Poet Report; eLearning Module 1

This afternoon, please take 5 minutes to gather your notes from last class and prepare the following:

• A brief biography of your chosen poet
• Identify the poem you will be reciting/reading to the class from your chosen collection
• Print out or prepare a copy of your original poem draft

While you are preparing, I will assign you a color and a number group. After 5 minutes of prep time, please go next door to a238 and sit in your assigned grouping.

Example: Robert Bly: Best known for his book Iron John, Robert Bly lives in Minneapolis, MN, and grew up in the countryside. His poetry often includes images of nature. He is a poet laureate of the United States and has won many awards for his poetry. His most recent collection of poetry is "Talking into the Ear of a Donkey" published in 2011. He is now 86 years old. "After Long Busyness" was taken from the collection: Silence in the Snowy Fields.

After Long Busyness

I start out for a walk at last after weeks at the desk. 

Moon gone, plowing underfoot, no stars; not a trace of light!

Suppose a horse were galloping towards me in this open field?

Every day I did not spend in solitude was wasted.

In timed intervals, share your poet's biography, read aloud a sample poem, and share your own poem with your group. When the bell rings, two members of the group will move on to the next station and repeat the process. During the lesson, please listen for further instructions.

After the exercise today, please return to the lab to complete the following:

1. Continue your assignments on eLearning. 

2. Complete your reading of your poet's book. 

3. Write or type up poem drafts you have left in your notebook.

HOMEWORK: Read the article by Mary Oliver on "Diction, Tone, and Voice." Take notes on key important vocabulary and techniques in the chapter including: diction, tone, persona, negative capability, the lyric poem, narrative poetry, long poems, prose poems, poetic diction, cliche, inversion, informal language, syntax, and effective writing.