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    Tips on reading poetry

    1.  READ the poem all the way through.

    2.  READ the poem again and underline everything you think may be symbolic.

    3.  THINK about what the symbols may mean and how they relate to one another.

    4.  READ the poem again looking for themes.

    5. READ the poem again paying attention to the structure.

    6.  THINK about how the symbols and structure enhance the presentation of the themes.

    7.  RELATE the poem to real life and other pieces of literature.

    Guidelines for analysis paragraphs

    1.  Topic sentence should include the poem's title (in quotes), author, and main idea.

    2.  Support sentences should discuss themes, language usage, structure, and symbols.

    3.  All arguments need to be supported with specific examples and quotes (concrete detail and commentary).

    4.  Tie it all together in your concluding sentence.

     

    All dates given are due dates.

    Be sure to BOTH submit work to Turnitin.com AND bring printed copies to class.

    Jan. 15:  One analysis paragraph each for "Fifteen" and "Ex-Basketball Player." Symbols exercises (pgs. 9 & 10) answered on a separate sheet of paper.

    Jan. 17:  One analysis paragraph each for "Oranges" and "Reflections on a Gift of Watermelon Pickle Received from a Friend Called Felicity."

    Jan 22: Three paragraphs analyzing "Fortune," "Hanging Fire," and " Dear Danny Ledbetter." 

    Jan. 24:  One analysis paragraph each for "The Boxer" and "The Sound of Silence."  

    Jan. 28:  Three paragraphs comparing and contrasting "To His Coy Mistress" and "More than Words."  (1 paragraph to analyze 1st poem; 1 paragraph to analyze 2nd poem; 1 paragraph to compare and contrast). 

    Jan. 30: 2 paragraphs (1 each) on 2 of the “aging” songs of your choice. Listen to them(pgs 50-57). Read “Cody” (pg 66) and complete worksheets #1 and #2 (pgs 67 & 68) on separate sheets of paper.

    Feb. 3: Discuss three poems from the packet we have NOT studied yet.  Compare and contrast them according to topics, themes, style, and structure.  Try to choose ones you like.  Explain why you like them.  Four paragraphs total.

    Feb. 5  Read “Look” (pg 69) and complete worksheets #1 and #2 (pgs 70 & 71) on separate sheets of paper

    Feb. 7: Read “Maxwell Street” (pg 72) and complete worksheets #1 and #2 (pgs 73 & 74) on separate sheets of paper

    Feb. 11: 1 paragraph each for “A Song of Nezahualcoytal,” “The Fish,” and “Fueled.”

    Feb. 13: Pick 2 of your favorite poems (not in the packet) to analyze (2 paragraphs).  Include copies of the poems. 

    Feb. 18:  Workshop day!  You must have 10 typed original poems, the reflection, the literary analysis, the editor's preface, and the back cover piece.  Your work must be here even if you are not. Pieces not critiqued in workshop will be considered late and will be graded at no greater than 50% on the final drafts.  Included in your 10 poems will be: one about a person, one about a place, one about an emotion, one about an event, one about an object, one poem that is composed of 5 stanzas (each stanza a haiku), a sonnet, one poem that is a response to a piece of art (see websites below), and two free choice poems.  The only requirement is that all of your poems, other than the sonnet, must be a minimum of 15 lines long.  There is no maximum length.

    Feb. 20:  Review

    Feb. 24:  Poetry exam.  Poetry Anthology due.   

    Feb. 26:   Last day to hand in Poetry Anthology for full credit.  After today, no anthologies will be accepted.  See packet for guidelines and rubric. Poetry Reading!!

    You also need to bring a copy of your favorite/best/most powerful piece of original poetry to present(art work included). This will be read aloud in class on Feb 26.

    You must turn it in to Turnitin.com. You must submit your 10 poems, preface, analysis, reflection, and back cover.  DO NOT submit the 10 poems by other poets.  If you were in a different period last semester, you may have to create a new account for this semester.

    See packet for guidelines and rubric.

    Weds,. Jan. 15:  Describe a single moment from your life that was extremely emotional (happiness, sadness, bliss, grief, love, excitement, fear, anxiety, giddiness, depression, loneliness, anticipation, exhilaration, joy, curiosity, abandonment, betrayal, appreciation, etc.).  Be as detailed and descriptive as possible.  Put your reader in the moment.

     

    Friday, Jan. 17:  Describe one of your most favorite places.  What does it look, sound, smell like?  How do you feel when you are there? What do you love about it?  What are some of your fondest memories from this place?  Who do you associate with it?

     

    Wednesday, January 22:  Describe an important person in your life?  What makes them so special?  Describe some moments or events with them that had a huge impact on your life?  What are the little things they do that make them unique?

     

    Thursday, January 29:

    Watch: The Time You Have (In JellyBeans) and This Is How Terribly Short Your Life Is (If You Hate Your Job & Live For The Weekends)

    Given that you have only one life to live, and that time is finite, what are your thoughts on the passage of time?  What are your hopes and fears about the future?

     

    Monday, February 3:

    Watch: Ignite Your Childlike State of Wonder and Awe

    What fills you with awe?  Describe it and the feelings you experience or experienced?
Last Modified on February 3, 2025