“The Highwayman” by Alfred Noyes Close Reading and Vocabulary Development

Vocabulary Development Using the Vocabulary CODE strategy from The Core Six

Close Reading the Text

Step 1: What is this text about? On the top of the first page of the poem, write down what you believe the poem is about.

Step 2: Read the poem again for increased comprehension. Complex texts often require multiple readings in order to truly understand them.

Step 3: Label the rhyme scheme. Did you notice a flow while you were reading? One reason for this is the rhyme scheme the author utilized throughout.

Step 4: Read again and annotate. As you move through the poem again, please use the following concepts as a guide to your annotation.

What type of poem is “The Highwayman”? Why do you believe this to be so?

Ask questions of the text as you read Ask questions of the text as you read. Be sure to write these questions down on the page.

Summarize each stanza. Support summaries with key ideas and words in the margins.

Make note of the author’s use of language, both literal and figurative, by identifying literary devices used throughout.

Circle all the words or phrases that reference color. Box all words or phrases that reference sound.

Make connections between this poem and other texts Make connections between this poem and other texts. Be specific and focus on key ideas, events, and theme(s).

Step 5: Use the annotated text, notes, and summaries to answer text dependent questions. Annotating text allows you to know it in detail so that you can produce high quality evidence for your answers. When answering a text dependent question, use quotes from the text to support your answer.