Discover how literary techniques like figurative language, imagery, and symbolism contribute to the overall meaning of a poem. Explore how a poet establishes and builds on a theme and the difference between tone and mood. Through a close...

This is a 2-page PDF of a chart that lists eight elements of poetry, questions to ask concerning each element, and tips and explanations to aid the understanding of each element. RL.9-10.5 text structure effects

This resource explains how to approach an analysis of a poem. It discusses assumptions people may have, the importance of reading it closely before analyzing it, looking at the stanza structure, the type of poem, the sound patterns,...

Explore a wealth of poems, lesson plans, and classroom activities to help elementary school students discover the diversity in African-American poets and create their own voice in poetry. PDF (requires Adobe Reader).

A short but informational worksheet for students on the rhythmical sounds of poetry. Includes information about the different types of meter and feet, and allows students to make connections and analysis.

These animated shorts introduce or review literary elements and techniques like theme, setting, figurative language, characterization, and conflict. They can be used when students are just learning how to identify the most commonly used...

A poem from Emily Dickinson, "Pain Has an Element of Blank", is provided on this site. Students may listen to this poem read aloud by Angelo Gladding and can access a printable version of this piece.

OnTRACK English II Reading, Module 3, Lessons 1-12, and Practice Lessons 1-3. Students understand, make inferences and draw conclusions about the structure and elements of poetry, drama, fiction, and literary non-fiction, and provide...

This lesson focuses on the how to approach the analysis of poetry. It provides a series of student activities such as having students read and compare a draft and the final version of William Blake's "Tyger" which is followed by a...

[Free Registration/Login Required] A site with links to 8 worksheets that can be downloaded and printed for student use while building skills with standard RL.4.5: Explain major differences between poems, drama, and prose, and refer to...

A learning module with fifteen links to a slideshow, videos, texts, and websites on elements of poetry, figurative language, and different types of poetry.

This online book presents an overview of American literature chronologically. Eras and movements are explained and biographies of significant authors are provided. This is a good way to understand the background and influences of...

A background for the Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf, to the time period in which it was created, and about the concept of the Epic Hero.

Twenty-six half hour videos on literary analysis for high school students that feature authors, scholars, actors and noted critics. Topics include The Art of the Essay, Setting and Character in Short Fiction, Responding to Literature and...

In this lesson, young scholars interpret a poem called 'The Little Blue Engine' by adding music, movement, visual art, and drama. After performing their creation, they will discuss any mathematical and/or scientific connections that have...

This site contains biographical content drawn from the American Masters Series DVD entitled The Life And Times of Allen Ginsberg. The person featured,Allen Ginsberg, was one of the first "beat" poets. His counterculture experimentation...

An online model of a twelfth-grade analysis of the poem "Porphyria's Lover" by Robert Browning. Provides excellent style, structure, and analytical techniques, as well as notations and aids for student support. Requires Adobe Reader. [PDF]

A series of 24 instructional videos, each about 30 minutes in length, designed to teach literary analysis. Topics include Responding to Literature, The Elements of Short Fiction, Tone and Style in Short fiction, The Elements of Poetry,...

You will learn the importance of graphical elements (e.g., capital letters, line length, word position) in the meaning of a poem.

Come and check out this incredible resource from the University of Oregon. This site features links to creative-writing for poetry and fiction, as well as other teacher resources.

Each student will create a poem about an element on the periodic table. The poems will be placed in the appropriate "square" to create a large periodic table wall hanging. This project will require the collaborative work of several...

This entry, from the Cambridge History of English and American Literature, provides a description of the poetry written in the second half of the nineteenth century by poets of the American West, namely Bret Harte. It examines common...

[Free Registration/Login Required] This flip chart explores the elements of Cinquain poetry. Students analyze the structure and create original Cinquains.

This site provides a brief biography of author, Gary Soto, and includes links to his current works.