Edgar Allan Poe, renowned American author of Gothic fiction such as "The Raven" and "The Tell-Tale Heart", died on October 7, 1849 in Baltimore at the age of 40. Poe was born on January 19, 1809 in Boston to actors David and Elizabeth Poe. He was orphaned as a child and was raised by John Allan of Richmond, Virginia. Poe attended the University of Virginia and the United States Military Academy at West Point, though he struggled with finances and was dismissed. He began his writing career in 1827 and published several volumes of poetry and short stories. Some

2. Edgar Allan Poe
• After the first section, what are
your impressions of Poe?
• Anything shock you about
Poe’s childhood?
• Write down one sentence with
your impressions.
– My first impression about Poe’s childhood is
________________________________________.

3. Talk to the Text
• What is talking to the text?
– Highlight/underline important information
– Circle words that you do not know
– Asking questions
– Making comments
– Yes! That means writing on the text!

4. Outline
Outline Structure
I. Main Idea/Heading
A. Supporting Detail
B. Supporting Detail
C. Supporting Detail
D. Supporting Detail
II. Main Idea/Heading
A. Supporting Detail
B. Supporting Detail
C. Supporting Detail
D. Supporting Detail
How to Take Care of a Pet
I. Basic Necessities
A. Food
B. Water
C. Leash/collar
D. Toys
II. Daily Care
A. Feed
B. Walk
C. Play
• Outline – a way to arrange and organize ideas

5. Edgar Allan Poe
I. _________________
A. born ______________ to ________ and _______
B. his father ___________________________
C. one year later his mother died
D. Edgar was adopted by __________
E. In 1829, his foster mother ______________
F. 1834 his foster father_________________________
II. Education
A. he went to ________ in 1815 at age 6
B. In 1820, ___________________________________
C. in 1826, _____________
D. within a year, ____________________________
Early Life
January 19, 1809 David Poe Elizabeth Arnold
abandoned the family when Edgar was one
Mr. and Mrs. John Allen
Britain
he went to the University of Virginia, where he did well
he dropped out of school because he didn’t
have enough money, and he started drinking
and gambling
died of tuberculosis
died and didn’t leave Edgar any money
he returned to the United States and continued his studies

6. III. Career Beginnings
A. In 1827, ______________
B. In 1829, _________________________
C. In 1830, ______________ but __________________
D. 1835 first story______________ published
E. 1835 he became the editor of _______________
F. 1840 became the editor of _______________,
where he _____________________.
IV. Major works
A. ______________
B. ______________
C. ______________
D. ______________

7. V. Personal life/Marriage
A. ___________________
B. ___________________
C. ___________________
VI. Death
A. ___________________
B. ___________________
C. ___________________
Who?
When?
What happened?
When?
Where?
Why?

8. Purpose of a Text
• Purpose • the reason something is written
– why it was written?
– who the intended audience is?

9. Biography
• biography
• biography
purpose
• The detailed story of a real
person’s life
– written by another person.
• To educate people about a
significant (important) person’s
life

10. Obituary
• obituary
• obituary
purpose
• a brief biography, highlight of the
person’s life, and accomplishments
– includes where and when born,
parents’ names, and date of death
– include how the person died
– it may include some negative events
from the person’s life, but main focus
is on the achievements
• reports the death of a person and
their accomplishments/influence
– celebrating the person’s life

11. Edgar Allan Poe Obituary
• Using the outline you created, you’re going to
write an obituary of Edgar Allan Poe
1. Include date of birth, where he was born,
and information about his parents
2. Include at least three accomplishments in his
education and dates (if possible)
3. Include at least four books/stories he wrote
4. Include information about his marriage
5. Include when/how he died

12. Teacher Example – Poe Obituary
Edgar Allan Poe, the writer and poet who authored
“Annabel Lee” and “The Murders in the Rue Morgue”, died
October 7, 1849. He was 40 years old.
Poe was born January 19, 1809 to David and Elizabeth
Poe. His childhood was rough; David abandoned his family
when Poe was just one year old. Shortly after, Elizabeth died
leaving Poe and his two siblings, Henry and Rosalie,
orphaned. Poe was later adopted by Mr. and Mrs. John
Allan. Beginning at a young age, Poe and his adoptive father
did not have a good relationship.

13. Before Poe became an author, he attended impressive
schools. In 1815, at age six, Poe attended schools in
England. By 1826, seventeen year old Poe was admitted
into the University of Virginia where he did well. Then, in
1830, Poe was admitted to West Point, a military academy,
with the help of his adoptive father, John Allan.
Unfortunately, Allan refused to give Poe any money and
Poe was then dismissed from West Point.
Poe wrote many stories and poems that are still read
today. Poe became recognized as a writer in 1835 when his
short story, “The Message Found in a Bottle”, won a
contest. His first book of short stories was published four
years later in 1839 titled Tales of the Grotesque and the
Arabesque. One year later, he published “The Murders in
Rue Morgue”, his first detective novel. Poe also wrote
poetry; some of his famous poems include “Annabel Lee”
and “The Raven”.

14. Teacher Example – Poe Obituary
In 1836, Poe wedded his young cousin, Virginia Clemm.
He was 27 and she was 13 years old. Unfortunately, his
dear wife became very ill and died of tuberculosis in 1847
at the age of 24. Poe was heartbroken.
On October 7, 1849, Poe died from unknown causes.
He suffered from alcoholism all throughout his life and
many believe that this caused his death. However, there
are no clear answers and his death still remains a mystery
today.
Although Poe had a troubled life, he will be
remembered for his dark and spooky stories and poems.

15. Beginning of Obituary
• Begin obituary with:
– The fact that Poe is dead
– What he is most known for
– His age at the time of death
Edgar Allan Poe, ______________________
____________________________________,
died _____________. He was _____________.
What is he most known for?
date of death age at time of death

16. Poe Obituary Structure
1. Include date of birth, where he was born, and
information about his parents
– Edgar Allan Poe was born….
2. Include at least three accomplishments in his
education and dates (if possible)
– Before Poe became an author, he…
3. Include at least four books/stories he wrote.
Include one magazine/newspaper he worked for.
– Poe wrote many stories and poems that are still read
today.
**give detail/information about these stories

17. Poe Obituary Structure
4. Include information about his marriage
5. Include when/where/ how he died
6. End obituary telling readers what we should
remember about Poe and why. Remember
the purpose of an obituary! Be positive!

18. Poe Obituary Structure
4. Include information about his marriage
– In ________, Poe married…
5. Include when/where/ how he died
– On __________, Poe died….
6. End obituary with a line about what Poe
is/should be remembered for ( be positive!)
– Poe is remembered for…
year
date