Ideal for units on humorous Gothic poetry with supernatural elements (especially during fall/autumn and Halloween), this poem analysis worksheet helps high school readers interpret "But Was It?" by Otis Adelbert Kline, a vampire-centric piece originally published in Weird Tales focusing on the conflict between reasoned thinking and superstitiousness. An answer key is included. By engaging with this poetry activity, students will:
Conduct research on vampire folklore to make connections to the text.
Select the most appropriate synonym for a word as it is used in the poem.
Demonstrate awareness of the functions of em-dashes in context.
Demonstrate knowledge of parts of speech.
Delve into the technique used to achieve humorous effect.
Apply knowledge of literary devices (e.g., ambiguity).
Infer the intended effect of the poem's refrain.
Evaluate the qualities that make the poem's vampire dangerous.
Make evidence-based inferences about the narrator's background.
Explore themes in context.
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence.
Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. (Alternatively, a Google option is available.)
More Weird Tales resources for the Halloween season are available:
"Out of the Grave" by Eldridge Morton - Google and printable
"The Dogs of Salem" by David H. Keller - Google and printable
"The Graveyard Rats" by Henry Kuttner - Google and printable
"The Vow on Halloween" by Lyllian Huntley Harris - Google and printable
"The Werewolf Snarls" by Manly Wade Wellman - Google and printable
Ideal for units on humorous Gothic poetry with supernatural elements (especially during fall/autumn and Halloween), this poem analysis worksheet helps high school readers interpret "But Was It?" by Otis Adelbert Kline, a vampire-centric piece originally published in Weird Tales focusing on the conflict between reasoned thinking and superstitiousness. An answer key is included. By engaging with this poetry activity, students will:
Conduct research on vampire folklore to make connections to the text.
Select the most appropriate synonym for a word as it is used in the poem.
Demonstrate awareness of the functions of em-dashes in context.
Demonstrate knowledge of parts of speech.
Delve into the technique used to achieve humorous effect.
Apply knowledge of literary devices (e.g., ambiguity).
Infer the intended effect of the poem's refrain.
Evaluate the qualities that make the poem's vampire dangerous.
Make evidence-based inferences about the narrator's background.
Explore themes in context.
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence.
Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. (Alternatively, a Google option is available.)
More Weird Tales resources for the Halloween season are available:
"Out of the Grave" by Eldridge Morton - Google and printable
"The Dogs of Salem" by David H. Keller - Google and printable
"The Graveyard Rats" by Henry Kuttner - Google and printable
"The Vow on Halloween" by Lyllian Huntley Harris - Google and printable
"The Werewolf Snarls" by Manly Wade Wellman - Google and printable
