WebQuest!!!!!

Edgar Allen Poe
A WebQuest

Here’s the situation: You’ve just read the classic Edgar Allen Poe poem The Raven in class, but you have no idea what it’s about. The text made some brief allusions to who might be at the door, but you don’t know enough about who this creepy Poe guy is or why he’s obsessed with Ravens.

The Task

Working in small assigned groups of two or three you should divide up the task of finding out about Edgar Allen Poe. You’ll have a little time to divide up the work and then get going. Don’t forget to check in with each other from time to time to see how it is going! During our next class period we’ll get the groups back together so you can go over what you’ve learned. Then your group can teach the rest of us what you’ve learned!

Questions:

1. How did Poe die?
2. What happens at Poe’s grave every year?
3. What was Poe’s romantic life like?
4. How did Poe’s professional life go?
5. What jobs did he have?
6. Was Poe’s work popular when he was alive?
7. What else did Poe write?
8. Why does Poe get his own museum?
9. What is gothic literature?
10. What impact did Poe have on the short story (trick question)?

Resources:

1. This is a very short biography.



2. You can dig into his collected works here.


3. If you want to slide all over the place try this webliogrophy.



4. If you want to read what the snooty people think try the museum.



5. For another good source on Poe’s biography with some interesting observations.


6. If you want to check out Poe’s Pad go here.


7. Wikipedia is always comprehensive and will give you lots of other links to try!!



Conclusion:

With all of us researching we’re not going to find the same things or even have the same take on what we find so make sure and talk over all you’ve got in your groups and decide what’s worth sharing with the rest of us.