When we hear the name Edgar Allan Poe, we often ponder tales of horror. However, Edgar Allan Poe wrote the first detective story – "The Murders in the Rue Morgue." So striking were Poe’s descriptions and plot that he influenced Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his writing of his famous detective, Sherlock Holmes. In this four-week class, learners will examine Edgar Allan Poe’s groundbreaking detective story, study the history and elements that made this story so influential on future detective writers, understand what are the characteristics of good detective fiction, and write an essay to reflect their studies. 
In week one, students should come to class having read Edgar Allan Poe’s "The Murders in the Rue Morgue." This week in class, we will critically analyze the story itself. Students will be encouraged to take notes over this portion of the study. It will be important to the actual essay writing in future weeks. 
In week two, we will study the elements and characteristics of detective fiction. We will discuss how Edgar Allan Poe not only perfected but invented these elements in the story "The Murders in the Rue Morgue." We will also discuss how future detective writers, such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, imitated Poe’s invention. We will contemplate the influence Edgar Allan Poe had on the writing of detective fiction. For homework in week three, students will search for outside sources to verify or deny this influence.
In week three, students will learn to outline and write a three to seven-page persuasive essay. In this essay, students will write about how and why Edgar Allan Poe was the father of detective fiction. They will refer to the story "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" and to any outside sources they have collected. They will learn to cite their sources according to MLA guidelines. Students will write their outlines in class. For homework in week three, students will write and submit a rough draft of their three to seven-page essay. The rough draft should be submitted to the teacher two days prior to the start of the final week’s class. This will allow time for teacher feedback. 
In week four of class, learners will present their essays to the class and submit them for a final assessment. If students prefer to not read in class, I will read their essays for them. After the essays are presented, there will be time for student discussion. This week will be a time of excitement and reward for a job well done. 
I will teach this class through discussion and PowerPoint presentations. I teach through interaction with the students and their interaction with each other. Discussion is of utmost importance. I believe students learn best when they enjoy what they are learning and when the learning environment promotes discussion. Learners should come to class prepared to think about the writing in this story, to write about their observations, and to have fun in class.