Prose Poetry Writing Activity

Grade Levels

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

Course, Subject

English Language Arts

Related Academic Standards

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.1.1.4 C.IE.1.1.4

Use precise language, stylistic techniques, and a variety of sentence structures to develop and maintain an appropriate, objective tone.

C.IE.1.1.5 C.IE.1.1.5

Write with control of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage, and sentence formation.

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Description

This activity can be used in conjunction with the Prose Poetry Writing Model: Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" Activity, Prose Poetry Brainstorming Activity, and the Prose Poetry Peer-Editing Activity.

After reading the model poem The Wind, a brief discussion should ensue that focuses on the rhythm, rhyme, use of stanzas, literary elements and repetition as they are similar to Poe’s "The Raven" This discussion could lead into the Prose Poetry Brainstorming Activity. After completing these two activities, the following writing assignment could be best attempted.

Based on Edgar Allan Poe's poems, such as "The Bells" and "The Raven," create a prose poem about fear or a frightening experience that came from something that is normally not scary. For example, the wind. Suggested paper length is 1 1/2 to 3 pages, double spaced, and should effectively include the following to commence a final writing piece that is reflective of Poe’s 19th century style:

a rough draft: double-spaced to allow for peer-editing
the ideas from group’s brainstorm
the focus of group’s brainstorm
stanzas of pattern
two vocabulary words taken from Poe’s poems such as "The Raven"
two literary devices used in Poe's poems
- onomatopoeia
- assonance
- repetition
- symbolism
- internal rhyme
- alliteration

After completing the rough draft with the above listed elements incorporated, this project could be continued with the Prose Poetry Peer-Editing Activity

Essential Question

How can writers apply the technique, style, and language of a 19th century writer?

Duration

45 minutes plus homework

Assessment

Students will follow a model to brainstorm, as a small group, ideas that will commence the writing process. This brainstorm will then be applied to a guided writing assignment of a prose poem. The rough draft will be peer edited for content. The final copy will be typed and read aloud to the class. All work can be given a double grade: one for content and one for mechanics.

Prose Poetry Writing Activity