Edgar Allan Poe
Did you know?
At 27 years old,
Edgar Allan Poe
married his 13-yearold cousin Virginia
Eliza Clemm on
May 16, 1836, in
Richmond, Va.
•Poe’s Background
•Students
•Assignments
•Teacher’s Page
•Resources/Links
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Poe’s Background
• Edgar Allan Poe, who was born on
Jan. 19, 1809, in Boston,
Massachusetts, authored more than
100 poems and short stories during his
lifetime. Poe was a master of the short
story, and the inventor of the modern
detective story. However, Poe is most
remembered for his skillful use of
macabre and chilling tone, pacing,
and emphasis. His writing resembles
an allegorical dance with death.
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Did you know?
Edgar Allan Poe
died on Oct. 7,
1849, in Baltimore,
MD.
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Poe’s Background
Did you know?
Written in 1845,
“The Raven” is
certainly Edgar
Allan Poe’s best
known work.
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• Most of Poe’s work shows a keen
interest in the macabre, blending the
melancholy of the human heart with
the fantastic in clear, lucid prose.
“The Raven” (1845), Poe’s
masterpiece, illustrates this perfectly.
It tells a chilling tale of a man haunted
by deaths - past and future. Other
poems convey the theme of loss and
lamentation. Though a poet by
inclination, Poe turned to the more
lucrative genre of short stories, where
he was similarly prolific.
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Poe’s Background
• Poe’s short stories examine horror and
evil, both as a palpable external force,
and a malevolent cancer in the human
heart. His recurring master detective,
Auguste Dupin is seen as the direct
antecedent to Conan Doyle’s more
famous creation, Sherlock Holmes. …
Although he lived a short and tragic life,
Edgar Allan Poe remains today one of
the most-beloved mystery writers in
history. His contributions to literature and
the mystery genre cannot be
underestimated.
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Did you know?
Both of Edgar
Allan Poe’s birth
parents died
before his fourth
birthday.
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Students
Did you know?
Edgar Allan Poe had
a brother (William
Henry Poe) and a
sister (Rosalie
Mckenzie Poe).
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• The Edgar Allan Poe Project for this
American Literature classroom
provides you the opportunity to
relish and marvel at the writings of
one of the greatest minds of 19th
century America. Although Poe
died before his time, his imprint on
America is linked with the hundreds
and hundreds of poets and mystery
writers throughout our country.
• Go to Introduction and begin your
work.
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Assignments
• Introduction
• Task
• Process
• Evaluation
• Conclusion
• Teacher’s Page
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Introduction
• William Peter Blatty, Ray Bradbury , and
Stephen King wrote many thrilling and
frightful horror stories in the last half of the
20th century, and they continue to do so into
the 21st century. But if it had not been for
Edgar Allan Poe, these men might not have
achieved the level of success they have
reached today. Poe provided future
authors a glimpse of what lurked in the
macabre world of his mind from his writings.
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Task
• The Croswell Opera House in Adrian, Mich.,
will host an Edgar Allan Poe Gala in January
2009, celebrating the 200th birthday of Poe.
The Croswell Opera House Poe Committee
has scheduled a meeting for next month,
and they would like your group of four
members to present your ideas to the
committee. Yes, the gala event is not
scheduled until January 2009, but as they
say, “the early bird catches the worm.”
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Task
•
The Croswell Opera House Poe Committee has
recommended each group present the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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A historic timeline of Edgar Allan Poe’s life, highlighting
important dates in America’s history during the author’s
life.
An artist’s rendition of what Poe looked like in his latter
years, using paint, charcoal, or any other means possible.
A scene re-enactment of one of Poe’s poems or short
stories to show the committee the artistic level of your
group to understand Poe’s meaning.
How did Poe’s personal demons, the tragic events in his
life, influence his many writings? A 500-word essay to be
read to the Poe Committee.
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Task
• Then, your group will present the timeline,
the artwork, the re-enactment, and the
essay paper to the Poe Committee (your
classmates).
• Once you have submitted your work to the
Poe Committee, your teacher will provide
your grade within a week’s time.
• Enjoy the challenge. The Croswell Opera
House Poe Committee wishes your group
the best of luck, and let the fun begin!
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Process
• Okay, now the real fun begins. First, the members
of your group must research and know as much as
possible about Edgar Allan Poe, which means your
group must get down and dirty – and do some
research.
– Read a sampling of Poe’s works, either short stories or
poems.
• http://www.eapoe.org/works/index.htm
• http://www.pambytes.com/poe/poe.html
– Someone from your group must also gather research on
America during Poe’s lifetime.
• http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/history/toc.htm
• http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi
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Process
• Once your group has finished reading a sampling of
Poe’s writings and researching America for the
timeline, you must prepare for the artist’s rendition
of Poe to present to the Poe Committee.
– Visit the following Web sites to view different illustrations,
paintings, busts, etc., of Poe:
• www.yahoo.com
• www.google.com
• If you read a sampling of Poe’s short stories and poems, you
have an idea of which scene you would like to re-enact for
the Poe Committee. If not, go back and review the readings
on the previous slide.
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Evaluation
• If you would like to see how your group is
progressing, click on Rubric and go to the
appropriate link. If you feel your group is reaching
the goals in the Rubric, continue with your project.
If you feel you are not reaching your potential
based on the Rubric, please see your teacher for
further instruction or help. Your group will be
evaluated accordingly, and each member of the
group will be able to evaluate each other , noting
such things as participation and working within a
group setting.
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Student Rubric
Edgar Allan Poe Project for
American Literature
Excellent
Fair
Good
Poor
A historic timeline of Edgar
Allan Poe’s life,
highlighting important dates
in America’s history during
the author’s life.
Collected all information
needed to apply biographical
data to the reading selection
plus accurately and clearly to
the timeline.
Collected most of information
needed and information meets
most but not all needs in
application to the reading
selection or for creation of
timeline.
Collected some information but
information is unclear in
application to the reading
selection or for creation of
timeline.
Did not collect information
needed for apply biography to
reading selection or for
creation of timeline.
An artist’s rendition of what
Poe looked like in his latter
years, using paint, charcoal,
or any other means
possible.
Product reflects collection of all
data needed and is well
organized both in information
and graphic appeal.
Product reflects collection of
most data needed and is
organized but lacks either
clarity or graphic appeal.
Product reflects collection of
most data needed and is
organized but lacks clarity and
graphic appeal.
Product does not reflect
collection of data needed and
is not organized, lacks clarity
and graphic appeal.
A scene re-enactment of
one of Poe’s poems or short
stories to show the
committee the artistic level
of your group to understand
Poe’s meaning.
Uses original approach
effectively and is highly
organized. Well rehearsed
showing ease in delivery and
adequate preparation.
Uses original approach
effectively and is highly
organized but shows lack of
rehearsal with inadequate
delivery and preparation.
Approach is less than effective
and shows little organization.
Some evidence of rehearsal
but lacks delivery.
Approach is not effective and
shows minimum organization.
Little evidence of rehearsal
and lacks delivery.
How did Edgar Allan Poe’s
personal demons, tragic
events in his life, influence
his many writings? A 500word essay to be read to
the Poe Committee.
Well-written piece.
Presentation was effective and
student use showed expertise.
Well-written piece.
Presentation was effective and
student use showed lack of
expertise.
Average written piece.
Presentation was not best
choice for selection and was
not as effective as other
mediums. Student use showed
lack of expertise.
Poorly written piece.
Presentation was not effective.
Student use showed lack of
expertise
Individual student worked
cooperatively with team
members and participated
in elements of the project.
Student worked well with
group. Student input was
accurate and timely. Student
participated in all aspects of
the project.
Student worked well with
group. Student input was
accurate and timely. Student
did not participate in all
aspects of the project.
Student did not work well with
group. Student input was
accurate and timely. Student
did not participate in all
aspects of the project.
Student did not work well with
group. Student input was not
always accurate and/or timely.
Student did not participate in
all aspects of the project.
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Conclusion
• Congratulations! Your group will prepare for the Poe Gala
Celebration in January 2009! Your group can also say you are an
expert on Edgar Allan Poe. Here are a few Web sites you can visit to
learn more about Poe, his work, and his lifestyle.
– E. A. Poe Society of Baltimore
– Poe’s Virtual Library
– Edgar Allan Poe’s House of Usher
– Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site
– Edgar Allan Poe Museum – Richmond, Virginia
– Edgar Allan Poe – Collected Works of the Master of the Macabre
– Edgar Allan Poe
– The Poe Studies Association
– American Masters Edgar Allan Poe/PBS
– Edgar Allan Poe: Once Upon a Midnight, starring John Astin
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Teacher’s Page
• Introduction:
– The lesson includes
activities designed to allow
students to investigate the
life of Edgar Allan Poe and
apply their research for the
assignment based on his
works.
– Students will read
biographies, short stories,
and poems. They will
create dramas and
produce documents based
on their understanding of
the selections read and
their research on Poe.
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• Learners:
– Students will read selected
works of Poe.
– After reading Poe’s
biography and developing
an understanding of the
lifestyle of Poe, students will
share their information on
Poe through drama, art,
and public speaking.
– This assignment integrates
language arts, computers
skills, art, drama, and
elements of character
education.
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Teacher’s Page
• Process:
– Students will read about
Poe and his history.
Students will also research
the history of the United
States during his lifetime to
create a timeline.
– Students will re-enact a
scene from one of Poe’s
poems or short stories
based on their research.
– Students will draw, paint,
create an image of Poe
through art.
– Students will write a 500word essay on Poe’s life
and its effects on his writing.
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• Resources:
– Click here.
– Additional resources
include:
• Books of poetry and
short stories from Edgar
Allan Poe.
• Computer access with
Internet access as well.
• Art access, either art
room or classroom, with
supplies to create
artwork.
• Evaluation:
– Click here.
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Teacher’s Rubric
Edgar Allan Poe Project for
American Literature
Excellent
Fair
Good
Poor
Research of Biographical
Information to create timeline
based on Poe and United
States of America from 18001850.
Collected all information
needed to apply biographical
data to the reading selection
plus accurately and clearly to
the timeline.
Collected most of information
needed and information meets
most but not all needs in
application to the reading
selection or for creation of
timeline.
Collected some information
but information is unclear in
application to the reading
selection or for creation of
timeline.
Did not collect information
needed for apply biography to
reading selection or for
creation of timeline.
Group presentation convinces
the audience to include the
selection in the upcoming
theatre presentation of Poe.
Uses original approach
effectively and is highly
organized. Well rehearsed
showing ease in delivery and
adequate preparation.
Uses original approach
effectively and is highly
organized but shows lack of
rehearsal with inadequate
delivery and preparation.
Approach is less than effective
and shows little organization.
Some evidence of rehearsal
but lacks delivery.
Approach is not effective and
shows minimum organization.
Little evidence of rehearsal
and lacks delivery.
The artwork suited the reading
selection and team made
good use of it in presentation.
Presentation of artwork was
effective and student use
showed expertise.
Presentation of artwork was
effective and student use
showed lack of expertise.
Presentation of artwork was not
best choice for selection and was
not as effective as other
mediums. Student use showed
lack of expertise.
Presentation medium/mode
was not effective. Student use
showed lack of expertise.
The essay prepared depicts
Poe’s lifestyle, showing
research and knowledge of
subject and relating his writing
to his every-day struggle.
Group offered well-written
piece with well-described
action to bring piece to life. An
interesting, highly organized
piece of writing.
Group offered well-written,
interesting piece. It has
accurate description and
keeps the readers’ interest.
Group offered an acceptably
written piece, readable. Some
description is incorporated into
the piece, but not much.
Group offered piece which
lacks facts, information about
historic figure. It is confusing
and difficult to read.
Individual student worked
cooperatively with teammates
and participated in elements
of the project.
Student worked well with
partner and group. Student
input was accurate and timely.
Student participated in all
aspects of the project.
Student worked well with
partner and group. Student
input was accurate and timely.
Student did not participate in
all aspects of the project.
Student did not work well with
partner and/or group. Student
input was accurate and timely.
Student did not participate in
all aspects of the project.
Student did not work well with
partner and/or group. Student
input was not always accurate
and/or timely. Student did not
participate in all aspects of the
project.
Project overall was
professional in both print and
non-print components.
Project included all
components and was
presented to the class in a
timely professional manner.
Project included all components
and was presented to the class
but lacked professional qualities
needed to be considered
superior.
Project included most all
components and was presented
to the class but lacked
professional qualities needed to
be considered sufficient.
Project did not include most all
components and was presented
to the class but lacked
professional qualities needed to
be considered sufficient or limited.
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Teacher’s Page
• Thank you. Additional links contributed to this
project:
– Edgar Allan Poe – Biography, Books, and Other Works
– Edgar Allan Poe
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Resources/Links
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E. A. Poe Society of Baltimore
Poe’s Virtual Library
Edgar Allan Poe’s House of Usher
Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site
Edgar Allan Poe Museum – Richmond, Virginia
Edgar Allan Poe – Collected Works of the Master of the
Macabre
Edgar Allan Poe
The Poe Studies Association
American Masters Edgar Allan Poe/PBS
Edgar Allan Poe: Once Upon a Midnight, starring John Astin
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