Edgar Allan Poe
Father of Horror

Name: _______________

Block: _______

Mr. Collinsworth

Designed by
Becky Oakley 
Cynthia Wilson 

Adapted for Mr. Collinsworth's
American Literature Classes


 

Introduction

Everyone loves a horror story. Stephen King, the master of 20th century horror has over forty novels and numerous box office hits. From his first novel and movie hit Carrie in 1974 to his latest movie hit The Green Mile, Stephen King is often compared to the 18th century weaver of horror tales, Edgar Allan Poe. Poe's troubling life shaped his stories of hauntings and death.

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The Task

The local theatre consortium has decided to hold a Poe Festival. They have narrowed the number of selections to six. You are part of a team that will research Poe's life and works to help the consortium decide which of the six they will include in the Festival.

You will create a program and a playbill that includes:

  • graphics to illustrate the theme of the work

  • a timeline of major events in Poe's life biography

  • a short biography of events that affected his life and works

  • a cast/character list

  • a breakdown of your literary work's plot in acts and scenes

    • You will present your literary selection to the theatre consortium using your choice of video, PowerPoint, or live dramatization.

     

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    The Process

    To accomplish the task, you will first be assigned to a team based on the literary work you will present to the consortium. Your team must become an expert on Poe's life and the events that later affected your literary work. Visit the Poe Museum to divide up the research and coordinate your teams efforts to find out more about Poe's life. Once you have finished your research, come back together as a team and create a timeline of important events from Poe's life that affected his works.

    Poe
    Museum

    Second, your team needs to read and research the literary work. Visit your wing in the Poe Library to read your literary work and find links to help you research the work itself. Visit the Glossary Page to refresh you on terms and concepts found in the short story or narrative poem.

     

    Premature Burial

    Tell-Tale Heart

    The Raven

    Annabel Lee

    Ms. Found in a Bottle

    Murders in the Rue Morgue

    Pit and the Pendulum

    Third, once you have completed the museum task, your team needs to decide how you want to present your literary selection to the theatre consortium. For ideas on different types of presentations and tips for great presentations visit the Visual and Dramatic Arts Presentation Workshop.

    Presentation
    Work Shop

    Last, you need to bring together all your information by creating your program and playbill. A playbill is simply a poster that includes the title of your literary work, a visual illustrate the work, and a list of characters. The program should be a regular size sheet of paper folded once to create four (4) sides. On the cover put the title and an illustration. On the inside of the cover, put Poe's biography making sure to include all the details required. On the inside left place the literary work outline that is divided by acts and scenes so that the audience can follow your performance. Along the bottom of the inside pages, copy your timeline of events you found affected your literary selection. Finally place the character/cast on the back cover. Make sure to give your team credits on the bottom back cover.

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    Evaluation/Rubric

    It's time to take a look a how your team has done. Click on RUBRIC to begin your evaluation. You will be evaluated on how well you completed each task. Your team will be evaluated plus as a group you will have the opportunity to give feedback on how each member participated during the Web Quest.
     

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    Conclusion

    Congratulations! You are now an expert on the life of Edgar Allan Poe. Having read at least one of his literary selections, you are now ready to move on. Here are a few web sites you can visit to read more of Poe's work and life.

    Poe Library
    Poe from National Parks Site
    The House of Usher
    Richmond Museum--a must see
    Poe's favorites

    Credits & References

    Text:
    Bower, Ellen. Prentice Hall Literature Silver. Prentice Hall: New Jersey, 1994.

    CD-Rom:
    10,000 Graphics Pack Volume 3, Media Graphics, 1997.

    Websites:
    Thanks for allowing links, images, and other help for our     Web Quest:
     Boogiejack's Web Depot (Graphics Site)
    Realm of the Mad     (On Poe)
    National Park Service Info on Historic Homes     (Poe's home and bio)
    Poe's Virtual Library (Poe and Graphics)
    Richmond Museum
    Landmarks for Schools

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    Last updated on December 9, 2004
    Based on a template from The Web         Quest Page

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