Edgar Allan Poe: Mystery of a "Dark Writer"

Web Quest - 8th Grade Language Arts 

Introduction (back to top)
Edgar Allan Poe has been acclaimed as one of the greatest American writers.  Although Poe's poetry and short stories were written almost two hundred years ago, they are still read and enjoyed today.  Like the modern-day writer, Stephen King, Poe is heralded as a master of horror and suspense.

Much of Poe's life is shrouded by mystery and conjecture.  Known as a "dark writer," researchers and historians have sought to link the moods and themes of Poe's writing to the unfortunate circumstances and nature of Poe's life.
 

Task (back to top)

Working as part of a collaborative team, you will:

• Find answers for the "Poe Scavenger Hunt" questions.

Process (back to top)

• Introduce the unit.
• Distribute "Poe Scavenger Hunt" forms to each student.
• Divide students into research teams and go to computer lab.
• Using the following resources, each team members will answer the "Poe Scavenger Hunt" questions.  Each student is responsible for handing in a completed form to Mrs. Nixon for grading.
• The Biographical Dictionary
• Poe's Chronology
• 203 North Amity Street
• Poe, Drugs and Alcohol
• Poe's Middle Name
• Poe's Enduring Fame
• It'll Be the Death of Me
• Annotated Poe ("The Raven")
• Interactive "Raven"
• Following the scavenger hunt, team members will be asked to rate the performance of his/her peers on the group work.

• The "Poe Scavenger Hunt" forms will be turned in to Mrs. Nixon for grading.
• A scoring guide will be used to rate your performance as a group member.  Each group member will complete a scoring guide for his/her teammates.

Disclaimer (back to top)
Web site Information Last Updated:  August 8, 2003
Web master:  M. Nixon (cnixon@willard.k12.mo.us)
Copyright:  All information may be freely copied.
Statement of Web Site Liability:  We intend the information contained in this web site to be accurate and reliable.
However, errors may occasionally occur. Therefore, all information and materials are provided "AS IS." In no event will
we be liable for any indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of the use of the information
contained in this web site. Mention of third party companies and products on this web site is for informational purposes
only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation. This site makes no representations whatsoever
about any other web sites that you may access from our web site. When you access a another web site, please
understand that it is independent from this web site and that we have no control over the content on that web site. A
link to another web site does not mean that we endorse or accept any responsibility for the content or use of such web sites.