When teaching Poetry, it is often helpful to refresh or introduce students with technical words. Terms like 'metaphor', 'simile', 'stanza', 'alliteration', 'personification', 'rhyme scheme', and 'onomatopoeia' are a few important terms.
After you have read the poem ask your students to do a scavenger hunt using the storyboard creator. Give them the list again and have them create a storyboard that depicts and explains the use of each literary element in the poem! They will have an absolute blast and earn mastery of the words when they are completed. Check out the example storyboard above!
| DESCRIPTION | EXAMPLE | |
|---|---|---|
| Alliteration | Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginnings of words in a sentence or line | "While I pondered weak and weary" |
| Simile | A comparison using 'like' or 'as' | "Suddenly there came a tapping, as of someone gently rapping" |
| Metaphor | An implied comparison between two things | "And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor" | Personification | Giving human-like characteristics to non-human objects or abstract ideas | "[T]he Raven, sitting lonely [...] spoke only, That one word, as if his soul [...] he did outpour." |
| Onomatopoeia | The spelling of a word mimics the sound it represents | "...and so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door" |
| Assonance | The repetition of a vowel sound | "rustling of each purple curtain, Thrilled me—filled me" |
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows five or more examples of literary elements in The Raven.
Introduce assonance to the class by explaining that it is the technical term for words that have the same vowel sound. The 'a' sound, for instance, is shared by "hat" and "mat". Explain when and how this concept can be used and tell the students the significance of the concept. If teachers want to make the lecture more detailed, they can also introduce the origin of the concept.
List words that have the same vowel sound. Taking "take" and "bake," for example, they both have the 'a' sound. Teachers can further explain the concept using simple examples that students are able to understand and grasp easily. Ask the students to give examples as well once they are more familiar with the concept to assess their understanding.
Let the students take turns thinking of words that start with the same letter in a game you may play. Students might respond with "moon," "spoon," or "balloon," for instance, if the sound of the day is "oo." Teachers can also give one word and ask the students to give a word with similar vowel sounds. This will help students gain a deeper understanding of the concept and improve their vocabulary.
Give students exercises or worksheets to practice recognizing and producing assonance. Teachers can reinforce the concept by connecting with other concepts. For instance, while working on vocabulary teachers can talk about assonance.
Encourage the students to use the concept to create little poems or phrases. Poem writing can also enhance many other aspects of learning and help the students use their ideas and imagination and put them into words.
The raven is symbolic of many things, including sadness, loss, and unfavorable news. The room represents the gloomy, memory-haunted mind of the storyteller. Poe has used the Raven and the room as a symbol in his poem which plays a major role in the narrative.
The poem takes on a melodic and rhythmic feel via the use of alliteration (repetition of beginning consonant sounds) and assonance (repetition of vowel sounds). Additionally, they contribute to the poem's general flow and highlight certain phrases.
Other literary elements such as simile, metaphor, personification, refrain, and onomatopoeia also play an important role in building suspense and mystery in the poem. Teachers can explain each element individually and with simple examples for students to understand the concept.