The Canterbury Tales
Writing Project
Choose
a group of two or three to
work with
–Choose wisely as you will be receiving a
“group participation” grade from which points
will be deducted each day if your group is not
on task.
Everyone
in the group must have a
copy of the work generated each day
.
Prewriting stage

List six pilgrims who will go on a
journey to some medieval location.
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Complete the “Kingdomality” webquest for
some medieval profession ideas.
Describe them in detail:

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What do they look like?
How do they act?
What are their jobs?
Narrator:
 Decide
which pilgrim will be your
narrator.
OR…
 Choose another type of narrator.
– A pilgrim not listed as one of your six
– An omniscient narrator
Framework
Setting and purpose
of your Project
 What
medieval setting will you use?
Where are they all going? (jousting
tournament, coronation, beheading,
etc.)
 What is the purpose of the journey?
 Why are these people telling stories?
(to pass the time, win a prize)
Prewriting conference grade:

As a group, conference with
me. Everyone needs a copy!
– Be sure to label all of the parts

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
Six pilgrims well described
A narrator
Your framework
– due by the end of the period on
Friday, 12/5
First draft stage

Write a prologue to introduce your
pilgrims and framework story.
– Use rhymed couplets of iambic
pentameter (5 stressed syllables per
line)
– Devote at least eight lines to each
character for a total of 48 lines
minimum.
– Devote at least 26 (or more) lines to
your framework. This can come before
your character descriptions, after your
character descriptions, or divided up
before AND after your character
descriptions.
Iambic Pentameter
Example from “The Miller’s Tale”
Some time ago there was a rich old codger
Who lived in Oxford and who took a lodger.
The fellow was a carpenter by trade,
His lodger a poor student who had made
Some studies in the arts, but all his fancy
Turned to astrology and geomancy.

Rhythm-iambic pentameter (five primary stresses)


Must have ten syllables per line
Rhyme—rhymed couplets (2 rhymed lines)

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Punctuate them appropriately—most couplets are
complete sentences
half rhyme is okay
Group conference after you have 12 lines written.
Every member of the group needs a copy.
Syllable chart
 When
your entire “Prologue” is
written:
 Complete
ONE syllable chart for the group to
guarantee that you have ten syllables per line.
 Your “Prologue” will have a minimum of 74
lines…
– 8 lines of description per pilgrim (48)
– 26 lines of your framework/background story
 Turn
in on December 18 to your teacher.
Final Draft

Type in a poetry format—
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Line by line
Centered on the page
Capitalize the first word of each line even if it is not
the beginning of a sentence.
Punctuate perfectly.
Proofread!!!!!
Submit your final draft to turnitin.com

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By 7:30 a.m. on 12/18
Follow your teacher’s directions.
The ___________Tales
by Name, Name, and Name
The General Prologue
Minimum 74 rhymed lines
Properly punctuated
First word of every line capitalized
Double spaced and centered on the page
Professions italicized, highlighted or bold-faced
Includes framework, characters
Should also transition into the tale if you are including one for
extra credit
The _____’s Tale
Up to +10 points extra credit
Minimum 50 rhymed lines
Properly punctuated
First word of every line capitalized
Double spaced and centered on the page
Moral should be exactly stated in last two lines