Quoth the Raven ... Nevermore!

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

Edgar Allan Poe was a famous writer from the 1800s who wrote both prose and poetry.

He was well known for his works of mystery and horror, and his death in 1849 is also surrounded by mystery. Check out this Poe Biography for more information about his life and death.

Besides being mysterious, Poe's work is considered great because he used many literary techniques. One example of this is in his poem "The Raven," where he utilizes alliteration, assonance, and internal rhyme.

Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds, usually at the beginning of a word.

• Example: "while I pondered, weak and weary,"
• The "W" sound is repeated three times within the line.

Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds, usually within a word.

• Example: "purple curtain"
• The short "U" sound is repeated in back-to-back words.

Internal rhyme is the rhyming of words within a line of poetry, not just at the end of it.

• Example: "but the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,"
• The rhyme is within the line.

Take a minute to think about these literary techniques.

• Can you think of something else you have read that might contain alliteration, assonance, or internal rhyme?

"The Raven" is also known for its engaging plot, which has been illustrated and adapted in other forms hundreds of times.

When writers adapt a work, they often use the story's major plot points and adjust to fit the style that best suits their work. Major plot points include exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

Exposition is when the reader is first exposed to the characters or setting and gets to know them. This usually occurs near the beginning of the work.

Rising Action is the events that happen to surround the characters that lead up to the climax of the work.

Climax is known as the most exciting moment in the work. It is the moment when the conflict reaches its most intense point. The action comes down after this.

Falling Action is the events after the climax that lead to the conflict being resolved.

Resolution is the conclusion of the story, when the conflict is finally brought to an end.

Watch these videos to clearly understand how the plot elements play a role within a literary work.

Think about a story you have already read or a movie you have seen.

• Can you name the elements of the plot as they pertain to that story or movie?

Continue on to the Got It? section.