DOWNLOAD: Sound & Sense: An Introduction to Poetry by Perrine and Arp
DOWNLOAD: "Got Poetry?" by Jim Holt (Sunday Book Review)
Assignment for Class 1 upon return: Read "Chapter One: What Is Poetry?" and "Chapter Two: Reading the Poem" from Sound & Sense AND the short article "Got Poetry?" by Jim Holt. You will have a 15-min quiz on this material.
UPDATE: Be sure that you read the assigned chapters in Poetry: Sound & Sense. You will have a quiz on the first two chapters and Jim Holt’s “Got Poetry?” article. But more importantly, it is crucial you understand these first two chapters – and Jim Holt’s tips for memorizing poetry. We’ll be building on them. Be sure that you know the following:
- Poetry’s primary concern. (Be able to state the answer in one word.)
- The four “dimensions” of poetry
- What you should do when you paraphrase a poem
- What you should NOT do when you paraphrase a poem
- What you should do when reading a poem
- What you should NOT do when reading a poem
- The “language resources” that poetry draws upon
- Three primary questions you should ask yourself when trying to understand a poem
For Class #2 (Tues., Jan. 12/13): You will be choosing two poems to memorize and recite in class during this unit.
CHOOSE POEMS: At the beginning of class #2 be prepared to submit your choice of two poems you would like to study, memorize, write about, and present during this unit. Since no one in your section may work with the same poem, you should submit one or two back-up choices as well.
How Do I Choose My Poems?
You will choose these from a list that can be found on the “Poetry Out Loud” website. But, not just any poem qualifies. You must meet the following requirements:
1. The poem must be written by a British or Irish poet: This includes Welsh, Scottish, and English poets. Be sure to look up the nationality of the poet!
2. The two poems must add up to a minimum of 40 full lines of poetry. Thus, you can choose a 7-line poem and a 35-line poem, two 20-line poems, etc. Be sure to do the math!
3. The poem must be found on the Poetry Out Loud list:
http://poetryoutloud.org/poems-and-performance/find-poems
4. At least one of the poems must date from before 1900.
5. The poems should be ones you like, enjoy, find fascinating, etc. You get to pick them, so do a little research and find two that you really want to work with.
6. No one else in your section may be doing the same poem; that means I’ll personally deal with tie-breakers. (You should come to class with one or two “back up” poems in case one or both of your poems is already taken.)
7. After you have your assigned poems, be sure to read or re-read the “Got
Poetry?” article (see download above) for tips on how to approach memorizing poetry.