1. Emily Dickinson
Where Ships of Purple—gently toss— On Seas of Daffodil— Fantastic Sailors—mingle— And then—the Wharf is still!
Make one or two absolutely literal statements about the text (ones that no one could disagree with).
Briefly describe the central tension of the text
Make one interpretive statement about an image in the text (one in which you ascribe meaning or investigate a meaning beyond the literal. Be prepared to defend your interpretation with evidence from the text.)
Make a central assertion that captures the most valid meaning/message of the text.
Ask one key question about the poem.

2. “This Is Just to Say” --William Carlos Williams
I have eaten the plums that were in the icebox and which you were probably saving for breakfast Forgive me they were delicious so sweet and so cold
Make one or two absolutely literal statements about the text (ones that no one could disagree with).
Briefly describe the central tension of the text
Make one interpretive statement about an image in the text (one in which you ascribe meaning or investigate a meaning beyond the literal. Be prepared to defend your interpretation with evidence from the text.)
Make a central assertion that captures the most valid meaning/message of the text.
Ask one key question about the poem.

3. “Harlem” –Langston Hughes
What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over— like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode?
Make one or two absolutely literal statements about the text (ones that no one could disagree with).
Briefly describe the central tension of the text
Make one interpretive statement about an image in the text (one in which you ascribe meaning or investigate a meaning beyond the literal. Be prepared to defend your interpretation with evidence from the text.)
Make a central assertion that captures the most valid meaning/message of the text.
Ask one key question about the poem.

4. “The Facebook Sonnet” --Sherman Alexie
Welcome to the endless high-school Reunion. Welcome to past friends And lovers, however kind and cruel. Let's undervalue and unmend The present. Why can't we pretend Every state of life is the same? Let's exhume, resume, and extend Childhood. Let's all play the games That occupy the young. Let fame And shame intertwine. Let one's search For God become public domain. Let church.com become our church. Let's sign up, sign in, and confess
Ask one key question about the poem.
Make one or two absolutely literal statements about the text (ones that no one could disagree with).
Briefly describe the central tension of the text
Make one interpretive statement about an image in the text (one in which you ascribe meaning or investigate a meaning beyond the literal. Be prepared to defend your interpretation with evidence from the text.)
Make a central assertion that captures the most valid meaning/message of the text.