Teacher Directions:
Students will find evidence of poetic devices in Edgar Allen Poe's, The Raven and analyze the techniques in order to develop an understanding and deeper appreciation for the poet's work. As a culminating activity, students will create their own personal poem, using at least three poetic devices and a rhyme scheme.
You will need access to a computer lab to complete this activity. Students can complete the activity individually or in pairs. Pairs are recommended, however, since the focus of the activity is on patterns of sound; hearing someone else read lines aloud can help reinforce understanding of sound patterns.
Teacher Prep
The poetic devices covered in this lesson can be found in the Vocabulary of Poetic Devices worksheet. You may wish to familiarize yourself with these terms ahead of time, or identify examples found in a variety of other poems.
Be sure to photocopy enough copies of the rubric, vocabulary list and worksheet for each student.
Introduction
Begin by asking students to raise their hands if they've ever read the poem The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe. Take responses and have a brief discussion about what they know, like or dislike about the poem. Explain that today they will look for evidence of specific poetic devices and analyze how Poe deliberately used these techniques when writing The Raven. Tell students that understanding these techniques will not only help them to develop a deeper appreciation for the poem, but for poetry in general. They will also use these same techniques to create their own personal poems.
After you introduce the lesson (before students begin working on the interactive) distribute copies of each of the worksheets.
Review worksheets as a class discussing the vocabulary of poetic devices "Vocabulary of Poetic Devices" handout.
Focus for Media Interaction #1
Students are responsible for identifying the difference between internal and external rhyming.
Viewing Activity #1
Students will launch the Rhyme Scheme mini lessons using three links from the Annotated Poe interactive.
As students learn about these rhyming schemes they will identify how Poe used these poetic devices in his poem by completing Part I of their Student Analysis Worksheet.
Post Viewing Activity #1
Students will take The Raven's Rhymes Challenge using the online link provided. This online version allows students to self check and correct their answers. You may choose to have students record their final answers to the challenge on the printable Raven's Rhymes Challenge Worksheet.
Focus for Media Interaction #2
Students are responsible for identifying Poe's use of various poetic devices in his poem The Raven.
Viewing Activity #2
Students will launch the Annotated Poe interactive and click on the "How Did He Do That?" tab. Using the highlighted grey text students will complete Part II of their Student Analysis Worksheet.
Postviewing Activity #2
Discuss with the class how poetic devices contribute to the mood of a poem.
Culminating Activity
Students will complete Part III of their Student Analysis Worksheet by writing an original poem including at least three poetic devices and one rhyme scheme. A rubric for the original poem can be found in the Distinctive Devices activity rubric.
Student Directions:
"Nevermore" will you question poets and their chosen techniques when writing a brilliant work of poetry. Great poets deliberately use cool and interesting techniques when writing poetry, to create a masterpiece to be enjoyed by their readers for centuries. These techniques are referred to as "poetic devices."
Edgar Allen Poe is one of those distinguished and noteworthy poets who brilliantly uses poetic devices to captivate and draw in his reader. In this activity you will explore the Annotated Poe interactive, analyzing the famous poem, "The Raven." Sure you've probably read "The Raven" before, but this time as you read it, you'll be looking for poetic devices and sound patterns which will allow you to develop a better understanding of the poem, as well as enjoy it more than ever before!
After you analyze "The Raven" and develop an understanding of these literary techniques and how famous poets use poetic devices, you will have the opportunity to write your own powerful personal poem using these same devices.