What Should the Format Be?
When this class is taught in-person, students give a presentation in front of the class. In our remote version of the assignment, there is no “required” format. However, here are some ideas of ways to do it.
It can be written something like one of my recaps: In these, I tackle many different elements, and bring in outside information as I see fit. You do not need to bring in outside information in the same way I do (though you may); your focus is within the poem itself. You’ll notice that I in Recaps I tend to use headers because this helps me organize my thoughts and indicate when I am talking about a new aspect. You do not need to use headers although you may.
Since you are submitting the presentations to introduce your fellow students (and me) to a new poem, you might consider their response. Think about the kind of student work/presentations that keep you interested, and perhaps choose in that way. Think about what might be unclear to you in a response, the areas where you want to be especially clear.
Please note that you will not get higher or lower points based on which format you choose. The grade is based on the depth and clarity of the presentation.
You can review the Poetry Presentation Rubric here so that you know what you will be graded on.
What Should I Write in the Poetry Presentation?
Foremost, this is a literary analysis, just as Paper 1 (Fiction) was a literary analysis. While there are a few different elements to the presentation, the main part of the PP is the analysis. (Explaining the obvious in the poem is not analysis. If something is obvious, it should not need to be explained by you.)
1. Cut-and-paste the poem at the start of the presentation, including its page number(s) in our book or its link. If it is a very, very long poem, you do not need to paste it all in, but do give page numbers or links so that your groupmates and I can read it.
2. Explain briefly what about the poem compels you; probe more deeply than, “Because I like it.” When you talk about what compels you, you can be briefly specific about your own experience, but do not show us how each point in the poem relates to your experience. Use your experience to show how the elements of the poem connect more abstractly to the human experience. This should be no longer than 1 paragraph or 1 slide.
3. You may add brief biographical information as it pertains to the poem (or the poet’s body of work). Do not give a whole block of biography; that is not literary analysis. Also, you do not need to give biographical information. This should be no longer than 1 paragraph or 1slide.
4. Analyze the poem. While I ask you in Point 2 above to briefly give your personal reaction to the poem, this assignment, like the Fiction paper, is a literary analysis and now it is time to get analytical. You will want to focus on the elements of the poem, and, importantly, show how they are effective. Be specific – use words, images, phrases from the poem to indicate how an element is used. You can also be more abstract, and discuss broader themes. If you wish, refer back to my recaps to see how I analyze the poems that I’ve assigned for the class. This analysis is the heart of the assignment and should be 3 or more paragraphs or 6 or more slides. Images are fine, too, but they are not instead of your analysis.
5. Ask at least 1 question of your group mates. How to do this? Take a look at my discussion questions for the poetry readings; these will show you numerous examples. Do not ask, “Do you like this poem?” (I do this, as a preliminary to your “getting into” the poem, but this is not a deep enough question for you to use; it doesn’t illustrate critical thinking.)
Be creative and probing!
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/161355/moving-towards-home
