A Multi-Faceted Lesson Plan for Teaching

Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven”

Get everyone involved! Build fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and analysis
skills all in one short lesson.

I use this lesson with my 11th grade American lit/intensive reading class; however, it would work just as
well in any reading or literature class. On the first day, each student works with a single stanza of the
poem and then on the second day, we present and discuss the poem as a whole.

First, I play an audio recording of the whole poem without any real introduction other than the fact that
this is a very famous poem and we’re going to be studying it for the next two days. Afterwards, I give
each student a single stanza to work with as we begin our study of the poem.

Each of the eighteen stanzas is printed on a single page. Between three and eight words/phrases are
underlined in each stanza. Students are instructed to find the definitions of these words—they can use
their literature books and/or a dictionary to help them. You can differentiate instruction by selecting
which stanza each student will work with based on the difficulty of the language and concept.

The second step in the assignment is for the student to complete a Text Reformulation—rewrite the stanza
in his/her own words, demonstrating comprehension. Then, the students analyze their stanza and
determine the Most Important Word in the stanza and justify their choice with a written explanation.

To improve fluency, students are instructed to read the poem aloud at least ten times and to have their
listeners sign their worksheet as proof they have read the poem. I make sure they know that I know they
are likely to forge the signatures, but that the truth will show when it comes to time to read the poem
tomorrow. Those that honestly practiced will be rewarded with higher grades on the reading.

The following day, we sit in a circle in order of our stanzas and complete a first reading of the entire
poem—each student reading his/her stanza. I take off points for mispronunciations and failure to follow
punctuation marks. I might add points for especially dramatic readings.

Then, using our literature books with the complete text in front of us, we go back through the poem, one
stanza at a time. Students share their reformulations this time and then explain to the class what they
think is going on in each of the stanzas. I help bridge the connections between stanzas the kids don’t
recognize and also stop occasionally for a more comprehensive summary of “what’s happened so far?”
The kids enjoy seeing how their “piece of the puzzle” fits into the larger poem, and each student was
intimately involved in the process, rather than a passive receiver of a summary of the poem.

When I do this next year, I might add a drawing component, although that would probably lengthen the
process. I think, however, it would add a little more interest and push the kids to come to a deeper
understanding of their stanza if they were required to illustrate the stanza, demonstrating what they
visualized as they read. We could post the pictures in order on the wall and have a good summary of the
poem to refer back to as we continued our unit on American Romanticism.

© 2008 This lesson was created by Julie M. Conlon and is available at www.TeachersPayTeachers.com.
 The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe Stanza 1
Fluency Practice
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Read the original stanza
aloud to someone else at
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
least ten times. Have your
listeners sign below after
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, you have read:

As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. 1. __________________

`'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door - 2. __________________

3. __________________
Only this, and nothing more.'
4. __________________
Definitions of underlined words: (Make sure your definitions fit 5. __________________
the context of this stanza.)
6. __________________

7. __________________

8. __________________

9. __________________

10. _________________

Text Reformulation

The most important word in this stanza is ___________________ because _______

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

.
 The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe Stanza 2
Fluency Practice
Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December, Read the original stanza
aloud to someone else at
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor. least ten times. Have your
listeners sign below after
Eagerly I wished the morrow; - vainly I had sought to borrow you have read:

1. __________________
From my books surcease of sorrow - sorrow for the lost Lenore -
2. __________________
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels named Lenore -
3. __________________
Nameless here for evermore.
4. __________________
Definitions of underlined words: (Make sure your definitions fit 5. __________________
the context of this stanza.)
6. __________________

7. __________________

8. __________________

9. __________________

10. _________________

Text Reformulation

The most important word in this stanza is ___________________ because _______

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

.
The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe Stanza 3 Fluency Practice

Read the original stanza

And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
aloud to someone else at
least ten times. Have your
Thrilled me - filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before; listeners sign below after
you have read:
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
1. __________________
`'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door -
2. __________________
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door; - 3. __________________

This it is, and nothing more,' 4. __________________

Definitions of underlined words: (Make sure your definitions fit 5. __________________

the context of this stanza.)
6. __________________

7. __________________

8. __________________

9. __________________

10. _________________

Text Reformulation

The most important word in this stanza is ___________________ because _______

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

.
The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe Stanza 4
Fluency Practice
Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
Read the original stanza
`Sir,' said I, `or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore; aloud to someone else at
least ten times. Have your
listeners sign below after
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping, you have read:

And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door, 1. __________________

That I scarce was sure I heard you' - here I opened wide the door; - 2. __________________

3. __________________
Darkness there, and nothing more.
4. __________________
Definitions of underlined words: (Make sure your definitions fit 5. __________________
the context of this stanza.)
6. __________________

7. __________________

8. __________________

9. __________________

10. _________________

Text Reformulation

The most important word in this stanza is ___________________ because _______

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

.
 The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe Stanza 5
Fluency Practice
Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Read the original stanza
aloud to someone else at
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before
least ten times. Have your
listeners sign below after
But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token, you have read:

And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, `Lenore!' 1. __________________

This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, `Lenore!' 2. __________________

3. __________________
Merely this and nothing more.
4. __________________
Definitions of underlined words: (Make sure your definitions fit 5. __________________
the context of this stanza.)
6. __________________

7. __________________

8. __________________

9. __________________

10. _________________

Text Reformulation

The most important word in this stanza is ___________________ because _______

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

.
 The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe Stanza 6
Fluency Practice
Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Read the original stanza
aloud to someone else at
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
least ten times. Have your
listeners sign below after
`Surely,' said I, `surely that is something at my window lattice; you have read:

Let me see then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore - 1. __________________

Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore; - 2. __________________

3. __________________
'Tis the wind and nothing more!'
4. __________________
Definitions of underlined words: (Make sure your definitions fit 5. __________________
the context of this stanza.)
6. __________________

7. __________________

8. __________________

9. __________________

10. _________________

Text Reformulation

The most important word in this stanza is ___________________ because _______

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

.
 The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe Stanza 7
Fluency Practice
Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
Read the original stanza
aloud to someone else at
In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore.
least ten times. Have your
listeners sign below after
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he; you have read:

But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door - 1. __________________

Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door - 2. __________________

3. __________________
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.
4. __________________
Definitions of underlined words: (Make sure your definitions fit 5. __________________
the context of this stanza.)
6. __________________

7. __________________

8. __________________

9. __________________

10. _________________

Text Reformulation

The most important word in this stanza is ___________________ because _______

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

.
 The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe Stanza 8
Fluency Practice
Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
Read the original stanza
aloud to someone else at
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
least ten times. Have your
listeners sign below after
`Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,' I said, `art sure no craven. you have read:

Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the nightly shore - 1. __________________

Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!' 2. __________________

3. __________________
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'
4. __________________
Definitions of underlined words: (Make sure your definitions fit 5. __________________
the context of this stanza.)
6. __________________

7. __________________

8. __________________

9. __________________

10. _________________

Text Reformulation

The most important word in this stanza is ___________________ because _______

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

.
 The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe Stanza 9
Fluency Practice
Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Read the original stanza
aloud to someone else at
Though its answer little meaning - little relevancy bore;
least ten times. Have your
listeners sign below after
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being you have read:

Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door - 1. __________________

Bird or beast above the sculptured bust above his chamber door, 2. __________________

3. __________________
With such name as `Nevermore.'
4. __________________
Definitions of underlined words: (Make sure your definitions fit 5. __________________
the context of this stanza.)
6. __________________

7. __________________

8. __________________

9. __________________

10. _________________

Text Reformulation

The most important word in this stanza is ___________________ because _______

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

.
 The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe Stanza 10
Fluency Practice
But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only,
Read the original stanza
aloud to someone else at
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
least ten times. Have your
listeners sign below after
Nothing further then he uttered - not a feather then he fluttered - you have read:

Till I scarcely more than muttered `Other friends have flown before - 1. __________________

On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.' 2. __________________

3. __________________
Then the bird said, `Nevermore.'
4. __________________
Definitions of underlined words: (Make sure your definitions fit 5. __________________
the context of this stanza.)
Placid: easy-going/ calm 6. __________________
Bust: life-sized statue of a persons head and shoulders
Outpour 7. __________________
scarcely
morrow 8. __________________

9. __________________

10. _________________

Text Reformulation
The raven only said that one word and then remained silent.
He was silent and still as he sat there on the statue.
The narrator returns to his gloomy state and whispers
about past relationships with friends that left him feeling
neglected, just as this bird will probably make him feel the same way.
The bird responds once more by saying: “Nevermore.”

Nevermore
The most important word in this stanza is ___________________ because _______

Then the bird said “Nevermore.” After speaking that one word, the raven did not utter another word.
______________________________________________________________________
He sat there on the statue, very still and quiet. The narrator returns to his grim mood and mutters
about having friends who have left him feeling abandoned, just like this bird will likely do.
______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

.
 The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe Stanza 11
Fluency Practice
Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
Read the original stanza
aloud to someone else at
`Doubtless,' said I, `what it utters is its only stock and store,
least ten times. Have your
listeners sign below after
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful disaster you have read:

Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore - 1. __________________

Till the dirges of his hope that melancholy burden bore 2. __________________

3. __________________
Of "Never-nevermore."'
4. __________________
Definitions of underlined words: (Make sure your definitions fit 5. __________________
the context of this stanza.)
Aptly: in a complete capapble manner 6. __________________
Stock and store: only thing that he has got
unmerciful: lacking pity, compassion, or forgiveness 7. __________________
burden:The Chorus of refrain of a song
dirges: funeral song 8. __________________
melancholy:sad and gloomy 9. __________________

10. _________________

Text Reformulation

The raven’s abrupt response surprised the narrator.

The raven only knows this one word, which it acquired from “some unhappy master,” he believes.
He assumes that the owner of this raven must have endured a significant deal of hardship, and as a result,
he likely constantly repeated the word “nevermore,” from which he thinks the bird learned it.

unmerciful disaster
The most important word in this stanza is ___________________ because _______

It is personification
______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

.
 The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe Stanza 12
Fluency Practice
But the raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,
Read the original stanza
aloud to someone else at
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird and bust and door;
least ten times. Have your
listeners sign below after
Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking you have read:

Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore - 1. __________________

What this grim, ungainly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore 2. __________________

3. __________________
Meant in croaking `Nevermore.'
4. __________________
Definitions of underlined words: (Make sure your definitions fit 5. __________________
the context of this stanza.)
beguiling:charmed/fascinated 6. __________________
bust: a statue of a head
betook: 7. __________________
ominous:warning/threatening
ungainly: 8. __________________
gaunt: very thin especially for disease or hunger
9. __________________

10. _________________

Text Reformulation

The speaker acknowledges that he is captivated by this raven. I

n essence, he arranges his chair such that he is directly in front of the bird,
gazing at it closely. He begins to repeat the term “nevermore,” concentrating his thoughts
on the raven and what it might be implying.

The most important word in this stanza is ___________________ because _______

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

.
 The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe Stanza 13
Fluency Practice
This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
Read the original stanza
aloud to someone else at
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;
least ten times. Have your
listeners sign below after
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining you have read:

On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o'er, 1. __________________

But whose velvet violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o'er, 2. __________________

3. __________________
She shall press, ah, nevermore!
4. __________________
Definitions of underlined words: (Make sure your definitions fit 5. __________________
the context of this stanza.)
fowl: 6. __________________
bosom's: breast
diving: guessing from incomplete evidence 7. __________________
gloated: malicious satisfaction
8. __________________

9. __________________

10. _________________

Text Reformulation

Without really saying out loud, he sits there forming explanations in his head to reason
for the raven’s actions. Its “fiery eyes” seemed to be able to see right through him and into his soul.
He sits on a plush velvet cushion in the room’s central focus as he continues to think.
He is then struck by the heart-breaking realization that Lenore will never again have
the opportunity to touch the pillow because of her departure as he notices the cushion
shimmering in the lamplight.

The most important word in this stanza is ___________________ because _______

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

.
 The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe Stanza 14
Fluency Practice
Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Read the original stanza
aloud to someone else at
Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.
least ten times. Have your
listeners sign below after
`Wretch,' I cried, `thy God hath lent thee - by these angels he has sent thee you have read:

Respite - respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore! 1. __________________

Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe, and forget this lost Lenore!' 2. __________________

3. __________________
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'
4. __________________
Definitions of underlined words: (Make sure your definitions fit 5. __________________
the context of this stanza.)
methought 6. __________________
censer:ghost
Seraphim:angels of the highest order 7. __________________
tufted: having or adorned with tufts
respite: temperoray relief and a forgetfulness that ease grief 8. __________________
nepenthe:drug that makes you unconscious
quaff: drink deeply 9. __________________
Quoth:
10. _________________

Text Reformulation

The narrator appears to start hallucinating at this point; perhaps he is caught up in his own thoughts.
He begins to notice that a perfume is infusing in the air strongly around him.
He believes that angels are bringing him this perfume there.
He refers to himself as a loser and says that he believes this is God telling him to forget Lenore;
he compares the scent to “nepenthe,” an imaginary antidote for grief from Greek mythology.
He literally yells at himself to take this medicine and get over his sorrow about losing Lenore.
The raven declares: “Nevermore,” again!

The most important word in this stanza is ___________________ because _______

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

.
 The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe Stanza 15
Fluency Practice
`Prophet!' said I, `thing of evil! - prophet still, if bird or devil! -
Read the original stanza
aloud to someone else at
Whether tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
least ten times. Have your
listeners sign below after
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted - you have read:

On this home by horror haunted - tell me truly, I implore - 1. __________________

Is there - is there balm in Gilead? - tell me - tell me, I implore!' 2. __________________

3. __________________
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'
4. __________________
Definitions of underlined words: (Make sure your definitions fit 5. __________________
the context of this stanza.)
Prophet: someone who speaks by divine inspiration 6. __________________
tempter:The Devil
tempest: windy violent storm 7. __________________
desolate: providing no shelter or sustenance
undaunted: resolutely courage 8. __________________
implore: beg or request earnessly and urgently
balm in Gilead:medicine to relieve pain and suffering 9. __________________
Quoth
10. _________________

Text Reformulation

He now begins to yell at the bird, referring to it as a prophet and an evil entity.
He is unsure about what to make of the bird; did Satan send it his way, or was it pushed by a storm?
He continues by stating that the raven remains unaffected by his yelling,
despite the fact that it is alone in his presence.
He describes his home as a desolate land that is haunted and filled with horrors.
He asks the raven if there is any possibility of goodness or peace in the future,
and the raven replies, “Nevermore.”

The most important word in this stanza is ___________________ because _______

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

.
 The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe Stanza 16
Fluency Practice
`Prophet!' said I, `thing of evil! - prophet still, if bird or devil!
Read the original stanza
aloud to someone else at
By that Heaven that bends above us - by that God we both adore -
least ten times. Have your
listeners sign below after
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn, you have read:

It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels named Lenore - 1. __________________

Clasp a rare and radiant maiden, whom the angels named Lenore?' 2. __________________

3. __________________
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'
4. __________________
Definitions of underlined words: (Make sure your definitions fit 5. __________________
the context of this stanza.)
Prophet: someone who speaks by divine inspiration 6. __________________
laden: filled with great quantity
Aidenn:Like Eden/ meaning - in heaven 7. __________________
Quoth
8. __________________

9. __________________

10. _________________

Text Reformulation

He screams at the bird once more, calling it a prophet and a devil.

He then asks the raven if he would ever be able to get a hold of Lenore again, and as expected,
the raven replies, “Nevermore.”

The most important word in this stanza is ___________________ because _______

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

.
 The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe Stanza 17
Fluency Practice
`Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!' I shrieked upstarting -
Read the original stanza
aloud to someone else at
`Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!
least ten times. Have your
listeners sign below after
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken! you have read:

Leave my loneliness unbroken! - quit the bust above my door! 1. __________________

Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!' 2. __________________

3. __________________
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'
4. __________________
Definitions of underlined words: (Make sure your definitions fit 5. __________________
the context of this stanza.)
upstarting 6. __________________
tempest: windy violent storm
Night's Plutonian shore 7. __________________
Plume:feather
hath 8. __________________
bust:life-sized statue of a persons head and shoulder
Quoth 9. __________________

10. _________________

Text Reformulation

The storyteller, who is stricken with sorrow, loses it when the raven responds.
He yells at the raven to get out of his chamber, return to the storm it came from, a
nd not even leave a sign that it had been there. He doesn’t want to face the truth of his melancholy;
he just wants to live in it. The answers the bird gave him are not something he wants to deal with.
He keeps screaming for the bird to leave and

The most important word in this stanza is ___________________ because _______

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

.
 The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe Stanza 18
Fluency Practice
And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
Read the original stanza
aloud to someone else at
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
least ten times. Have your
listeners sign below after
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming, you have read:

And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor; 1. __________________

And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor 2. __________________

3. __________________
Shall be lifted - nevermore!
4. __________________
Definitions of underlined words: (Make sure your definitions fit 5. __________________
the context of this stanza.)
flitting: move along rapidly and lightly, skim or dart 6. __________________
pallid:white/ pale/ colourless
bust of pallas:Greek God of wisdom and the Arts 7. __________________
chamber:large room used for meeting people
8. __________________

9. __________________

10. _________________

Text Reformulation

The raven is still there, the speaker says, perched on the statue of Pallas,
its eyes gleaming almost devilish in appearance. The raven is illuminated by the lamp,
which casts a shadow on the ground that imprisons his soul and prevents it from ever being released.

still is sitting
The most important word in this stanza is ___________________ because _______

resents the Raven's presence in the room

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________