Question
The Scenario:
You are a private investigator in 1849. One rainy afternoon, as you are sitting in your office finishing up paperwork from your last case, a woman enters. She is visibly upset, her eyes red from crying. The woman introduces herself as Elmira Royster Shelton, the fiance of Edgar Allan Poe. Ms. Shelton informs you that Poe recently passed away under mysterious circumstances.
Unfortunately, Ms. Shelton is unable to give you much background information about Poe’s life. While she and Poe were childhood sweethearts, they only recently reconnected after a very long separation. Ms. Shelton is desperate to find out more about Poe’s life and the reason behind his untimely death. You agree to take Ms. Shelton’s case and investigate.
Your Objective:
To create a detailed report in the form of an explanatory essay that explains the life of Edgar Allan Poe, the circumstances surrounding his death, and your theory about how Poe most likely died.
Research: In the Lesson 6, 7, 8, & 10 sections of your Unit 4 Study Guide, you will read articles and watch videos about Poe’s life and his death, taking notes as you investigate each source. You will use these notes to support your ideas and conclusions in your essay.
Required Sources:
You must use all of the required sources in your essay (each source should be cited at least once).
READ the articles linked below. You will use these articles as sources in your essay. The full MLA citation is listed at the end of each article.
"The Life of Edgar Allan Poe" Audio
"The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe" Audio
"The (Still) Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe" Audio
WATCH the videos linked below. You will use these videos as sources in your essay. The full MLA citation is listed in the link below.
"An Animated Biography of Edgar Allan Poe" Citations
"The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe May Never Be Solved" Citations
The Writing Process:
Day 1: In Unit 4 Lesson 12, complete the Instructions/Outline section of your essay:
Watch this help video that goes over Day 1 instructions.
Sign in to the Khan Academy Writing Coach using these instructions.
Once you have signed into the Writing Coach, click on the assignment called “Unit 4 Edgar Allan Poe Explanatory Writing.”
Read through the assignment instructions and requirements carefully. You may ask the Writing Coach AI for help if there is something you don’t understand.
Complete the outline for your essay in the Writing Coach. Ask the AI for help if you need it. Your outline must include your thesis statement and at least THREE body paragraphs. Each body paragraph must include:
A Main Point/Topic Sentence
Evidence/Examples including your source in the form of an in-text citation
Your Reasoning/Explanation
Day 2: In Unit 4 Lesson 13, complete the Drafting section of your essay:
Watch this help video that goes over Day 2 instructions.
Sign in to the Writing Coach.
Use the outline you created in the last lesson to write a rough draft of your essay. You MAY copy and paste from the outline you created in the Writing Coach and/or from the required sources, but you MAY NOT copy and paste from any other sources, even from a Google Doc. The AI will flag anything that is not directly typed into the Writing Coach. You MAY ask the AI for help if you need it.
Day 3: In Unit 4 Lesson 14, complete the Revising & Editing section of your essay:
Watch this help video that goes over Day 3 instrucitons.
Sign in to the Writing Coach.
Revise & edit your rough draft and create a final draft of your essay.
Use the Writer’s Checklist below to make sure you have met the requirements for this assignment. You may also review the grading rubric to check your work. The Writing Coach AI will also help you check your work, and it will suggest possible improvements.
Day 4: In Unit 4 Lesson 15, complete the Final Draft section of your essay:
Watch this help video that goes over Day 4 instructions.
Sign in to the Writing Coach.
Make any final edits or revisions and export the final draft of your essay from the Writing Coach into a Google Doc. (These instructions will show you how to do this.)
Submit the link to the final draft of your explanatory essay to the assessment at the end of Unit 4 Lesson 15. The share settings in your Google Doc must be set to “Anyone at Georgia Connections Academy can EDIT” AND make sure there is a checkmark next to “Must have link to access.” Need help? Click HERE.
NOTE: If you are unable to export your essay as a Google doc from the Khan Academy Writing Coach, you may export it as a PDF or Word document and upload that to the dropbox in Unit 4 Lesson 15.
Please note: Assignments submitted with incorrect share settings will temporarily receive a zero until the share settings are corrected.
Writer’s Checklist (Requirements):
Your explanatory essay should include the following:
Introduction
Hook- Start with an interesting fact to get your reader’s attention
Background- Explain the purpose for your investigation (The mystery behind Poe’s death)
Your thesis statement- Briefly state what your body paragraphs will discuss
At least THREE body paragraphs that each include
A Main Point/Topic Sentence- What the paragraph is about
Evidence/Examples- Use quotes & details from the required sources (use each source at least once)
Signal Phrase- Introduce all textual evidence with a phrase such as According to…, The article states…, etc.
Citation- Include in-text citations for each source using MLA format- Need help with citations? Click HERE.
Your Reasoning/Explanation- Explain what your evidence means & how it supports your main point
Conclusion
Restate your thesis- Say it in a different way
Summarize the main points discussed in your body paragraphs- Do NOT include any new information
End with a final thought- State your theory about how Poe most likely died (You may choose one of the theories presented in the required sources or you may combine theories as long as your ideas are supported by evidence.)
Additional Requirements:
Word Count- Your essay should be 400 words minimum
Tone- Use an objective tone (no second person pronouns like “you” and “your”)
Transitions- Use transitions between paragraphs to guide your reader from one topic to the next
Conventions- Use correct grammar, capitalization, punctuation, & spelling
Submission- Export your final draft from the Writing Coach into to a Google Doc
Google Doc Settings- Share settings set to “Anyone at Georgia Connections Academy can EDIT” AND make sure there is a check mark next to “Must have link to access” Need help? Click HERE.
Extra Credit (Choose ONE):
Create a podcast where you discuss the different theories about Poe’s death and explain which theory is the most credible.
Create a visually appealing timeline of events that shows the different events of Poe’s life in chronological order.
Create an invoice for your investigative services. Your invoice should include the dates you completed your investigative work, the amount of time spent, the information you gathered each day, a short summary of the steps you took during your investigation, the conclusion you reached, and your final fee.
You are a private investigator in 1849. One rainy afternoon, as you are sitting in your office finishing up paperwork from your last case, a woman enters. She is visibly upset, her eyes red from crying. The woman introduces herself as Elmira Royster Shelton, the fiance of Edgar Allan Poe. Ms. Shelton informs you that Poe recently passed away under mysterious circumstances.
Unfortunately, Ms. Shelton is unable to give you much background information about Poe’s life. While she and Poe were childhood sweethearts, they only recently reconnected after a very long separation. Ms. Shelton is desperate to find out more about Poe’s life and the reason behind his untimely death. You agree to take Ms. Shelton’s case and investigate.
Your Objective:
To create a detailed report in the form of an explanatory essay that explains the life of Edgar Allan Poe, the circumstances surrounding his death, and your theory about how Poe most likely died.
Research: In the Lesson 6, 7, 8, & 10 sections of your Unit 4 Study Guide, you will read articles and watch videos about Poe’s life and his death, taking notes as you investigate each source. You will use these notes to support your ideas and conclusions in your essay.
Required Sources:
You must use all of the required sources in your essay (each source should be cited at least once).
READ the articles linked below. You will use these articles as sources in your essay. The full MLA citation is listed at the end of each article.
"The Life of Edgar Allan Poe" Audio
"The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe" Audio
"The (Still) Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe" Audio
WATCH the videos linked below. You will use these videos as sources in your essay. The full MLA citation is listed in the link below.
"An Animated Biography of Edgar Allan Poe" Citations
"The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe May Never Be Solved" Citations
The Writing Process:
Day 1: In Unit 4 Lesson 12, complete the Instructions/Outline section of your essay:
Watch this help video that goes over Day 1 instructions.
Sign in to the Khan Academy Writing Coach using these instructions.
Once you have signed into the Writing Coach, click on the assignment called “Unit 4 Edgar Allan Poe Explanatory Writing.”
Read through the assignment instructions and requirements carefully. You may ask the Writing Coach AI for help if there is something you don’t understand.
Complete the outline for your essay in the Writing Coach. Ask the AI for help if you need it. Your outline must include your thesis statement and at least THREE body paragraphs. Each body paragraph must include:
A Main Point/Topic Sentence
Evidence/Examples including your source in the form of an in-text citation
Your Reasoning/Explanation
Day 2: In Unit 4 Lesson 13, complete the Drafting section of your essay:
Watch this help video that goes over Day 2 instructions.
Sign in to the Writing Coach.
Use the outline you created in the last lesson to write a rough draft of your essay. You MAY copy and paste from the outline you created in the Writing Coach and/or from the required sources, but you MAY NOT copy and paste from any other sources, even from a Google Doc. The AI will flag anything that is not directly typed into the Writing Coach. You MAY ask the AI for help if you need it.
Day 3: In Unit 4 Lesson 14, complete the Revising & Editing section of your essay:
Watch this help video that goes over Day 3 instrucitons.
Sign in to the Writing Coach.
Revise & edit your rough draft and create a final draft of your essay.
Use the Writer’s Checklist below to make sure you have met the requirements for this assignment. You may also review the grading rubric to check your work. The Writing Coach AI will also help you check your work, and it will suggest possible improvements.
Day 4: In Unit 4 Lesson 15, complete the Final Draft section of your essay:
Watch this help video that goes over Day 4 instructions.
Sign in to the Writing Coach.
Make any final edits or revisions and export the final draft of your essay from the Writing Coach into a Google Doc. (These instructions will show you how to do this.)
Submit the link to the final draft of your explanatory essay to the assessment at the end of Unit 4 Lesson 15. The share settings in your Google Doc must be set to “Anyone at Georgia Connections Academy can EDIT” AND make sure there is a checkmark next to “Must have link to access.” Need help? Click HERE.
NOTE: If you are unable to export your essay as a Google doc from the Khan Academy Writing Coach, you may export it as a PDF or Word document and upload that to the dropbox in Unit 4 Lesson 15.
Please note: Assignments submitted with incorrect share settings will temporarily receive a zero until the share settings are corrected.
Writer’s Checklist (Requirements):
Your explanatory essay should include the following:
Introduction
Hook- Start with an interesting fact to get your reader’s attention
Background- Explain the purpose for your investigation (The mystery behind Poe’s death)
Your thesis statement- Briefly state what your body paragraphs will discuss
At least THREE body paragraphs that each include
A Main Point/Topic Sentence- What the paragraph is about
Evidence/Examples- Use quotes & details from the required sources (use each source at least once)
Signal Phrase- Introduce all textual evidence with a phrase such as According to…, The article states…, etc.
Citation- Include in-text citations for each source using MLA format- Need help with citations? Click HERE.
Your Reasoning/Explanation- Explain what your evidence means & how it supports your main point
Conclusion
Restate your thesis- Say it in a different way
Summarize the main points discussed in your body paragraphs- Do NOT include any new information
End with a final thought- State your theory about how Poe most likely died (You may choose one of the theories presented in the required sources or you may combine theories as long as your ideas are supported by evidence.)
Additional Requirements:
Word Count- Your essay should be 400 words minimum
Tone- Use an objective tone (no second person pronouns like “you” and “your”)
Transitions- Use transitions between paragraphs to guide your reader from one topic to the next
Conventions- Use correct grammar, capitalization, punctuation, & spelling
Submission- Export your final draft from the Writing Coach into to a Google Doc
Google Doc Settings- Share settings set to “Anyone at Georgia Connections Academy can EDIT” AND make sure there is a check mark next to “Must have link to access” Need help? Click HERE.
Extra Credit (Choose ONE):
Create a podcast where you discuss the different theories about Poe’s death and explain which theory is the most credible.
Create a visually appealing timeline of events that shows the different events of Poe’s life in chronological order.
Create an invoice for your investigative services. Your invoice should include the dates you completed your investigative work, the amount of time spent, the information you gathered each day, a short summary of the steps you took during your investigation, the conclusion you reached, and your final fee.
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
# The Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe remains one of the most enigmatic figures in American literature. Born on January 19, 1809, in Boston, Massachusetts, Poe had a life marked by tragedy, creativity, and a deep affinity for the macabre. His fleeting successes as a poet and writer were overshadowed by personal struggles, culminating in his untimely and mysterious death on October 7, 1849. This essay will explore Poe's tumultuous life, the circumstances surrounding his death, and present a theory about how he may have died, shedding light on the mysteries that still linger around this iconic figure.
Poe's life was fraught with challenges that shaped his literary output and personal relationships. After the death of his mother, Poe was taken in by John and Frances Allan, a wealthy family in Richmond, Virginia. Although never formally adopted, Poe was given the name Allan and received some education. Despite his talents, he struggled for financial stability, leading him to a brief military career and a stint at West Point, which he ultimately left. According to the audio documentary "The Life of Edgar Allan Poe," Poe's turbulent relationships, particularly with women, profoundly influenced his writing and contributed to his emotional instability (The Life of Edgar Allan Poe). His marriage to his cousin Virginia Clemm in 1836, while a source of comfort, was also marked by illness and eventual death, deepening Poe's sorrow and isolation.
The investigation into Poe's death reveals several theories, each contributing to the overall mystery surrounding his final days. Poe was found delirious on the streets of Baltimore, dressed in clothing that was not his own. The lack of definitive answers about his health before his death has led to various speculations, including alcoholism, rabies, and even foul play. In the audio presentation "The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe," it is suggested that Poe's repeated bouts of poor health and erratic behavior in the days leading up to his death could indicate a number of underlying conditions, possibly exacerbated by alcoholism (The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe). The video, "The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe May Never Be Solved," further complicates the narrative, offering multiple perspectives on the circumstances leading to his death, including the possibility of a drug overdose or exposure to extreme weather (The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe May Never Be Solved).
Based on the evidence collected, my theory regarding Poe's death leans towards the possibility of a combination of health issues compounded by alcoholism. His history of poor health, amplified by a devastating personal life that included the loss of his wife, may have contributed to his fragile mental and physical state. Furthermore, the chaotic nature of the circumstances in which he was found—disoriented and in someone else's clothes—could indicate that he experienced a severe psychological episode or worsening physical condition related to chronic alcohol abuse. Adams’ animated biography of Poe captures this tumultuous period of his life, illustrating how his struggles may have culminated in a tragic end (An Animated Biography of Edgar Allan Poe).
In conclusion, Edgar Allan Poe's life was a tapestry of brilliance and despair, intricately woven with themes of loss, love, and madness. His mysterious death adds an unsettling final chapter to an already haunting story, marked by unanswered questions and varying theories. While the exact cause of his demise may never be confirmed, the combination of his health issues and emotional turmoil likely played a vital role in his tragic end. Such a life, filled with exquisite literary contributions and profound grief, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature, ensuring that Edgar Allan Poe will be remembered as both a genius and a tragic figure.
Edgar Allan Poe remains one of the most enigmatic figures in American literature. Born on January 19, 1809, in Boston, Massachusetts, Poe had a life marked by tragedy, creativity, and a deep affinity for the macabre. His fleeting successes as a poet and writer were overshadowed by personal struggles, culminating in his untimely and mysterious death on October 7, 1849. This essay will explore Poe's tumultuous life, the circumstances surrounding his death, and present a theory about how he may have died, shedding light on the mysteries that still linger around this iconic figure.
Poe's life was fraught with challenges that shaped his literary output and personal relationships. After the death of his mother, Poe was taken in by John and Frances Allan, a wealthy family in Richmond, Virginia. Although never formally adopted, Poe was given the name Allan and received some education. Despite his talents, he struggled for financial stability, leading him to a brief military career and a stint at West Point, which he ultimately left. According to the audio documentary "The Life of Edgar Allan Poe," Poe's turbulent relationships, particularly with women, profoundly influenced his writing and contributed to his emotional instability (The Life of Edgar Allan Poe). His marriage to his cousin Virginia Clemm in 1836, while a source of comfort, was also marked by illness and eventual death, deepening Poe's sorrow and isolation.
The investigation into Poe's death reveals several theories, each contributing to the overall mystery surrounding his final days. Poe was found delirious on the streets of Baltimore, dressed in clothing that was not his own. The lack of definitive answers about his health before his death has led to various speculations, including alcoholism, rabies, and even foul play. In the audio presentation "The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe," it is suggested that Poe's repeated bouts of poor health and erratic behavior in the days leading up to his death could indicate a number of underlying conditions, possibly exacerbated by alcoholism (The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe). The video, "The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe May Never Be Solved," further complicates the narrative, offering multiple perspectives on the circumstances leading to his death, including the possibility of a drug overdose or exposure to extreme weather (The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe May Never Be Solved).
Based on the evidence collected, my theory regarding Poe's death leans towards the possibility of a combination of health issues compounded by alcoholism. His history of poor health, amplified by a devastating personal life that included the loss of his wife, may have contributed to his fragile mental and physical state. Furthermore, the chaotic nature of the circumstances in which he was found—disoriented and in someone else's clothes—could indicate that he experienced a severe psychological episode or worsening physical condition related to chronic alcohol abuse. Adams’ animated biography of Poe captures this tumultuous period of his life, illustrating how his struggles may have culminated in a tragic end (An Animated Biography of Edgar Allan Poe).
In conclusion, Edgar Allan Poe's life was a tapestry of brilliance and despair, intricately woven with themes of loss, love, and madness. His mysterious death adds an unsettling final chapter to an already haunting story, marked by unanswered questions and varying theories. While the exact cause of his demise may never be confirmed, the combination of his health issues and emotional turmoil likely played a vital role in his tragic end. Such a life, filled with exquisite literary contributions and profound grief, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature, ensuring that Edgar Allan Poe will be remembered as both a genius and a tragic figure.