“The Raven”
Edgar Allan Poe
Narrative Poetry
Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that
tells a story, often making use of the voices
of a narrator and characters as well.
Even though this is a poem, it tells a story about a man
who has lost the woman that he loves. In his anguish, he
begins a conversation with a raven, a bird of ill omen, and
drives himself mad with grief. As we read, look for all of the
elements of a narrative poem: plot, setting, character,
dialogue, and conflict.
Review Plot Elements
 Exposition: characters, setting,
 Conflict: between two opposing
characters or forces
 Rising Action: developing conflict
 Climax: Most exciting moment, turning
point
 Falling Action: conflicts are resolved
 Resolution: reasonable ending
Essential Question #1
How do effective writers create mood in their
poetry?
Readers respond to the use of literary
techniques used in poetry to feel the mood
of a poem. Writers use sound devices such
as rhythm, rhyme, onomotopoeia and
alliteration as well as literary techniques like
imagery, personification, and figurative
language to create the mood.
Essential Question #2
How can readers analyze the tone of a
poem?
Since tone refers to the writer’s feelings,
readers must analyze the word choice of the
poem, looking for specific vocabulary as well
as repetition to find the emphasis from the
writer. By analyzing word choice, readers
can better understand the content and the
development of those ideas by the writer.
As you read…
To begin, we are going to watch the poem.
Next, we will listen to the poem.
Then, as we analyze, make notes on your
copy of the poem to help with your
understanding of the poem’s content and
literary devices.
“The Raven”
Courtesy of The Simpsons
https://vimeo.com/29733360
Reading of “The Raven”
Analysis
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Paraphrase each stanza on the poem.
Locate one example of onomatopoeia.
Locate one example of alliteration.
Locate one example of personification, simile,
and metaphor.
Locate one example of assonance.
What is the attitude/tone in the poem? How do
you know this? Give examples.
Does a shift occur in the poem? If so, when?
What is the theme of the poem?
“The Raven” Story Board
•Complete the story board for the six stages of
plot: exposition, conflict, rising action, climax,
falling action, and resolution.
•You should summarize each stage and illustrate
it. Try to be as accurate to the poem as possible.
•Review your poetic device examples. Now write
and illustrate those examples as well.