Extended Metaphor /Sunflower Activity -2014

A metaphor is a comparison of two unlike things which does not use “like” or “as.” For example, “Time is money” is a metaphor comparing the abstract idea of “time” to the concrete image of “money” in order to stress time’s importance. Read the following two poems. Please pay attention to the structure (sentence 1: abstract noun = concrete noun with a short explanation/ sentence 2 : “It is” plus another concrete noun).

“LOYALTY” - Megan Trahan

Loyalty is the floppy-eared puppy that waits in the window for her master to return.

It is a hand that pulls a person back to his feet and it’s the eye that sees beyond the obvious and beyond the faults.

Loyalty is a friend and companion; it is a pet and a buddy.

It’s the flower that stays open while the others close, and the bird that keeps singing long after nightfall. Loyalty is the voice that scares the monsters out from under the bed.

It’s the person with a white and maroon face in the stands cheering for his team even though the score is

fifty-seven to nothing.

It is the Band-Aid that heals the deepest wound.

Loyalty is a ring on a left-hand finger, a vow in a church, and a meaningful kiss. It is the bold Purple Heart pinned on the veteran’s chest.

Loyalty is a pack of wolves and a group of yaks.

“Graduation” - Anonymous

Graduation is the ribbon for the marathon runner. It is a camera with a flash.

Graduation is the touchdown in football.

It is the fork in a winding road that leads to a special destination. Graduation is the grand finale.

It is the trophy of a dance competition.

Graduation is the child riding a bike without training wheels. It is the location finally reached after a long plane ride.

Graduation is the rainbow after the rain.

It is the period at the end of the sentence.

Now you will create your own poem describing an abstract idea. Instructions:

1.  Choose one of the following abstract ideas: Freedom, Innovation, Respect, Excellence, Integrity, Responsibility, Graduation, Education, or Senioritis. (Or choose one of your own and have it approved by me.)

2.  Then compose a metaphor poem for your abstract idea.

3.  Each line of your individual poem should begin with the same syntactical structure (Parallelism).

“Loyalty is…” / “It is…” See the examples above and follow the pattern!

4.  The poem should be ten lines.

5.  Use elaboration techniques (such as vivid imagery, detail, adjectives etc.) to describe the concrete images.

6.  The poem should be typed, at least 12 point font in size.

7.  Add a decorative border or clip art. Take pride in your work for it will be published.

8.  Make sure you use concrete nouns that are completely different from the abstract nouns.

Right: Love is a rose that sometimes shows its thorns. Wrong: Love is holding hands on cold winter nights.

Sunflower Project

Guidelines:

1.  Using the provided template, trace the sunflower shapes onto construction paper/poster board.

Total pieces for final project: 2 circles, 5 long pointed petals, 5 short pointed petals, 5 long blunt petals and 5 short blunt petals (see template)

2.  Cut out and assemble your sunflower.

·  Sandwich the petals between the two circles. Space and layer the petals to achieve a uniform, attractive look.

·  Decorate one side of one of your sunflower with pictures, images, decorations, and embellishments that represent YOU! (minimum: 7 items)

·  Use a variety of magazine cutouts, clipart, words, pictures, stamps, stickers, decorative papers, stencils—BE CREATIVE!

·  The metaphor poem goes in the middle of the other side. Decorate this side as well, but use items related to your poem. (Minimum: 7 items).

·  Focus on one aspect of your life. (should have a theme)

Found Headline Poem-- Materials—newspapers and magazines; glue / glue sticks; scissors; construction paper

Use “found” words (newspaper, magazines, brochures, etc.) in artistic and unexpected ways as a poem. Create a stream of consciousness poem that focuses on a theme, message, or lesson in life; use randomly found words of every day culture.

Gather 100+ clippings of words and groups of words from a variety of material and from different sections of newspapers and magazines. Use all parts of speech and different fonts/ sizes. Use appropriate punctuation, grammar, and spelling. Mount on colorful construction paper and create an effective title.

Don’t just clip from advertisements or your poem won’t sound individual; look in sources you wouldn’t normally read.

You must include either two extended metaphors – OR – one extended metaphor and the sunflower – OR – one extended metaphor and the headline poem.

If you do two extended metaphors – put them on the same page. If you do the extended metaphor and the headline poem – put one on the front and the other on the back.

The completed project is due at the beginning of class on Friday, 8/29.