Poetry Project Menu

Poetry Project Menu

Directions: Below are options for your poetry project. You will be required to create at least one original poem and at least one analysis of a piece of published poetry. Options of varying difficulties will be worth different amounts of points. Total, you will complete at least 80 points worth of work. Anything over 80 points can be converted to bonus points (at Mr. Spivy’s discretion). Read the directions of each option before making your selections.

Poetry Analysis: Must have at least one from this section.

#1. Lyric Analysis: Complete an analysis chart on a popular song of your choosing. You will need to attach the lyrics to the song to your completed analysis chart. This song should be appropriate. Remember the three-tier process of determining if something is appropriate (if Ms. Mewshaw, your grandma, and Jesus approve…).               

20 pts.

#2. Poem Analysis: Complete an analysis chart on a classic poem (Shakespeare, Poe, Longfellow, Keats, Whitman, Dickinson, Frost, Eliot, Hemingway, Angelou are all permissible poets). If you find a poem that is written by a poet not listed, Mr. Spivy must approve it. Googling and/or google-imaging a poem will probably not cut it. Attach a copy of the poem to a completed analysis chart.

30 pts.

Poetry Creation: Must have at least one from this section. At least one of your poems must be about an aspect of yourself—this is part of your identity project.

#1. Traditional Poem: Write an original poem in a traditional form (limerick, sonnet, cinquains, acrostic, blank verse, or free verse). Your poems can be on any appropriate topic.   You must identify the type of poem at the top of the paper beside the title of your poem. Follow the specific rules of each form (you may research this online). Each poem should have at least one analogy (metaphor/simile) and one example of figurative language/literary device (alliteration, onomatopoeia, rhyme, allusion, or hyperbole).  The poem does not need to be typed, but it must be legible. Note: two cinquains are necessary to receive full credit.  Blank verse, free verse, and acrostic poems must be at least ten lines long.

30 pts

#2. Spoken Word: Perform an original spoken word poem. This poem should rely heavily on rhythm and imagery. There should be several examples of alliteration and rhyme as well as at least two examples of onomatopoeia, allusion, or hyperbole. Model your spoken word off of the ones that we listened to in class. It should be interesting to listen to; it should be presented with confidence. It does not have to be memorized, but it should be practiced ad nauseam before your performance. You will be graded not only on the content of your poem, but also your performance of the poem. You will be required to turn in the text of your spoken word poem the day of the performance. Suggestion: find spoken word poems on YouTube and use them as examples of what to do. This is, not however, an invitation to plagiarize someone else’s work.

50 pts.

Artistic Response:

#1. Visual Art: Read a classic poem (see the list of acceptable poets in #2 of analysis). After reading the poem, draw or paint a picture that represents the poem. You could create a visual representation of the imagery in the poem or create something completely original that somehow reflects the mood or theme of the poem. Your artwork should be on professional paper (printer paper at minimum) that is no smaller than a regular sheet of paper. Part of the grading for this will be based on artistic ability, so if you are not an artist, this is not the option for you. You will also need to write a paragraph explaining how your artwork relates to the poem. Also, attach a copy of the poem to the artwork and explanatory paragraph.

30 pts.

#2. Short Story: Find and read a narrative poem (a poem that tells a story). After reading the poem, transform it from a poem to a short story. This short story should include dialogue, plot elements, setting, and characters. It should be at least five hundred words. You can take some liberties with the creative details, but you cannot completely change the story. Conversely, you cannot copy and paste sections of the poem into your story—all of it must be original writing. The story does not have to be typed, but it must be legible. The story must be at least 300 words. Attach a copy of the original poem to the short story.

30 pts.

If you think of another artistic response to poetry you would like to do, speak with Mr. Spivy to figure out the specific details.