Poet Project

For this project, you will need to:

1. Select a contemporary poet/poetry book.  Read the poems

2. Research this person's life and writing

3. Prepare a written report about your findings and deliver an oral presentation 4-5 minutes

Here are the topics you need to cover in your research and your report:

Personal Background

In no more than 1 paragraph, give some information about your selected poet's life.  Include things like when and where this person lived, where he/she went to school, major life events and accomplishments, and so on.  I do not want this person's entire life story—just some highlights!

Poetic Style

In another paragraph or two, discuss the poetic type, style, and subject matter this person is known for.  For example, did he/she write free verse or sonnets?    Did he/she write about love or war or death or funny things?  What are some of his/her most famous poems? Why are those poems famous?

Selected Poem

Read several poems by your poet and then select one to include in your report.   Type it out or copy it into your work.  Be sure to include the title of the poem (if there is one) and the year that it was written.

Poem Analysis

For the poem you chose in the step above, provide your own analysis of the poem's meaning.  This should be at least 1 paragraph in length, but could be two or more paragraphs long depending on the poem you chose.  In your analysis, explain what the poem is about.  What is the poet trying to convey to the reader?  Provide evidence from the poem to support your thoughts.  Remember, DO NOT use "I" in your formal writing.

GRADING

You will be evaluated on the following things:

Following the written directions above          Thoroughness/Completeness of work Writing content, organization, and style Proper grammar and writing conventions

Research/Evidence of learning Neatness Use of sentence patterns