Poetry Webquest

Introduction

Though Emily Dickenson and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow had different poetry

styles, they have both become two of the most well respected American poets. In this web

quest, we will become familiar with both authors and their styles.

Click on the pictures to begin your research!

Task

Research the lives of Emily Dickinson and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Write a two paragraph response comparing and contrasting their lives and its effect on their poetry, as well as their poetry styles.

Choose either “Paul Revere’s Ride” or “I’ll tell you how the Sun rose-” and read it aloud with your partner.

Then create your own poem, modeling it after the author’s style.

The Process

Individually, begin exploring the links and videos on the References page.

After twenty minutes, get together with your partner and begin discussing your research.

Based on your group discussion and research findings, individually create a 2 paragraph (minimum) compare and contrast response. In this response, consider each poet, their lives and its effect on their poetry, as well as their poetry styles.

Join your partner and choose one of the provided poems. Create your own poem according to the style of the poem you chose.

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1 Spelling and Punctuation

There are no spelling or punctuation errors in the final draft.

There is one spelling or punctuation error in the final draft.

There are 2-3 spelling and punctuation errors in the final draft.

The final draft has more than 3 spelling and punctuation errors.

Creativity The poem contains many creative details and/or descriptions that contribute to the reader's enjoyment. The author has really used his imagination.

The poem contains a few creative details and/or descriptions that contribute to the reader’s enjoyment. The author has used his imagination.

The poem contains a few creative details and/or descriptions, but they distract from the poem. The author has tried to use his imagination.

There is little evidence of creativity in the poem. The author does not seem to have used much imagination.

Accuracy of Facts

All facts presented in the research response are accurate.

Almost all facts presented in the research response are accurate.

Most facts presented in the research response are accurate (at least 70%).

There are several factual errors in the research response.

Utilization of Provided Resources

The research response cites at least 7 of the provided resources.

The research response cites at least 5 of the provided resources.

The research response cites at least 3 of the provided resources.

The research response does not show evidence of the provided resources.

Evaluation

Dickinson Resources

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/emily-dickinson

http://www3.amherst.edu/magazine/issues/06winter/emily/

Click the black boxes to watch video clips about Emily’s life.

Longfellow Resources

http://www.egs.edu/library/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/biography/

http://hcl.harvard.edu/libraries/houghton/exhibits/longfellow/

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/henry-wadsworth-longfellow

Conclusion

Congratulations! Through today’s study you have become acquainted with the lives and

works of two of America’s most famous poets. You have also exposed yourself the art of

creating your own poetry. I hope that today’s experience will spark an interest and

appreciation for reading and writing poetry of all kinds.