The Night Before Christmas

Worksheet Description

This worksheet invites an exploration of Clement Clarke Moore’s “The Night Before Christmas” and its poetic form. The task begins with identifying the structure Moore utilized, which is a delightful inquiry into the mechanics of this cherished seasonal classic. Students are encouraged to articulate the characteristics of the poem’s structure—likely the quatrain form, featuring an AABB rhyme scheme, typical of narrative verses that recount stories in a rhythmic and engaging manner.

In the subsequent paragraph, learners are tasked with analyzing how “The Night Before Christmas” not only adopts but also exemplifies these characteristics. They might consider the poem’s steady meter, its memorable opening line, “Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,” and how this sets the rhythmic pace for the vivid storytelling that follows. Discussion could focus on the poem’s ability to paint a vivid picture of the anticipation of Christmas Eve, and how the structured quatrains contribute to the unfolding narrative, drawing readers into a world of enchantment with St. Nicholas at its center. This exercise is an excellent opportunity for students to delve into the relationship between form and function in poetry, and how “The Night Before Christmas” remains an iconic example of the ballad form bringing festive stories to life.