“The Highwayman” by
Alfred Noyes
Close Reading and Vocabulary Development
Vocabulary Development
Using the Vocabulary CODE strategy from The Core Six
Close Reading the Text
Step 1: What is this text about?
On the top of the first page of the poem,
write down what you believe the poem is
about.
Step 2: Read the poem again for increased
comprehension.
Complex texts often require multiple
readings in order to truly understand them.
Step 3: Label the rhyme scheme.
Did you notice a flow while you were reading? One
reason for this is the rhyme scheme the author
utilized throughout.
Step 4: Read again and annotate.
As you move through the poem again, please use
the following concepts as a guide to your
annotation.
What type of poem is “The Highwayman”?
Why do you believe this to be so?
Ask questions of the text as you read. Be
sure to write these questions down on the
page.
Summarize each stanza. Support summaries
with key ideas and words in the margins.
Make note of the author’s use of language,
both literal and figurative, by identifying
literary devices used throughout.
• Circle all the words or phrases that reference color.
• Box all words or phrases that reference sound.
Make connections between this poem and other texts.
Be specific and focus on key ideas, events, and
theme(s).
Step 5: Use the annotated text, notes, and
summaries to answer text dependent questions.
Annotating text allows you to know it in detail so
that you can produce high quality evidence for
your answers. When answering a text dependent
question, use quotes from the text to support
your answer.