Why 'The Raven' still haunts us: writing a critical appreciation
A model critical essay on Poe's 'The Raven' that explains its lasting power through sound, situation and ambiguity; students analyse the essay's argument and critical language, then write an appreciation of a poem, song or tale they know well.
C2Adults60 minEssay
About this lesson
A C2 writing lesson (essay). Prompts, model texts and simple checklists — from a first email to an opinion essay.
- Level
- C2
- Skill
- Writing
- Type
- Essay
- Students
- Adults
- Time
- About 60 minutes
- Topic
- Halloween
- Activities
- Key words, Speaking / writing task, Reading text, Multiple choice, Matching, Gap-fill
- Key words
- stanza, refrain, internal rhyme, bust, ambiguity, parody, verdict
- Access
- Premium
By the end, students can
- Analyse the structure and argument of a critical essay about a poem
- Use precise critical vocabulary: refrain, internal rhyme, ambiguity, arguably
- Write a critical appreciation of a poem, song lyric or short tale