Riddles are an excellent vehicle for introducing students to poetry and poetry writing. The Riddle Interactive encourages students to use language in such a way as to present a common thing as unfamiliar, asking their readers/listeners to guess what it is. Central to the tradition of these poems is the use of language: good riddles rely upon creative use of metaphor, simile, and metonymy; concrete imagery; and imaginative presentation and description of an object or concept. Students are encouraged to use the writing process as they draft (shown at left) and revise their work. The interactive links to a printable online organizer where students can work on their poems.

Visit this interactive tool at: http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/riddle/.

ReadWriteThink Lessons That Use This Tool

What Am I? Teaching Poetry through Riddles (6-8)
Riddles have a long history dating to antiquity. Riddle poems, which rely upon creative use of metaphor, simile, and metonymy; concrete imagery; and imaginative presentation and description of an object or concept, are an excellent vehicle for introducing students to poetry and poetry writing.