1. Definitions for Writers Notebook
Elegy - a sad poem expressing grief or sorrow over the death of a person, place, or thing.
usually someone the poet admired, loved or respected
a place that was meaningful, sacred, or special
a thing like an object, an idea, or a habit.
No specific format, but the mood must be a somber (sad) one.

2. “Martin Luther King, Jr.” by Gwendoly Brooks pg. 465
A man went forth with gifts. He was a prose poem. He was a tragic grace. He was a warm music. He tried to heal the vivid volcanoes. His ashes are reading the world. His Dream still wishes to anoint the barricades of faith and of control. His word still burns the center of the sun, above the thousands and the hundred thousands. The word was Justice. It was spoken. So it shall be spoken. So it shall be done.

3. “Death of a Young Son by Drowning” by Margaret Atwood Title – Make a prediction about the poem.

4. Discussion Questions
Paraphrase - Describe the story of the poem. Who is the speaker?
Connotation – Label figurative language and sound devices. Identify the extended metaphor in the first 7 stanzas. What might the river represent? Is the connotation positive or negative.
Attitude and Shift - Where are the shifts? How does this affect the attitude of the speaker?
What was your interpretation of the last two lines?
Revisit the Title. Was your prediction correct?
Theme - What do you think is the theme of this poem?

5. What are some possible topics?
People you’ve known
People you admire
Bad Habits
Phases of your life
Relationships
Places that no longer exist.
Free Write about one or two of these ideas. Focus on specific memories surrounding your ideas. You will write for 15 minutes.

6. Requirements for an Elegy
It must be at least 15 lines
You must use two figurative language
You must use one sound device
It needs to express sadness over the loss of someone you admire, a bad habit, a stage of your life, a time or place that no longer exists.