1. A Close Reading Activity
Song of the Open Road
A Close Reading Activity

2. Warm Up: Discuss
Brainstorm some situations where you need to choose your words carefully depending on who you’re talking to.

3. Before Reading What is implied by the title?
What predictions can you make?

4. First Reading
Was your prediction confirmed about the meaning of the title?
What is the poem’s literal meaning?

5. Next
Share with the class some of your “gist statements” or summaries.

6. 2nd Reading Define unknown words. How is the road described?
What do you think the speaker means by the line “Still here I carry my old delicious burdens”? What is significant about the word “delicious” in this line?
What is the significance of the last line of the poem “I am fill’d with them, and I will fill them in return.”
What is the author’s tone? Highlight words or phrases that express this tone.
What is the speaker trying to tell his audience? What is the message of the poem?

7. 3rd Reading: APE Paragraph
Write one APE paragraph where you name the THEME of the poem (A). Use evidence to prove your claim. Evidence could include word choice, tone, figurative language. Be sure to explain your evidence!