Edgar Allan Poe - The Tell-Tale Heart, Short Story Seminar
In this three-part seminar, students will read the short story, The Tell-Tale Heart, by Edgar Allan Poe to discuss the elements that make it the widely studied and widely revered literature within Early American Literature.
Mark Snyder Jr MEd, EdS
What's included
3 live meetings
2 hrs 45 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 6 - 9
In this seminar course, The Tell-Tale Heart, by Edgar Allan Poe, we will be diving deep into the world of fiction, short-story as well as within all of the symbols present in the spooky world of Poe. We will cover several topics related to reading and responding to literature, in this case, American Literature. We will have a discussion on the author and his place in the canon of American Literature, as well as his personal life and the controversies that surrounded him while he was living. I will also read the story in three distinct sections (3 paragraphs per 55-minute session). I will also show visual representations of the story for another way to receive its messages. Day 1 - Receive all background information of the author, discuss the definition of literary terms relating to "theme" and "plot line", as well as read the first three paragraphs of the story. Day 2 - Discuss the meanings of the first three paragraphs, highlight the "exposition" of the story and highlight that in the plot line of the story as well as define and discuss "rising action". I will read the next three paragraphs of the story to the students. Day 3 - Discuss the meanings of the second three paragraphs, highlight the "turning point" (big event) as well as define the terms "falling action" and "resolution". We will read the final three paragraphs of the story and also close with overall feelings of the story and discuss the overall themes of the story. We will also discuss whether or not there is a resolution to the story.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
The story discusses a depiction of violence of a man with a mind spinning out of control. There are no mentions of gore or of explicit situations, just an allusion to the violence that ended the old man character's life. This event is the entire purpose of the poem and most of the themes of the poem. There is no detailed description of the death in the story.
Supply List
Notepad and pencil or other instrument for writing and taking notes.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Mark Snyder Jr MEd, EdS
5.0
82reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Non-US Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
3 Degrees
Doctoral Degree in Education from Northcentral University
Master's Degree in Education from Millersville University
Bachelor's Degree in English from Millersville University
I am an English teacher by trade and I have been discussing themes of violence and of "darker" ideas in literature for over a decade. Poe is an accepted part of the canon of American Literature and The Tell-Tale Heart is a story that is often read in 9th or 10th grade public school curricula. I am experienced at teaching this story in a public school setting, for many years.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$20
weekly or $60 for 3 classes1x per week, 3 weeks
55 min
Completed by 3 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-16
1-12 learners per class