The Raven: Reading and Responding to E. A. Poe's Poem

Grade Levels

10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, 9th Grade

Course, Subject

English Language Arts

Related Academic Standards

Determine two or more central ideas in a text and analyze their development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.

CC.1.2.7.C CC.1.2.7.C

Analyze the interactions between individuals, events, and ideas in a text.

CC.1.2.7.D CC.1.2.7.D

Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author distinguishes his or her position from that of others.

CC.1.2.8.F CC.1.2.8.F

Analyze the influence of the words and phrases in a text including figurative and connotative, and technical meanings; and how they shape meaning and tone.

C.IE.1.1.3 C.IE.1.1.3

Use appropriate organizational strategies for information and explanatory writing (e.g., compare/contrast, cause/effect, problem/solution, process analysis).

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Description

After being introduced to the vocabulary from the selection, students listen to a reading of Edgar Allan Poe’s poem, “The Raven” (either teacher-read or on CD), focusing on the changing mood from the first stanza to the last, and also on the wonderful rhyming and alliteration employed by Poe in this poem. Students, as a whole group, discuss possible underlying meanings in the poem, and also share their observations of rhythm, rhyme, and delightful sounds heard in the poem (alliteration). Do students recognize any other literary techniques used in the poem (e.g. , onomatopoeia, personification, repetition, and internal and end rhyme)?

After the whole-group discussion, students break into small groups to read a copy of the poem, and practice saying the words and hearing the sounds created by the careful word choices that Poe makes. (Students enjoy choral reading this poem in parts. Each pair of students is assigned a stanza. They should be allowed time to read their part independently and practice with their partner first.)

Again working in small groups, students scan the poem, looking for examples of alliteration, onomatopoeia, personification, symbolism, repetition, and internal and end rhyme. Regroup and share findings. For homework, students create original examples of as many of these techniques as they can. Share with the class.

As a writing connection, students will write their own poem, based on the style of Poe. They should think of a word or phrase that will be repeated in each stanza of their poem, as Poe uses “Nevermore” in “The Raven”. They should use as many of the literary techniques as they can, and also try to use some new vocabulary. They can write their poem independently or in pairs. Final pieces can be published in a class anthology of “Edgar Allan Poe-inspired poems”.

Essential Questions

What literary techniques are often used in poems?
How do carefully selected words create particular moods and sounds in a poem?

Duration

One week

Assessment

After successfully completing this activity, students should be able to offer an interpretation of Poe’s poem, “The Raven”, and to identify examples of various literary techniques.

The Raven: Reading and Responding to E. A. Poe's Poem