1. Analyzing and Presenting a Poet
TEST GRADE DUE NEXT WEEK!

2. (1) Use Printed Resource Materials
Pull out what you printed from poets.org, encyclopedia.com, Gale, and any other resources
Highlight the information that you will use to write your mini-bio. Information such as:
Date range of life
Early life and marriages
Writing career
Influences (cultural, other authors, time period/era)
Genre/type of poetry
Awards received or significant contributions
Famous (or well-known) works

3. (2) Write Poet Mini-Bio
I recommend that you read Mrs. Leigh’s example of a mini-bio first. You will write about your own poet like she does
Use the information that you highlighted
Use parenthetical citations whenever you rephrase and/or quote word for word the information you highlighted (just like Mrs. Leigh does in her mini-bio)

4. (3) Polish Works Cited Page
All sources should be correctly cited on your “Works Cited” page alphabetically by author’s last name
Look at Mrs. Leigh’s example of a Works Cited page
Make sure you have the hanging indent

5. (4) Annotate 3 Printed Poems
Make sure you have 3 printed poems written by your poet. Each poem should be printed separately.
Provide at least 3 annotations for each poem. You may ask me for Ms. Shaw’s packet of poems and annotations to help you
Look for these poetic elements: Similes, metaphors, imagery, symbolism, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, personification, alliteration, allusions, characterization, dialogue, diction, form, irony, mood, oxymoron, paradox, parallelism, pun, refrain, repetition, rhyme, rhyme scheme, rhythm, suspense

6. (5) Complete TP-CASTT Complete a TP-CASTT analysis for each poem
Go to my teacher calendar and click on “Fast Break” TP-CASTT to see an example
Your annotations can be used for the C for Connotation box.

7. (6) Write Working Thesis Statement
After annotating and analyzing 3 poems by your poet, you are able to write a working thesis statement
First, identify one or more of your poet’s stylistic techniques (what poetic elements are used a lot or well?)
Then, identify the effect of this stylistic technique

8. (6) Continued…
Finally, combine those two things to write a working thesis statement. Below are examples
Although Shel Silverstein’s poetry is criticized for it simplistic rhythm and rhyme, his playful themes and memorable characters have created a poetic legacy for generations of children to come.
In “The Beep Beep Poem,” Nikki Giovanni’s artful use of diction causes the reader to ponder considerably before gaining clarity.
In “Hanging Fire”, Audre Lorde’s consistent use of repetition emphasizes and reveals the needs of today’s youth—guidance and positive self-esteem.