Poetry Assignment 3

Due Wednesday, May 10. Typed, double-spaced, and printed.

This assignment has two parts. The first part is a poem that is informed by a concept that your poetry group agreed upon. The second part is a short essay (one page) that interprets the poem. Type your poem and interpretation and be prepared to recite your poem for your video group on the 10th.

In your interpretation, in addition to restating what the poem means you should trace your own poetic development through your poems. Can you detect themes that you are developing through multiple poems? How have your poems changed, and how have they illuminated different aspects of the themes that you have chosen? How are your poems related to one or more poems by other people in your group? How is your third poem related to poems from previous quarters of ICS24/ELIT24? How is your third poem different? How is your third poem related to the poem concept that your group developed?

For this poem remember to pay attention to sound. If your poem is part of a video then the way it flows, the breaks, the rhythm, and the way it sounds will be very important. Recite your poem at least once, and edit your poem so that it sounds the way you want it to sound and so that it is easy for you to recite.

There are two general rules for all poems, regardless of concept:

  1. Dreams must have material content and must be grounded in reality. Dreams should be grounded in an imagined daily life and in imagined social relations.
  2. Do not use the word stereotype. If necessary, you can refer to how you believe you were seen and the consequences of being seen in that way.

Poetry Concepts

In class on May 8 your poetry group will decide on concepts for your poems. Concepts include a prevailing message, one or more imagined communities as recipients for the message, and the formal rules for the poems. The concept for your group should guide you as you write your poem for this assignment. For examples of concepts, look at descriptions of poetry videos from previous quarters.

You will need to write a new poem, but you can use topics that you have developed in previous poems. If your video group selects your poem for its video you will need to edit and revise your poem later on.

Group Concepts

  • Wifi
  • Connect 5
  • LoL
  • Coconut Water
  • Pac 12
  • KLR
  • Sofa King
  • GGWP
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