“The Highwayman”
• To diffuse a text to learn vocabulary
• To analyze a poem for narrative
elements and poetic devices
18th Century
During this time there were men who would
ride the roads at night in search of wealthy
people to rob. These men were called
highwaymen.
On Your Copy of the Poem
Listen as I read the poem.
Mark the poem using metacognitive markers:
? For questions
! For reactions
• For comments
Partner up to share your reactions.
Vocabulary Diffusing
torrent, gusty, and moor are in the first stanza
Circle those words.
Read the text WITHOUT THEM.
Based on the surrounding words, what could
these words mean?
Check your definitions in the dictionary.
Practice Diffusing
Identify the words located in the stanza assigned
to you.
Use the diffusion strategy to define those words.
As we reread the poem, we will share our
definitions and write them above the word in
the poem.
Setting
Describe the setting.
How has language changed since this poem was
written.
How do the poem’s themes relate to its setting,
both geographically and historically.
Refer to the “About the Author” box for
information about the time period in which he
lived.
Summarizing
In 2 – 3 sentences, summarize the poem.
Analysis
Reread the poem to identify metaphors and
images in the first four stanzas that create a
mood of foreboding and that foreshadow
danger.
What specific events that occur later in the
poem are being foreshadowed?
Sentence Length
The poet uses sentences of varying length to create
rhythm and drama. Find several examples, and see
how they affect the author’s message.
Repetition
• Locate the repeated words and phrases.
• Are there refrains?
• Why would the poet choose to echo these
words and phrases?
• What is the effect of the repetition?
Compare and Contrast
“Casey at the Bat”
Element Being Compared
Diction that helps to
convey meaning
Poetic elements
“The Highwayman”
Essential Question
• How do literary devices enhance a text?
Revisit Narrative Poem Map
Narrative poem