Contemporary urban fiction was (and largely still is) a genre written by and for African Americans.
  15. canonical
    conforming to orthodox or recognized rules
    In her book, The Readers' Advisory Guide to Street Literature (2011), Vanessa Irvin Morris points out that titles considered canonical or "classic" today, could be considered the urban fiction or "street lit" of its day.
  16. Charles Dickens
    English writer whose novels depicted and criticized social injustice (1812-1870)
    Titles that depict historical inner-city realities include Stephen Crane's Maggie, A Girl of the Streets (1893), Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist (1838) and Paul Laurence Dunbar's The Sport of the Gods (1902).
  17. African
    a native or inhabitant of Africa
    Contemporary urban fiction was (and largely still is) a genre written by and for African Americans.
  18. advisory
    an announcement that usually warns the public of some threat
    In her book, The Readers' Advisory Guide to Street Literature (2011), Vanessa Irvin Morris points out that titles considered canonical or "classic" today, could be considered the urban fiction or "street lit" of its day.
  19. Dickens
    English writer whose novels depicted and criticized social injustice (1812-1870)
    Titles that depict historical inner-city realities include Stephen Crane's Maggie, A Girl of the Streets (1893), Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist (1838) and Paul Laurence Dunbar's The Sport of the Gods (1902).
  20. grow up
    become an adult
    Try as some might, those who grew up outside the veil (i.e., outside the urban culture) simply could not write fiction truly grounded in inner-city and African American life.
  21. diverse
    distinctly dissimilar or unlike
    In this vein, urban fiction is not just an African American or Latino phenomenon, but rather, the genre exists along a historical continuum that includes stories from diverse cultural and ethnic experiences.
  22. veil
    a garment that covers the head and face
    In his famous essay “The Souls of Black Folk,” W. E. B. Du Bois discussed how a veil separated the African American community from the outside world.[1]
  23. lit
    provided with artificial light
    City novels of yesteryear that depict the low-income survivalist realities of city living can also be considered urban fiction or street lit.
  24. culture
    all the knowledge and values shared by a society
    By extension, fiction written by people outside the African American culture could not (at least with any degree of verisimilitude) depict the people, settings, and events experienced by people in that culture.
  25. ethnic
    distinctive of the ways of living of a group of people
    In this vein, urban fiction is not just an African American or Latino phenomenon, but rather, the genre exists along a historical continuum that includes stories from diverse cultural and ethnic experiences.
  26. vein
    a blood vessel that carries blood toward the heart
    In this vein, urban fiction is not just an African American or Latino phenomenon, but rather, the genre exists along a historical continuum that includes stories from diverse cultural and ethnic experiences.
  27. twist
    cause an object to assume a curved or distorted shape
    Titles that depict historical inner-city realities include Stephen Crane's Maggie, A Girl of the Streets (1893), Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist (1838) and Paul Laurence Dunbar's The Sport of the Gods (1902).
  28. cultural
    relating to the shared knowledge and values of a society
    In this vein, urban fiction is not just an African American or Latino phenomenon, but rather, the genre exists along a historical continuum that includes stories from diverse cultural and ethnic experiences.
  29. inner
    located inward
    Try as some might, those who grew up outside the veil (i.e., outside the urban culture) simply could not write fiction truly grounded in inner-city and African American life.
  30. point out
    point out carefully and clearly
    In her book, The Readers' Advisory Guide to Street Literature (2011), Vanessa Irvin Morris points out that titles considered canonical or "classic" today, could be considered the urban fiction or "street lit" of its day.
  31. historical
    of or relating to the study of recorded time
    Titles that depict historical inner-city realities include Stephen Crane's Maggie, A Girl of the Streets (1893), Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist (1838) and Paul Laurence Dunbar's The Sport of the Gods (1902).
  32. include
    have as a part; be made up out of
    Titles that depict historical inner-city realities include Stephen Crane's Maggie, A Girl of the Streets (1893), Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist (1838) and Paul Laurence Dunbar's The Sport of the Gods (1902).
  33. phenomenon
    any state or process known through the senses
    In this vein, urban fiction is not just an African American or Latino phenomenon, but rather, the genre exists along a historical continuum that includes stories from diverse cultural and ethnic experiences.
  34. extension
    act of expanding in scope
    By extension, fiction written by people outside the African American culture could not (at least with any degree of verisimilitude) depict the people, settings, and events experienced by people in that culture.
  35. essay
    an analytic or interpretive literary composition
    In his famous essay “The Souls of Black Folk,” W. E. B. Du Bois discussed how a veil separated the African American community from the outside world.[1]
  36. consider
    think about carefully; weigh
    City novels of yesteryear that depict the low-income survivalist realities of city living can also be considered urban fiction or street lit.
  37. outside
    the region that is outside of something
    In his famous essay “The Souls of Black Folk,” W. E. B. Du Bois discussed how a veil separated the African American community from the outside world.[1]
  38. reality
    the state of being actual
    City novels of yesteryear that depict the low-income survivalist realities of city living can also be considered urban fiction or street lit.
  39. classic
    of recognized authority or excellence
    In her book, The Readers' Advisory Guide to Street Literature (2011), Vanessa Irvin Morris points out that titles considered canonical or "classic" today, could be considered the urban fiction or "street lit" of its day.
  40. contemporary
    occurring in the same period of time
    Contemporary urban fiction was (and largely still is) a genre written by and for African Americans.
  41. Morris
    United States statesman who led the committee that produced the final draft of the United States Constitution (1752-1816)
    In her book, The Readers' Advisory Guide to Street Literature (2011), Vanessa Irvin Morris points out that titles considered canonical or "classic" today, could be considered the urban fiction or "street lit" of its day.
  42. Oliver
    United States jazz musician who influenced the style of Louis Armstrong (1885-1938)
    Titles that depict historical inner-city realities include Stephen Crane's Maggie, A Girl of the Streets (1893), Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist (1838) and Paul Laurence Dunbar's The Sport of the Gods (1902).
  43. considered
    carefully weighed
    City novels of yesteryear that depict the low-income survivalist realities of city living can also be considered urban fiction or street lit.
  44. American
    of or relating to the United States of America or its people or language or culture
    Contemporary urban fiction was (and largely still is) a genre written by and for African Americans.
  45. write
    name the letters that comprise the accepted form of
    Contemporary urban fiction was (and largely still is) a genre written by and for African Americans.
  46. discuss
    consider or examine in speech or writing
    In his famous essay “The Souls of Black Folk,” W. E. B. Du Bois discussed how a veil separated the African American community from the outside world.[1]
  47. street
    a thoroughfare that is lined with buildings
    City novels of yesteryear that depict the low-income survivalist realities of city living can also be considered urban fiction or street lit.
  48. title
    the name of a work of art or literary composition
    In her book, The Readers' Advisory Guide to Street Literature (2011), Vanessa Irvin Morris points out that titles considered canonical or "classic" today, could be considered the urban fiction or "street lit" of its day.
  49. folk
    people in general (often used in the plural)
    In his famous essay “The Souls of Black Folk,” W. E. B. Du Bois discussed how a veil separated the African American community from the outside world.[1]
  50. Stephen
    English writer (1832-1904)
    Titles that depict historical inner-city realities include Stephen Crane's Maggie, A Girl of the Streets (1893), Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist (1838) and Paul Laurence Dunbar's The Sport of the Gods (1902).
  51. separated
    being or feeling set or kept apart from others
    In his famous essay “The Souls of Black Folk,” W. E. B. Du Bois discussed how a veil separated the African American community from the outside world.[1]
  52. experienced
    having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
    By extension, fiction written by people outside the African American culture could not (at least with any degree of verisimilitude) depict the people, settings, and events experienced by people in that culture.
  53. Black
    British chemist who identified carbon dioxide and who formulated the concepts of specific heat and latent heat (1728-1799)
    In his famous essay “The Souls of Black Folk,” W. E. B. Du Bois discussed how a veil separated the African American community from the outside world.[1]
  54. novel
    an extended fictional work in prose
    City novels of yesteryear that depict the low-income survivalist realities of city living can also be considered urban fiction or street lit.
  55. income
    the amount of money one makes over a period of time
    City novels of yesteryear that depict the low-income survivalist realities of city living can also be considered urban fiction or street lit.
  56. exist
    have a presence
    In this vein, urban fiction is not just an African American or Latino phenomenon, but rather, the genre exists along a historical continuum that includes stories from diverse cultural and ethnic experiences.
  57. largely
    mainly or chiefly
    Contemporary urban fiction was (and largely still is) a genre written by and for African Americans.
  58. experience
    the content of observation or participation in an event
    By extension, fiction written by people outside the African American culture could not (at least with any degree of verisimilitude) depict the people, settings, and events experienced by people in that culture.
  59. city
    a large and densely populated urban area
    Try as some might, those who grew up outside the veil (i.e., outside the urban culture) simply could not write fiction truly grounded in inner-city and African American life.
  60. sport
    active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
    Titles that depict historical inner-city realities include Stephen Crane's Maggie, A Girl of the Streets (1893), Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist (1838) and Paul Laurence Dunbar's The Sport of the Gods (1902).
  61. setting
    the physical position of something
    By extension, fiction written by people outside the African American culture could not (at least with any degree of verisimilitude) depict the people, settings, and events experienced by people in that culture.
  62. separate
    standing apart; not attached to or supported by anything
    In his famous essay “The Souls of Black Folk,” W. E. B. Du Bois discussed how a veil separated the African American community from the outside world.[1]
  63. written
    set down in writing in any of various ways
    Contemporary urban fiction was (and largely still is) a genre written by and for African Americans.
  64. literature
    writings in a particular style on a particular subject
    In her book, The Readers' Advisory Guide to Street Literature (2011), Vanessa Irvin Morris points out that titles considered canonical or "classic" today, could be considered the urban fiction or "street lit" of its day.
  65. reader
    a person who can read; a literate person
    In her book, The Readers' Advisory Guide to Street Literature (2011), Vanessa Irvin Morris points out that titles considered canonical or "classic" today, could be considered the urban fiction or "street lit" of its day.
  66. guide
    someone employed to conduct others
    In her book, The Readers' Advisory Guide to Street Literature (2011), Vanessa Irvin Morris points out that titles considered canonical or "classic" today, could be considered the urban fiction or "street lit" of its day.
  67. event
    something that happens at a given place and time
    By extension, fiction written by people outside the African American culture could not (at least with any degree of verisimilitude) depict the people, settings, and events experienced by people in that culture.
  68. truly
    in accordance with fact or reality
    Try as some might, those who grew up outside the veil (i.e., outside the urban culture) simply could not write fiction truly grounded in inner-city and African American life.
  69. community
    a group of people living in a particular local area
    In his famous essay “The Souls of Black Folk,” W. E. B. Du Bois discussed how a veil separated the African American community from the outside world.[1]
  70. famous
    widely known and esteemed
    In his famous essay “The Souls of Black Folk,” W. E. B. Du Bois discussed how a veil separated the African American community from the outside world.[1]
  71. grow
    increase in size by natural process
    Try as some might, those who grew up outside the veil (i.e., outside the urban culture) simply could not write fiction truly grounded in inner-city and African American life.
  72. degree
    a specific identifiable position in a continuum or series
    By extension, fiction written by people outside the African American culture could not (at least with any degree of verisimilitude) depict the people, settings, and events experienced by people in that culture.
  73. today
    on this day as distinct from yesterday or tomorrow
    In her book, The Readers' Advisory Guide to Street Literature (2011), Vanessa Irvin Morris points out that titles considered canonical or "classic" today, could be considered the urban fiction or "street lit" of its day.
  74. Paul
    a Christian missionary to the Gentiles
    Titles that depict historical inner-city realities include Stephen Crane's Maggie, A Girl of the Streets (1893), Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist (1838) and Paul Laurence Dunbar's The Sport of the Gods (1902).
  75. simply
    in a simple manner; without extravagance or embellishment
    Try as some might, those who grew up outside the veil (i.e., outside the urban culture) simply could not write fiction truly grounded in inner-city and African American life.
  76. Charles
    king of the Franks and Holy Roman Emperor
    Titles that depict historical inner-city realities include Stephen Crane's Maggie, A Girl of the Streets (1893), Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist (1838) and Paul Laurence Dunbar's The Sport of the Gods (1902).
  77. book
    an object consisting of a number of pages bound together
    In her book, The Readers' Advisory Guide to Street Literature (2011), Vanessa Irvin Morris points out that titles considered canonical or "classic" today, could be considered the urban fiction or "street lit" of its day.
  78. low
    less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
    City novels of yesteryear that depict the low-income survivalist realities of city living can also be considered urban fiction or street lit.
  79. try
    make an effort or attempt
    Try as some might, those who grew up outside the veil (i.e., outside the urban culture) simply could not write fiction truly grounded in inner-city and African American life.
  80. people
    any group of human beings collectively
    By extension, fiction written by people outside the African American culture could not (at least with any degree of verisimilitude) depict the people, settings, and events experienced by people in that culture.
  81. can
    airtight sealed metal container for food or drink, etc.
    By extension, fiction written by people outside the African American culture could not (at least with any degree of verisimilitude) depict the people, settings, and events experienced by people in that culture.
  82. living
    pertaining to living persons
    City novels of yesteryear that depict the low-income survivalist realities of city living can also be considered urban fiction or street lit.
  83. in that
    (formal) in or into that thing or place
    By extension, fiction written by people outside the African American culture could not (at least with any degree of verisimilitude) depict the people, settings, and events experienced by people in that culture.
  84. soul
    the immaterial part of a person
    In his famous essay “The Souls of Black Folk,” W. E. B. Du Bois discussed how a veil separated the African American community from the outside world.[1]
  85. at least
    not less than
    By extension, fiction written by people outside the African American culture could not (at least with any degree of verisimilitude) depict the people, settings, and events experienced by people in that culture.
  86. live
    have life, be alive
    City novels of yesteryear that depict the low-income survivalist realities of city living can also be considered urban fiction or street lit.
  87. ground
    the solid part of the earth's surface
    Try as some might, those who grew up outside the veil (i.e., outside the urban culture) simply could not write fiction truly grounded in inner-city and African American life.
  88. story
    a record or narrative description of past events
    In this vein, urban fiction is not just an African American or Latino phenomenon, but rather, the genre exists along a historical continuum that includes stories from diverse cultural and ethnic experiences.
  89. God
    the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
    Titles that depict historical inner-city realities include Stephen Crane's Maggie, A Girl of the Streets (1893), Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist (1838) and Paul Laurence Dunbar's The Sport of the Gods (1902).
  90. least
    the superlative of `little' that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by `the'; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
    By extension, fiction written by people outside the African American culture could not (at least with any degree of verisimilitude) depict the people, settings, and events experienced by people in that culture.
  91. point
    a distinguishing or individuating characteristic
    In her book, The Readers' Advisory Guide to Street Literature (2011), Vanessa Irvin Morris points out that titles considered canonical or "classic" today, could be considered the urban fiction or "street lit" of its day.
  92. girl
    a young woman
    Titles that depict historical inner-city realities include Stephen Crane's Maggie, A Girl of the Streets (1893), Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist (1838) and Paul Laurence Dunbar's The Sport of the Gods (1902).
  93. along
    in line with a length or direction
    In this vein, urban fiction is not just an African American or Latino phenomenon, but rather, the genre exists along a historical continuum that includes stories from diverse cultural and ethnic experiences.
  94. rather
    more readily or willingly
    In this vein, urban fiction is not just an African American or Latino phenomenon, but rather, the genre exists along a historical continuum that includes stories from diverse cultural and ethnic experiences.
  95. set
    put into a certain place or abstract location
    By extension, fiction written by people outside the African American culture could not (at least with any degree of verisimilitude) depict the people, settings, and events experienced by people in that culture.
  96. in this
    (formal) in or into that thing or place
    In this vein, urban fiction is not just an African American or Latino phenomenon, but rather, the genre exists along a historical continuum that includes stories from diverse cultural and ethnic experiences.
  97. day
    time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
    In her book, The Readers' Advisory Guide to Street Literature (2011), Vanessa Irvin Morris points out that titles considered canonical or "classic" today, could be considered the urban fiction or "street lit" of its day.
  98. world
    the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
    In his famous essay “The Souls of Black Folk,” W. E. B. Du Bois discussed how a veil separated the African American community from the outside world.[1]
  99. also
    in addition
    City novels of yesteryear that depict the low-income survivalist realities of city living can also be considered urban fiction or street lit.
  100. still
    not in physical motion
    Contemporary urban fiction was (and largely still is) a genre written by and for African Americans.
  101. might
    physical strength
    Try as some might, those who grew up outside the veil (i.e., outside the urban culture) simply could not write fiction truly grounded in inner-city and African American life.
  102. just
    and nothing more
    In this vein, urban fiction is not just an African American or Latino phenomenon, but rather, the genre exists along a historical continuum that includes stories from diverse cultural and ethnic experiences.
  103. life
    the organic phenomenon that distinguishes living organisms
    Try as some might, those who grew up outside the veil (i.e., outside the urban culture) simply could not write fiction truly grounded in inner-city and African American life.
  104. not
    negation of a word or group of words
    By extension, fiction written by people outside the African American culture could not (at least with any degree of verisimilitude) depict the people, settings, and events experienced by people in that culture.
Created on Fri Sep 27 12:54:37 EDT 2013

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.