This collection looks at an image and phrase used widely in abolitionist materials, and at how that symbol was adopted and adapted by Sojourner Truth and/or other women's rights activists. Students will examine an abolitionist medallion...

This site from the University of Illinois contains great information on Gary Snyder. The information is presented in a link format with links to various topics, such as: biography, chronology, online interviews, online poems, and on...

This lesson discusses Sylvia Plath's works including The Bell Jar. It has learners look at biographic information and commentaries about Plath. As students read the novel, they complete response logs and write essays. They debate topics...

Short encyclopedia article from Wikipedia that defines and gives historical context to free verse poetry. Although no examples are given, there are links to related topics available.

A psychoanalytical look at Wordsworth, with comparision to Freud, using his writings. A very detailed exploration of this topic.

This lesson introduces the topic of assonance.

A brief note about the English lyric poetry prior to Chaucer and how it relates to Chaucer's "tales." Links provided to related topics.

The Emily Dickinson Museum in Amherst, Massachusetts offers a companion website with a wealth of information on Dickinson's life, including an illustrated timeline and a variety of short essays about special topics related to Dickinson's...

Section of the University Interscholastic League's home page dedicated to Speech and Debate information. Included is a wealth of information about participating in speech and debate tournaments and contests. Topics include general...

Interesting commentary and analysis of Ovid's "Metamorphoses". Examples in the essay are linked to the poem itself. Topics range from the nature of the gods and goddess to many Roman virtues. Good reading!

This site explains the basics for the writing contest, which is open to all students. There are contests in poetry, narration, and exposition. The topic is the same for all three forms and links are provided for the judging criteria.

From Romantic poetry to Gothic horror, from depictions of poverty and industrialization to portrayals of the middle classes, and from crime fiction to fin de siecle decadence: the literary works of the Romantic and Victorian periods...

This lesson plan deals with the process of analyzing a variety of literary texts from poetry and letters to diary entries and works of fiction. Included in the lesson plan is an overview, practice, objectives, resources, preparation, and...

For this lesson, the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, is used to get students to explore point of view and issues related voice in writing and social justice. This lesson requires the students to analyze and discuss...

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,...

A collection of differentiated reading activities are provided in this collection. Worksheets for the following reading topics are included: climax, story structure, elements of a story; fact and opinion; summarizing, narrative sequence;...

In this lesson plan learners listen and participate by filling in missing words as the teacher reads a silly poem about places where animals might live. Students are required to draw pictures representing both their favorite nonsense...

A NASA scientist, Dr. Sten Odenwald, answers many students' questions. Topics include planets, galaxies, black holes, the origin of the universe, and common misconceptions about space.

This site provides activities, games, tests, and worksheets in reading areas: deduction, dictionaries, poetry, and non-fiction.

This lesson plan hinges on an essay detailing Longfellow's meeting with Ferdinand Freiligrath. Includes the essay itself, illustrations, excerpts of poetry and suggested discussion topics.

This resource presents many guidelines here that will be helpful as you write your first draft. Click on the topic you want to know more about and the guidelines will load.

Many students are used to writing narratives - stories, description, even poetry, but have little experience with analytical writing. This article is an introduction to six analytical text structures, useful across content areas. See...

Biography and analysis of the works of John Greenleaf Whittier. Describes his Quaker upbringing, his role as an abolitionist, honors bestowed upon him, and his ballads. Includes analysis of his anti-slavery poetry and "Snow-Bound." Use...

An interesting display of the modern epic of a whale hunt by Inupiat Eskimos. Follow the hunt from preparation to the end in these pictures from Jonathan Harris. Be sure to click on the topics on the left of the screen to read about how...