So far you have had three writing activities. At this point your goal should be to have at least one poetic work in progress. There are only one more writing sessions till your first poetry workshop takes place.
One of the most beautiful things about poetry is it that can take any shape. If rhyming words and using rhyme schemes isn't working for you, then perhaps you could try a form know as “free verse”. Free verse poetry doesn't rhyme and it isn't written in any specific meter. Do you remember the T.S. Eliot poem we read earlier as homework entitled “The Wasteland”? That poem was written in free verse.
So if the poem doesn't rhyme or have any of the other tell-tell signs of being a poem, how is it a poem? A simplified way to think of a free verse poem is that it is a poem, because the poet says so. There are no rules or restrictions that apply to free verse. Do with it what you will.
When I write poetry, I write in free verse. Being the rebel that I am, I hate being bound by limits or restrictions.
With that said, I'm going to place restrictions on this next writing activity. I want you to write a free verse poem of your choice utilizing one of these poetic devices :metaphor, personification, and imagery. If your unfamiliar with any of these terms (shame on you), please look back to our earlier poetry lessons over poetic devices.
I picked these three devices because they would probably be the easiest for you to use. If you wanted to write a poem using imagery, write something very descriptive could appeal to any or multiple senses. If you chose metaphor or personification, I would suggest that you build the poem around this device. For example, in a poem about time you could use the metaphor “time flies” or use personification and say sometime about the “arms on a clock”.
Good Luck
Friday, December 15, 2006
Writing Assignment 3
How many of you work best under pressure? How many of you wait till the absolute last moment to do a homework assignment? Some of the best research papers I ever wrote in college were the ones I didn't start writing till the night before the assignment was due. While I would strongly advise you not to follow the study habits I had, there is no denying that we all have a tendency to work better and put forth more effort when we are faced with a deadline.
One poetry writing exercise that poets sometimes engage in is called 'speed writing'. When 'speed writing', the poet designates that he or she writes non-stop for a certain amount of time. “Speed- writing' is a great way to brainstorm for ideas or inspiration. The product of a 'speed writing' session doesn't necessarily have to be a poem either, the end result may be a few poetic lines or an idea that a latter poem can be produced from.
For the sake of this next activity, lets pretend that you have five minutes to come up with a 20 line poem.
Got a watch?
Are you ready?
GO!!!!!!!
Good luck.
One poetry writing exercise that poets sometimes engage in is called 'speed writing'. When 'speed writing', the poet designates that he or she writes non-stop for a certain amount of time. “Speed- writing' is a great way to brainstorm for ideas or inspiration. The product of a 'speed writing' session doesn't necessarily have to be a poem either, the end result may be a few poetic lines or an idea that a latter poem can be produced from.
For the sake of this next activity, lets pretend that you have five minutes to come up with a 20 line poem.
Got a watch?
Are you ready?
GO!!!!!!!
Good luck.
Writing Assignment 2
Continuing with this word game theme, have any of you ever written an acrostic? A acrostic is a poem in which the poet uses the first letter of word to spell another word. Take for example this acrostic using my first name.
As the world turns
Day becomes night
Always washing away darkness
Morning's shining light
Awesome poem isn't it? Acrostics have often been used by poets to write out the names of loved ones. Check out this poem by Edgar Allen Poe entitled “An Acrostic”
Elizabeth it is in vain you say
"Love not" — thou sayest it in so sweet a way:
In vain those words from thee or L.E.L.
Zantippe's talents had enforced so well:
Ah! if that language from thy heart arise,
Breath it less gently forth — and veil thine eyes.
Endymion, recollect, when Luna tried
To cure his love — was cured of all beside —
His follie — pride — and passion — for he died.
Acrostics don't necessarily have be written down the left-hand side of the poem. Poets can place or 'hide' them throughout the poem.
For your next writing activity I want you to write an acrostic or several acrostics (This all depends upon the length of the word you select. Remember, I am expecting at least 20 lines of poetry from you daily). I'd recommend that you choose a word of some significance to you like someone's name, a phrase, sports team name, anything. If your doing an acrostic that isn't written down the left-hand side of the poem, I want you to underline the words for me that hide the acrostic.
Good luck!
As the world turns
Day becomes night
Always washing away darkness
Morning's shining light
Awesome poem isn't it? Acrostics have often been used by poets to write out the names of loved ones. Check out this poem by Edgar Allen Poe entitled “An Acrostic”
Elizabeth it is in vain you say
"Love not" — thou sayest it in so sweet a way:
In vain those words from thee or L.E.L.
Zantippe's talents had enforced so well:
Ah! if that language from thy heart arise,
Breath it less gently forth — and veil thine eyes.
Endymion, recollect, when Luna tried
To cure his love — was cured of all beside —
His follie — pride — and passion — for he died.
Acrostics don't necessarily have be written down the left-hand side of the poem. Poets can place or 'hide' them throughout the poem.
For your next writing activity I want you to write an acrostic or several acrostics (This all depends upon the length of the word you select. Remember, I am expecting at least 20 lines of poetry from you daily). I'd recommend that you choose a word of some significance to you like someone's name, a phrase, sports team name, anything. If your doing an acrostic that isn't written down the left-hand side of the poem, I want you to underline the words for me that hide the acrostic.
Good luck!
Writing Assignment 1
Lets return to the topic of rhyme, whenever I first started writing poetry I wrote poems that rhymed. My reason for doing so was that writing in rhyme seemed fun to me. I always found poems that rhymed to be easier for me to write because the words I choose were dictated by the rhyme. So, if I used 'blood' in one line, I would have to end the next sentence with a word that had a similar sound. Offhand, this would mean my selections could be 'mud', 'above', or 'love' (do you hear that consonant sound?). Basically I would use the rhyme scheme that developed in the poem as a type of map to follow.
Now its time for you to try it.
Make a list of 15 words.
For each of these 15 words, write down four additional words that rhyme. This will give you 75 words.
Stare at the words you have written down. Do you see a pattern of general theme emerging between these words?
Pick a word and try to write a sentence using that word. Next, try to write another sentence using one of the rhyming words you wrote down.
Don't get frustrated if you're not pleased in the lines of poetry your coming up with. Very few people can sit down and churn out a masterpiece like Edger Allen Poe's “The Raven”. Instead I would like you to just relax and write down whatever comes to mind. Speaking of mind, free you mind and let the words come to you.
Good luck!
Now its time for you to try it.
Make a list of 15 words.
For each of these 15 words, write down four additional words that rhyme. This will give you 75 words.
Stare at the words you have written down. Do you see a pattern of general theme emerging between these words?
Pick a word and try to write a sentence using that word. Next, try to write another sentence using one of the rhyming words you wrote down.
Don't get frustrated if you're not pleased in the lines of poetry your coming up with. Very few people can sit down and churn out a masterpiece like Edger Allen Poe's “The Raven”. Instead I would like you to just relax and write down whatever comes to mind. Speaking of mind, free you mind and let the words come to you.
Good luck!
Intro to writing
Now that you have had an opportunity to learn about some of the tools that poets use to create poetry, it is time for us to begin the writing portion of this class. As was mentioned in the introduction to this class, I expect for you to write at least twenty lines of poetry during each lesson. This might seem a little harsh at first, but as poets we must maintain this work ethic. Nothing comes easy in life, and the same can be said for poetry. Poetry takes practice.
I am aware that you may not at this point be comfortable with sharing your poetry entries with your classmates. Thats fine, if you did as I asked and created a blog at WordPress, then you can password these entries. However, I must insist that you allow me access to these posts. If I can't see them, then you won't receive a grade for your effort. I would suggest that if you do choose to password these entries then you will need to send me the password. If you continue to password your entries, then you got to stick with the same password on your future posts. There are too many of you in this class for me to be keeping up with an ever-changing list of passwords.
Also, if you have not done so, make sure you add the addresses of your classmates' blogs in your rss gator. If you don't do this, you will not be able to share your poetry during work shops.
This is how this final section of the class will work, you will continue to check my blog as you have been doing. Each day I will be posting some different writing exercises. You have the option of following these instructions or striking out on your own. Either way is fine with me, my main concern is that you are making a genuine attempt at writing poetry. Unless I dictate otherwise in the writing activity, you will be expected to write at least 20 lines of poetry in each entry. Don't panic, this isn't as bad as it sounds. I am not expecting you to write entries in your blog that are ready to be published. Think of your entries as a pre-writing or brainstorming activity. This is an opportunity for you to play with the language, discover what works best. When I look at your posts I want to see this experimentation, I want to see the beginnings of your poems.
Throughout the course of this section I will assign two workshop dates. On these dates you will post a poem that you have been working on. Unlike you're other entries, this one cannot be passworded. On these workshop days, you are expected to visit ALL of your fellow classmates' blogs and read the poems they have posted. You are obligated to post comments on five of your classmates' blogs. In these comments I want you to review their poem. Let them know about the piece's strengths and weaknesses. Constructive criticism is welcomed and encouraged, being hateful and insulting will have a negative effect on your grade.
After these workshop dates, I want you to write me one double-spaced page about the workshop experience. Let me know what you took from this experience. Did any students suggestions answer some of your questions about your poem? Who provided the most help? How will you use this the comments gather from this workshop experience when you go back to revise your poem?
After the final workshop session you will be given a few days to work on your poems. You've still got to make posts in your blogs, but in these posts I want to see you writing or revising a poem for the final submission. As was mentioned previously, you are expected to turn in two completed poems. Unlike your previous posts, these poems don't necessarily need to be twenty lines. With that said, if I get the impression while reading this that you might be trying to pass off some last minutes scribbles as a poem, then I will be in touch with you. From that point we will discuss the poem and try to come to an mutual understanding. What I am wanting to see in these poems is evidence that you gave this writing assignment your best effort. Just make a genuine effort at this task and I'll assure you your effort will be rewarded.
Now that I've finished my rather lengthy speech, lets write!
I am aware that you may not at this point be comfortable with sharing your poetry entries with your classmates. Thats fine, if you did as I asked and created a blog at WordPress, then you can password these entries. However, I must insist that you allow me access to these posts. If I can't see them, then you won't receive a grade for your effort. I would suggest that if you do choose to password these entries then you will need to send me the password. If you continue to password your entries, then you got to stick with the same password on your future posts. There are too many of you in this class for me to be keeping up with an ever-changing list of passwords.
Also, if you have not done so, make sure you add the addresses of your classmates' blogs in your rss gator. If you don't do this, you will not be able to share your poetry during work shops.
This is how this final section of the class will work, you will continue to check my blog as you have been doing. Each day I will be posting some different writing exercises. You have the option of following these instructions or striking out on your own. Either way is fine with me, my main concern is that you are making a genuine attempt at writing poetry. Unless I dictate otherwise in the writing activity, you will be expected to write at least 20 lines of poetry in each entry. Don't panic, this isn't as bad as it sounds. I am not expecting you to write entries in your blog that are ready to be published. Think of your entries as a pre-writing or brainstorming activity. This is an opportunity for you to play with the language, discover what works best. When I look at your posts I want to see this experimentation, I want to see the beginnings of your poems.
Throughout the course of this section I will assign two workshop dates. On these dates you will post a poem that you have been working on. Unlike you're other entries, this one cannot be passworded. On these workshop days, you are expected to visit ALL of your fellow classmates' blogs and read the poems they have posted. You are obligated to post comments on five of your classmates' blogs. In these comments I want you to review their poem. Let them know about the piece's strengths and weaknesses. Constructive criticism is welcomed and encouraged, being hateful and insulting will have a negative effect on your grade.
After these workshop dates, I want you to write me one double-spaced page about the workshop experience. Let me know what you took from this experience. Did any students suggestions answer some of your questions about your poem? Who provided the most help? How will you use this the comments gather from this workshop experience when you go back to revise your poem?
After the final workshop session you will be given a few days to work on your poems. You've still got to make posts in your blogs, but in these posts I want to see you writing or revising a poem for the final submission. As was mentioned previously, you are expected to turn in two completed poems. Unlike your previous posts, these poems don't necessarily need to be twenty lines. With that said, if I get the impression while reading this that you might be trying to pass off some last minutes scribbles as a poem, then I will be in touch with you. From that point we will discuss the poem and try to come to an mutual understanding. What I am wanting to see in these poems is evidence that you gave this writing assignment your best effort. Just make a genuine effort at this task and I'll assure you your effort will be rewarded.
Now that I've finished my rather lengthy speech, lets write!
Test
Hello students, this is the end of our section about poetic devices. In two days I will post your unit test. In the meantime I would like to urge you to take this time and review the material. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
*Note*
Two days later students would be given a link to a remote testing site where they would complete their test. I have attached a sample copy of the student's test.
Download Test
*Note*
Two days later students would be given a link to a remote testing site where they would complete their test. I have attached a sample copy of the student's test.
Download Test
Personification
Personification
Personification is a figure of speech that gives animals, ideas, or inanimate objects human traits or abilities. These traits could be sensations, emotions, desires, physical gestures, expressions, and the power of speech. So, if I were to say “my car was happy to be washed”, I am attributing a human emotion onto a car, which is an example of personification.
The main purpose of personification is is to explain whats happening, how it is happening, and to give detailed imagery. I could simply write “the door creaked when I opened it”, or I could used personification and add some good imagery by saying “the door moaned in loud protest of being opened”. As you can see, the description that attributes personification onto the door contains more imagery.
Personification is all around us, in the news you will often hear governments and cooperations referred to with personification. Oftentimes these headlines will read like “China's economy is hungry for natural resources.” In my example China's economy it being depicted as being hungry.
Now it is time for an exercise in personification. Please click the “Stand Alone” icon located below. Listen to The Blue Oyster Cult's “Don't Fear The Reaper” while following along with the lyrics that I have provided. Watch for instances of personification.
Blue Oyster Cult Don´t Fear (the Reaper) Lyrics
All our times have come
Here but now they're gone
Seasons don't fear the reaper
Nor do the wind the sun or the rain (we can be like they are)
Come on baby (don't fear the reaper)
Baby take my hand (don't fear the reaper)
We'll be able to fly (don't fear the reaper)
Baby I'm your man
La-la-la-la-la-la-la la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Valentine is done
Here but now they're gone
Romeo and Juliet Are together in eternity (Romeo and Juliet)
40,000 men and women everyday (like Romeo and Juliet)
40,000 men and women everyday (redefine happiness)
Another 40,000 coming everyday (we can be like they are)
Come on baby (don't fear the reaper)
Baby take my hand (don't fear the reaper)
We'll be able to fly (don't fear the reaper)
Baby I'm your man
La-la-la-la-la-la-la la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Love of two is one
Here but now they're gone
Came the last night of sadness
And it was clear that she couldn't go on
Then the door was open and the wind appeared
The candles blew and then disappeared
The curtains flew and then he appeared (saying don't be afraid)
Come on baby (and she had no fear)
And she ran to him (then they started to fly)
They looked backwards and said goodbye (she had become like they are)
She had taken his hand (she had become like they are)
Come on baby (don't fear the reaper)
The two central images of personification in this song are the seasons (seasons can't fear) and death, which is portrayed as the Reaper. If you think about it, death has always been subject to personification. The earliest example of this that I can think of off hand is in the Bible, Psalm 23:4 “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...” The personification in this example being that death can cast a shadow.
Assignment
Rather than have you read a poem I have selected on personification, I want you to go out on the Internet and find me THREE poems that contain personification. In want you to copy/paste these poems into a word document and email them to me. Be sure that you include a description with each poem that describes how personification is used, and how it affects the poem as a whole.
Here are a few links you could use for your research.
http://www.poetry-online.org/
http://www.emule.com/poetry/?page=author_list
http://www.eliteskills.com/classics.php
Personification is a figure of speech that gives animals, ideas, or inanimate objects human traits or abilities. These traits could be sensations, emotions, desires, physical gestures, expressions, and the power of speech. So, if I were to say “my car was happy to be washed”, I am attributing a human emotion onto a car, which is an example of personification.
The main purpose of personification is is to explain whats happening, how it is happening, and to give detailed imagery. I could simply write “the door creaked when I opened it”, or I could used personification and add some good imagery by saying “the door moaned in loud protest of being opened”. As you can see, the description that attributes personification onto the door contains more imagery.
Personification is all around us, in the news you will often hear governments and cooperations referred to with personification. Oftentimes these headlines will read like “China's economy is hungry for natural resources.” In my example China's economy it being depicted as being hungry.
Now it is time for an exercise in personification. Please click the “Stand Alone” icon located below. Listen to The Blue Oyster Cult's “Don't Fear The Reaper” while following along with the lyrics that I have provided. Watch for instances of personification.
Blue Oyster Cult Don´t Fear (the Reaper) Lyrics
All our times have come
Here but now they're gone
Seasons don't fear the reaper
Nor do the wind the sun or the rain (we can be like they are)
Come on baby (don't fear the reaper)
Baby take my hand (don't fear the reaper)
We'll be able to fly (don't fear the reaper)
Baby I'm your man
La-la-la-la-la-la-la la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Valentine is done
Here but now they're gone
Romeo and Juliet Are together in eternity (Romeo and Juliet)
40,000 men and women everyday (like Romeo and Juliet)
40,000 men and women everyday (redefine happiness)
Another 40,000 coming everyday (we can be like they are)
Come on baby (don't fear the reaper)
Baby take my hand (don't fear the reaper)
We'll be able to fly (don't fear the reaper)
Baby I'm your man
La-la-la-la-la-la-la la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Love of two is one
Here but now they're gone
Came the last night of sadness
And it was clear that she couldn't go on
Then the door was open and the wind appeared
The candles blew and then disappeared
The curtains flew and then he appeared (saying don't be afraid)
Come on baby (and she had no fear)
And she ran to him (then they started to fly)
They looked backwards and said goodbye (she had become like they are)
She had taken his hand (she had become like they are)
Come on baby (don't fear the reaper)
The two central images of personification in this song are the seasons (seasons can't fear) and death, which is portrayed as the Reaper. If you think about it, death has always been subject to personification. The earliest example of this that I can think of off hand is in the Bible, Psalm 23:4 “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...” The personification in this example being that death can cast a shadow.
Assignment
Rather than have you read a poem I have selected on personification, I want you to go out on the Internet and find me THREE poems that contain personification. In want you to copy/paste these poems into a word document and email them to me. Be sure that you include a description with each poem that describes how personification is used, and how it affects the poem as a whole.
Here are a few links you could use for your research.
http://www.poetry-online.org/
http://www.emule.com/poetry/?page=author_list
http://www.eliteskills.com/classics.php
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