Assignment: Choose one of the files I have created questions for and watch it a few times in preparation for written reflections. I want you to really listen to the poems in the file you select, and think about the delivery of the poems. I have provided questions for each of the selected poets in the message section of the Poetry Workspace. Respond to one set of questions by replying to the message containing the questions. Compose your response in paragraph form, rather than simply listing answers to the questions. If you reply to the message for the poet you choose, your response should show up under the correct prompt. As you find your classmates' responses posted, you should include reactions to their comments in your response. If you are the first to answer a prompt, come back at a later date to add a response to a classmate's message, or post another message that responds to a few classmates. Consider the space a "message board" in which you can read your peers' thoughts and respond. Your grade will depend on your message and your response to the messages of others. The more you engage with the poems under consideration and the thoughts of your peers, the better your grade will be. See the notes below for a breakdown of how you will be graded.
Thoroughly respond to the questions in the prompt making specific references to the poetry to support your thoughts: up to 30 points.
In your post (or in a subsequent post) respond to the thoughts and ideas of your classmates. This thoughtful interaction must relate to the poets or poems in the videos: up to 20 points
Total maximum points: 50
Grading will take composition skills into account. While you do not need to write formally (after all, you are having a conversation with your peers to some extent), you should adhere to the rules of English grammar and spelling.
Reflection Questions:
Tony Hoagland reads "Romantic Moment." When you hear a title like this, what do you expect of the poem? How does he at first deliver what you might expect? At what point (and how) does the poem take a turn and become something other that what is expected. Why do you think the poet does this? How does the poem then turn again near the end and become a more traditional love poem? Why do you think the poet writes about love in the way he does? Finally, reflect and comment upon the poet's delivery of his poetry. How would you describe his style or tone and the feel of his reading?
Mark Doty's poem, "House of Beauty," describes and reflects upon a fire in a beauty salon. Capture and describe some of the images presented in this poem. Which ones are especially striking? While Doty certainly sets out to describe the scene in detail, is there a second level of meaning? How is this poem about more than just a fire in a beauty salon? Finally, reflect and comment upon the poet's delivery of his poetry. How would you describe his style or tone and the feel of his reading?
Kurtis Lamkin reads two poems. In the first poem, focus on his delivery and the audience's response. Why do you think the audience responds so favorably to his poem? Is it something about his style? about the message of the poem? The second poem is delivered again with a dynamic style. How would you describe Lamkin's style in this poem? This poem is about Kwelia birds. What else is it about? Explain. Finally, reflect and comment upon the poet's delivery of his poetry. How would you describe his style or tone and the feel of his reading?
Lucille Clifton reads two poems. Comment on the use of speaker in "Aunt Jemimah" and the effect of the speaker's voice on the message of the poem. What is the overall idea of the poem? (Hint: it is about more than just being Aunt Jemimah). Briefly paraphrase the experiences suffered by the speaker of "After Blues." Explain the title. Finally, reflect and comment upon the poet's delivery of her poetry. How would you describe her style or tone and the feel of her reading?
Linda Pastan reads a poem called "Notes from the Delivery Room." Summarize her reflections in this poem. How does she use imagery in her poem? She also reads a poem called "A Short History of Judaic Thought in the 20th Century." Reflect upon the message of this short poem. If someone were to ask you what Linda Pastan's poetry is like, what would you say? Finally, reflect and comment upon the poet's delivery of her poetry. How would you describe her style or tone and the feel of her reading?