1. Bellringer Sept. 10 and 11 Get out your “If” poem and notes.
Identify one place in the poem where Kipling seems to address the idea of having balance. Highlight, circle or box this idea.

2. Re-read the poem so that it is fresh today.
Add more details to your notes.
Choose examples which seem to be important.
When looking for words which help determine the speaker’s tone, look for words in each stanza which seem to pop out at you.
The tone will be the sum total of those words.

3. Find the pattern! What do they have in common?
Once you have finished compiling your examples on the notecards, examine the examples. Spread them out on your desk.
You should have examples from all of the stanzas – not just one or two.
What do they have in common?
How do the examples fit together?

4. What is the tone? (Kipling’s attitude towards becoming a man?)
Check out the tone wheel to help you find specific words to describe the tone.
Based on the speaker’s tone, what do you think Kipling is saying about being a man?

5. Look at your pattern cards.
With your partner, determine what you think is the theme (THE Message). What is Kipling’s point?
Look at your pattern cards.
Mark the examples which connect to your stated theme. What pattern emerges with the literary devices and the examples?

6. Write a letter to the absent kid (This is an assignment which will be graded.)
Dear __________,
We read “If” by Rudyard Kipling. The poem is about what it takes to become a man. His theme is: __________________________. He creates this theme by:
(explain how he creates the theme: use examples from each card; BALANCE; “quotations from the poem” – explain how each example and quotation fits the theme)

7. Take the quiz! This quiz is short and you only have today.
You may use your notecards to help you.