This lesson is based on "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" by Edgar Allan Poe, taken from the book The Ten Great Mysteries by Edgar Allan Poe.
Objective- identify important characters, settings, events, relationships and details within the story
Materials- copy of "The Murders in the Rue Morgue"
Procedure- As a class read the story. This may take more than one class period. Students will take turns reading aloud. Periodically stop to check for understanding. Ask students to predict what will happen next. This keeps the reader engaged in the text. It also will help generate ideas based on their understanding of the story. Also ask students to summarize and to retell events in the story.
Read the story up to the point where the witnesses give their testimony (pp. 22).
Students will make a list of the witnesses and generate a list of questions to ask each witness.
Complete a story map by listing at least four significant events in the order they happened.
After reading up to page 41
Explain whether or not you think Dupin's plan to trap the Frenchman will work?
What advice can you give Dupin to help him solve the murder mystery?
Use pages 20-21
Identify the following words on pages 20 and 21, then, in your own words, write a definition for each.
garrets expostulating
corroborates deposes
excoriated chafed
throttled corpse
