1. Poetry spoken in two voices
Two-Voice Poetry
Poetry spoken in two voices

2. What makes a good poem?
Brainstorm why poetry is powerful.

3. Two Voice Poetry is a poem from two different points of view.
These two points of view speak together and alone in a two-voice poem.
They sometimes compliment each other’s voices
Other times they clash with the other voice
The purpose is two-fold: 1-to create a poem that shares two views; 2-create the sound of the views being expressed

4. Listen to these examples of two-voice poems:
YouTube examples

5. What stood out to you about these poems?
Brainstorm how these poems worked.
What was different about the poems?
What caught your attention?
What parts worked?
What parts didn’t work?

6. Let’s try it out with some published poems
As a class, let’s look at a two-voice poem.
First, we should read ONE column of the poem. Now, read the other column.
Now read the whole poem together (volunteer).
Discuss these questions:
What is the poem about?
How does it capture the voices of the subject of the poem?
Does the poem help you picture the subject of the poem? How?
In what unique ways does the poem use words, sounds?
What parts are spoken together?
Why do you think these parts are spoken together?

7. Let’s try it with a partner:
Pick a partner. (only two people in a group)
Pick a two-voice poem from the poems in the front of the room.
Alone, read ONE column of the poem. Now, read the other column.
Now read the whole poem with your partner.
Discuss these questions with your partner:
What is the poem about?
How does it capture the voices of the subject of the poem?
Does the poem help you picture the subject of the poem? How?
In what unique ways does the poem use words, sounds?
What parts are spoken together?
Why do you think these parts are spoken together?
Practice the poem together and get ready to perform it to the class (in one day)

8. READ POEMS
Perform poems to class.

9. Review: What are two-voice poems?
What makes a two-voice poem effective?

10. What topics might work well for two-voice poems?
VERSUS
___________ versus ________
________ versus __________
Goes Well Together
_________ and __________

11. Choose a topic
Choose a topic and then begin drafting a poem. Remember to use rhyme, alliteration, parts that speak together and separate, alternating phrases, clashing phrases, circular phrases, etc.
Voice 1
Together
Voice 2