Poetry Project

Poetry Project

Due Dates

_____ April 28              Poem approved

_____ May 5                 Copy of your poem

_____ May 9                 Rough draft of your essay

_____ May 16               Final Essay and recite poem by memory

           

Directions:

1. Choose a poem.

a.       Your poem must be 100 words or more (5^th), 75 words or more (4^th), 50 words or more (3^rd).

b.      You must choose a poem that has some meaning or a message to it.

c.       Make sure you are able to complete a thoughtful essay based on your poem.

d.      Read these directions carefully to be sure your poem will work.

e.       Silly poems do not work well for this assignment.

f.        Have Mrs. Velbis approve your choice by the due date.

2. Type or neatly write your poem.

a.       The paper must be no larger than 8 ½ x 11 inches.

b.      Be sure to include the title and the author.

c.       Choose a font that is easy to read, and choose a size that will fill up the paper.

d.      Turn one copy in to Mrs. Velbis on May 5^th

3. Memorize your poem.

a.       The sooner you memorize your poem, the better.

b.      Once the poem is memorized, you can begin working on “Good Stage Voice and Presence.”

c.       Here are some ideas to help you memorize it:

Record yourself reading your poem. Then recite back along with your recording.

      Practice reading your poem to a certain tune. This may make it easier for you to memorize it.

4. Essay

Three or more paragraphs:

1.      Tell what the poem is about.  Comment on the meaning or message the poet may have been trying to convey.

2.      Discuss two poetry devices used in the poem. Give a few examples of lines in the poem to support your observations. Use the attached list of Poetic Devices.

3.      Describe your reaction to the poem. What did the poem mean to you? Does it relate to anything in your life? Did you like it? Why or why not? Would you want to read more poems by the same poet?

5. Recite your poem to the class.
1. Be sure to review “Good Voice and Stage Presence” tips.  We will be learning these and practicing these in class.
2. You will read your essay and then you will recite your poem by memory. Students will be encouraged to ask you questions about your poem.

Good Voice and Stage Presence

PROJECTION: Speak loudly so that you can be heard.

RATE: Don’t speak too fast or too slow.

CLARITY: Make sure that you enunciate and use good diction.

EXPRESSION: Add character to your voice by varying your intonation and expression.

PITCH: Use the full range of your voice- its highs and lows.

STANCE: Stand up straight, show confidence, and don’t pace or sway.

EYE CONTACT: Look at your audience.

POISE: Don’t call attention to your mistakes. Recover and go on.

Glossary of Poetic Devices

Alliteration - The repetition of initial consonant sounds.

Assonance - The repetition of vowel sounds.

Imagery - Words or phrases that appeal to any sense or any combination of senses.

Metaphor - A comparison between two objects with the intent of giving clearer meaning to one of them. Often

forms of the "to be" verb are used, such as "is" or "was", to make the comparison.

Meter - The recurrence of a pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables.

Onomatopoeia - The use of words which imitate sound.

Personification - A figure of speech which endows animals, ideas, or inanimate objects with human traits or

abilities.

Point-of-view - The author's point-of-view concentrates on the vantage point of the speaker, or "teller", of the

story or poem.

1st person: the speaker is a character in the story or poem and tells it from his/her perspective (uses "I")

3rd person limited: the speaker is not part of the story, but tells about the other characters but limits

information about what one character sees and feels.

3rd person omniscient: the speaker is not part of the story, but is able to "know" and describe what all

characters are thinking.

Repetition - the repeating of words, phrases, lines, or stanzas.

Rhyme - The similarity of ending sounds existing between two words.

Rhyme scheme - The sequence in which the rhyme occurs. The first end sound is represented as the letter "a",

the second is "b", etc.

Simile - A comparison between two objects using a specific word or comparison such as "like", "as", or "than".

Stanza - a grouping of two or more lines of a poem in terms of length, metrical form, or rhyme scheme.

Poetry Project Grading Guidelines

4= Student has grasped, applied, and extended key concepts, processes and skills. His or her project demonstrates depth and complexity in a well thought out, organized project.

The project has many thoughtful responses and possibly includes comparisons to other poems. Meaningful examples are cited from the poem with in depth analysis of the poetic style and/or device.  The project is presented with detailed captions and has borders, is well-balanced, and is color coordinated. Student must earn 90 points or more to earn a “4”.

3= Student grasps and applies key concepts, processes and skills.  In other words, he or she has met the requirements fully. Student must earn 80 points or more to earn a “3”.

2= Student has met most of the requirements, but key concepts have not been fully grasped, and/or project was not completed according to instructions.  (Example: Figurative language of poem not commented on, and/or examples not cited from poem.)

1= Student has shown an obvious lack of effort.  The project looks hastily assembled and therefore does not show careful thought and planning.

	Category	Points Available	Points Earned
April 28	Poem Approved	5
May 5	Copy of Poem	5
May 9	Rough Draft	5
May 16	Project	85

Points Available: 100         Points Earned: ___                       

Oral Presentation

Category	Points Available	Points Earned / Comments
Projection	20
Rate	10
Clarity	10
Expression	15
Pitch	5
Stance	10
Eye Contact	20
Poise	10

Points Available: 100         Points Earned: ___