Reading Assignments

Note: the first reading and discussion assignments are closely integrated in a step by step process.  Follow instructions carefully.   You'll want to get started early! Note that these are not the only reading and discussion assignments for the unit.  

Complete steps 1-4 of the following process by Monday, June 27 at 10PM
Step One:

Read Meyer, Chapters 18 and 19. These chapters will help you understand the application of elements of poetry to specific poems.

Then read:

pg. 509 The Fish

pg. 671 My Papa's Waltz

pg. 549 To His Coy Mistress

Without consulting any sources, make brief notes about your first impressions of each poem.

Step 2 
Before proceeding to the next reading assignment, which is Step 3, complete Discussion assignment 1:
On the Poetry Discussion Forum, reply to all three of my prompts for Week 10  Discussion Assignment.  You'll need the brief notes you made on the 3 poems you read in step 1:  "The Fish," My Papa's Waltz," and "To His Coy Mistress."

Step 3

Read (online--click on link below)

Elements of Poetry  Click on each element, read the definition, and then click on the links that show how each element functions in the example poems.  Make sure you also listen to the audio versions of each poem as well. 

Step 4 

Discussion assignment 2:
On the Poetry Discussion Forum go to your post (from Step two) for each of the three poems, and reply to yourself.  How has hearing each poem read and seeing how the elements of poetry function in each poem enhanced or changed you first impression? 

Step 5 (complete by Tuesday June 28)

Read and reply to the posts above and below yours in each poem's thread

Further reading:
Read Marianne Moore's "Poetry," Meyer pg 898-99.   See associated journal topic under the Writing Assignments link for this week. 

Chapters 20-27 discuss the elements of poetry in depth and include examples to help you understand how these elements work.  We do not have time to review all of these chapters in their entirety, but you should be familiar with the elements of poetry, as you will be writing about some of them in Essay Three.

Chapter 28 discusses poetic form and is essential for one of the Essay Three options.

Essay Assignment # 3

Discussion Assignments  
In addition to the 5 step discussion outlined above, 
By Wednesday, June 29, post an entry on the Poetry Discussion Board telling the class which option you have chosen for Essay Three; including the poem (if you chose Options 3 or 4) that you will explicate or analysis.  Also tell the class any ideas you have about your poem that you will try to develop in your essay.  Read and reply to others.

Writing Assignments

Reading Journal 3 (due Wed 6/29 at 10 PM)

(300 words)--subject: Read Marianne Moore's "Poetry" (Meyer 1175).  In your journal entry, discuss the poem's theme.   Who according to Moore is really interested in poetry?  Submit via email and Digital Drop box.  

Essay 3 Rough Drafts (due Tuesday 7/5 at 10 PM)
post to the Peer Review Workshop Forum
Peer Reviews (due Wednesday 7/6 at 10 PM)
Essay Three final draft (due Thursday 7/7 at 10 PM)

Reading Quiz  available Sunday June, 26  but due (it will disappear) Thursday 7/7 by midnight

This quiz includes information on the elements of poetry.    Warning: do not launch the quiz until you are ready to take it as there are absolutely no retakes.  The quiz will lock you out and will not record any items if you exceed the allotted time.

Reading  Ahead

The smart bet is to begin reading The Awakening, our semester novel bit by bit as you complete the rest of the semester units.  The essay for The Awakening is 2000 words, so take notes as you read.

You may order the novel online
OR you may read the novel online