Final answer:
Chaucer's writing career is commonly divided into three periods: Early, Middle, and Late, representing the evolution of his literary style and the maturation of his storytelling as seen in works like 'The Canterbury Tales'.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chaucer's writing career is divided into three periods: the Early, Middle, and Late periods.
These divisions are not strictly delineated by Chaucer himself but are rather a convenient way for scholars to categorize his work and its evolution over time. The Early period is marked by Chaucer's initial works which show heavy influence of the French and Italian literary traditions. The Middle period is characterized by Chaucer's development of his own voice and style, with works like 'The House of Fame' and 'The Parliament of Fowls'. The Late period includes Chaucer's most well-known work, 'The Canterbury Tales', where his storytelling reaches full maturity and his portrayal of English society is most vivid.