In-Depth Poet Project

AP Lang In-Depth Poet Study

Your Individual Study:

1.  Choose a partner and a poet.  I will okay these.

2.  Find several of your poet’s poems (in book form at Dunn, Indianola Public Library, or my book collection or online at a site that offers free access to your poet’s work).

3.  Read several poems by your selected poet (at least 5), looking for one poem you really get—you know, the one where you “meet at the top of the mountain” or establish that “closeness.” =)

4.  Read the poem closely several times, noticing the poet’s use of rhetorical devices.  Common rhetorical devices in poetry include figures of speech, metaphor/simile, irony, symbols, personification, rhythm and rhyme, sound devices (like onomatopoeia, consonance, alliteration), interesting word choice, and even form/shape. Spend time coming up with an educated interpretation of the poet’s argument.  Make sure you can back it up with the details you noticed, keeping Perrine’s essay in mind.  Take notes--you will verbally explain your OWN interpretation.

5.  Research your poet’s biographical information and the historical/societal context in which they wrote.  Cite your sources.

6.  Read at least two pieces of professional criticism on the poet in general or the poem you’re presenting.  Do this AFTER you’ve completed your own reading and interpretation.  If you have a solid understanding of the poem yourself, criticism should help you clarify and figure out how to present those ideas to the class.  Take notes--in your presentation you will present a summary of each of your critics’ arguments and explain how it affected your own thinking about the poet/poem.  Again, cite your sources.

7.  Complete a correctly formatted works cited page in which you document the sources you used above AND the poem you’ll be presenting.  (A minimum of four sources—at least one bio/historical, two critical, and one poem.)

Your Partner:

Your partner is your moral support—NOT part of your grade!  Poetry is difficult and I realize that some of you are not very comfortable or confident with it.  Your partner will be reading the same poet as you and should be a chance for you to discuss what you’re reading.  You will each choose your own poem, read your own criticism, present your own findings—you are working independently.  However, you can discuss your poet, poems, biographical info, and critical sources either to help each other understand the information better or to get ideas for sources.  Also check to be sure that you’ll be presenting different poems to the class.  You will each have your OWN works cited page with your OWN sources, though you may share a couple.

Your Presentation:

Plan a 5-10 minute presentation in which you and your partner share the poet’s background.  That is the only part you complete together; you'll divide up the info as you like.  Then, individually, you'll read your poem aloud, point out the poet’s rhetorical devices and appeals, and explain your interpretation of the poem, and summarize and respond to the criticism you read.  Be sure that you give credit to the critics that helped you, clearly pointing out where you got your ideas/information if it wasn't your own brainchild. =) 

Your Grade:

Your grade is individual.  I’ll grade your analysis and interpretation of the poem and your ability to present it to the class.  I’ll also grade your choice of quality criticism.  The only thing you will hand in is your works cited page.