Consider providing the definition of the words scantlings (rafters or timbers that compose a house frame) and planks (a long, flat piece of timber). Why does he refer to the “precautions” as “wise”? Because they are carefully executed and he believes no one is going to detect anything: “I then replaced the boards so cleverly, so cunningly, that no human eye—not even his—could have detected any thing wrong.” The narrator believes that he will not seem mad because he behaves so wisely. Facilitate a discussion about Poe’s structural choices throughout paragraphs 8–13. What structural choices is Poe making throughout these paragraphs? Student responses may include: In paragraph 8, the narrator’s actions are moving slowly as exhibited by the repetition Poe uses. In paragraph 9 and 10, Poe stops the action of the story. The narrator is focused on the old man’s eye and hearing the old man’s beating heart. In paragraph 11, the story’s action is still moving slowly as the narrator fixates on the old man’s eye but continues to hear the beating heart grow “louder” and “quicker.” Poe uses punctuation to show the narrator’s growing excitement about the beating heart. This increases the suspense of the story, as the narrator grows more upset. In paragraphs 12 and 13, the story’s action resumes as the narrator calmly explains his plans for concealing the body. Remind students to think about the choices an author can make including using time, order of events, or text structure (RL.9-10.5). Activity 5: Quick Write 10% Instruct students to respond briefly in writing to the following prompt: How do Poe’s structural choices contribute to the development and refinement of a central idea? Remind students to use the Short Response Checklist and Rubric to guide their written responses. Display the prompt for students to see, or provide the prompt in hard copy. Students independently answer the prompt using evidence from the text. See the High Performance Response at the beginning of this lesson.
Consider providing the definition of the words scantlings (rafters or timbers that compose a house frame) and planks (a long, flat piece of timber). Why does he refer to the “precautions” as “wise”? Because they are carefully executed and he believes no one is going to detect anything: “I then replaced the boards so cleverly, so cunningly, that no human eye—not even his—could have detected any thing wrong.” The narrator believes that he will not seem mad because he behaves so wisely. Facilitate a discussion about Poe’s structural choices throughout paragraphs 8–13. What structural choices is Poe making throughout these paragraphs? Student responses may include: In paragraph 8, the narrator’s actions are moving slowly as exhibited by the repetition Poe uses. In paragraph 9 and 10, Poe stops the action of the story. The narrator is focused on the old man’s eye and hearing the old man’s beating heart. In paragraph 11, the story’s action is still moving slowly as the narrator fixates on the old man’s eye but continues to hear the beating heart grow “louder” and “quicker.” Poe uses punctuation to show the narrator’s growing excitement about the beating heart. This increases the suspense of the story, as the narrator grows more upset. In paragraphs 12 and 13, the story’s action resumes as the narrator calmly explains his plans for concealing the body. Remind students to think about the choices an author can make including using time, order of events, or text structure (RL.9-10.5). Activity 5: Quick Write 10% Instruct students to respond briefly in writing to the following prompt: How do Poe’s structural choices contribute to the development and refinement of a central idea? Remind students to use the Short Response Checklist and Rubric to guide their written responses. Display the prompt for students to see, or provide the prompt in hard copy. Students independently answer the prompt using evidence from the text. See the High Performance Response at the beginning of this lesson.