ENG 20-1: Poetry Unit Outline
Mr. Steel
During this unit of study on poetry,
students will develop their interpretive skills and reading comprehension
through daily reading and analyzing, as well as comparing and contrasting a
number of classic poems. Students will develop an understanding of poetic
devices and literary terminology through independent research, creative
application, and formal testing. All students will write a formal critical
essay on a poem of their choice. Finally, students will have the opportunity to
examine the relation of poetry with music through independent analysis and oral
presentation of a musical lyric of their choice.
WORK AND ASSESSMENT
Minor Assignment
Students
will engage in analysis and interpretation of selected poetry. Reading comprehension assignments will
be graded for quality of thought, understanding, and literacy (sentence
structure, syntax).
Minor Assignment
All
students will write a creative poem
in order to demonstrate their facility with various poetic and literary
devices. Each poem will be accompanied by the student's analysis of at least FIVE poetic devices being
used.
Major Assignment
Students
will choose their favourite poem. It is not necessary that the poem be one that
we have studied in class. Students will write a double-spaced, four-page (1000
word) critical essay about this
poem. Students may choose from one of the following topics (others are
possible):
|
Ø
death Ø
love Ø
hardship or suffering Ø
nature |
Ø
divinity Ø
social (in)justice Ø
evil Ø
wisdom |
Each
student submission should follow the guidelines I have laid out for previous
essays. Also, please attach a copy of the poem that you are examining in your
essay.
Major Assignment
Each
student will research the meanings of specific poetic and literary terminology
on an assigned list. Students will be expected to study, to understand, and to
apply all terms correctly, as these will appear on the Poetry Unit Test.
Major Assignment
Every
student will make an oral presentation
of the lyrics to a song of their choice. Students are expected to explain the meaning of the song, its
significance, as well as the artist's use of at least FIVE literary or poetic devices.