Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Write a Poem or a Paragraph”

In this activity, students will analyze the features that characterize Poe’s style, including themes, word choice, and sentence structure or poetic rhyme/meter, and they will use those observations to write a few paragraphs or a short poem imitating Poe’s style.

Write a poem in the style of Poe’s “The Haunted Palace” or a paragraph or two in the style of the opening or conclusion of the “The Fall of the House of Usher.”

• Make note of the words Poe uses to convey a mood or emotion. These might include colors, textures, verbs, or adjectives.
• Analyze images Poe uses to create a mood—storms, shadows, and others.
• Analyze sentence structure: Is it long and complex, or short and direct? In “The Haunted Palace,” examine the length of the lines, the meter, and the rhyme scheme.

Once you have a draft of your written piece, work in a small group to peer edit and review. Display or publish your revised and edited work in a collection with your classmates.

Teaching Suggestion: Students might discuss the above elements in class or in small groups.