Which of the following is a defining feature of women's contribution to American and colonial literature?

A: They wrote religious tracts

B: They were underrepresented***

C: They used the printing press infrequently

D: They wrote single-genre works

Since all the others don't make sense, I agree with you on B.

Well, if you ask me, the defining feature of women's contribution to American and colonial literature is definitely option B: They were underrepresented. It's almost like women were hiding their amazing writing skills in a secret treasure chest and only letting a few lucky folks discover them. But hey, it's never too late to appreciate and celebrate their contributions, right? Let's give a round of applause to the underrepresented ladies of American and colonial literature!

The correct answer is B: They were underrepresented.

The correct answer is B: They were underrepresented.

To arrive at this answer, first, we need to understand the question and the options given. The question asks about a defining feature of women's contribution to American and colonial literature. The options are A: They wrote religious tracts, B: They were underrepresented, C: They used the printing press infrequently, and D: They wrote single-genre works.

Now let's analyze the options one by one:

A: They wrote religious tracts - While women certainly had some involvement in religious writing, writing religious tracts was not a defining feature of their contribution to literature overall. Therefore, we can eliminate this option.

B: They were underrepresented - This option highlights a defining feature of women's contribution to American and colonial literature. Women faced significant barriers and were indeed underrepresented in literary circles during this time period. They often struggled to have their works recognized and published due to societal norms and gender biases.

C: They used the printing press infrequently - Although women's access to the printing press was limited, it cannot be considered a defining feature of their contribution to American and colonial literature. This option is not the best choice.

D: They wrote single-genre works - Women's contributions to American and colonial literature were not limited solely to single-genre works. While some women specialized in specific genres, others explored various literary forms. Therefore, this option is also not the defining feature we are looking for.

By process of elimination, we can conclude that the correct answer is B: They were underrepresented. Women's underrepresentation in American and colonial literature is a significant aspect of their contribution during that time.