Poetry Presentations
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Purpose:

Directions:

  1. Choose a published poet NOT on the syllabus. You may want to choose an author you’ve previously analyzed for an independent essay, or you may want to plan your April independent essay around this person.
  2. Sign up for a date to present your poet. We will loosely schedule two-three people per day, one to teach and the others to be "on deck" in case of absence or other extenuating circumstances.
  3. Research your poet, both his/her life and work, as well as criticism of that work. You should be well informed on the poet’s life and historical context, as well as any literary/cultural movements of which this poet was a part. You will need to turn in a bibliography of at least ten sources listed in correct MLA format. Of these ten, at least three but no more than five should be reputable online sources. At least three should be analytical articles from critical journals or books. DO NOT LIST ENCYCLOPEDIAS ON YOUR BIBLIOGRAPHY. Every encyclopedia on your bibliography will cost you three points off your final grade.
  4. Prepare to teach a class on your poet. This includes assigning reading to your classmates ahead of time, if desired. You may give a brief quiz to start your lesson (no more than five points), but if you want it to count for a grade, you should see me at least a day in advance to approve your quiz. You should have in mind which poems you want to discuss and how you want to discuss them. Do you want students to work in groups? As a class? Will you prepare discussion questions on handouts ahead of time or suggest them extemporaneously? What kind of audiovisual aids will you use? How will you hold your classmates’ attention? How will you assess what they’ve learned at the end of class?

        Requirements:

  1. A lesson lasting at least 30 minutes, discussing at least two poems
  2. At least one handout
  3. At least one audio/visual aid. Check with me about poets on CD—I have lots.
  4. A bibliography of ten sources
  5. Readings for your classmates, either in the anthology or on handouts, assigned the class before your lesson.
5.     Go over your plans with me at least two days in advance. I will        gladly make copies if you have them ready for me at least two days before your lesson.

6.    Random advice: Have fun, relax, and be creative. Teach the class in the way you’d like to be taught. Think about using PowerPoint or other technology to ease your way. Look for recordings of your poet’s work. Consider making a video interpretation of a poem. Think about having your class emulate the poet’s style. Choose a poet who genuinely interests and challenges you. Do your research, but don’t feel you need to have all the answers when you teach the class—I certainly don’t.

7.     Note: Students will continue to receive class participation grades during poet presentations.

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