English 11 Poetry Assignment

English 11 Poetry Assignment: Playing with Poetry

Due: ______

For this assignment, you will either write a poem or you will translate a poem into a new format.

OPTION ONE: Writing a poem. You can choose to write a specific form poem (an ode, a sonnet, a villanelle – these ones are very challenging!! – or a free verse). You can choose to brainstorm a list and turn that into a poem (A list of … things I know to be true; things I wish weren’t true; etc) or you can simply write. Poem must be at least 8 lines unless you are using a specific form which is shorter.

a)  Write a free verse poem – one that doesn’t require a particular rhyme pattern but that follows some theme or idea.

§  Include a brief explanation of why you chose to write what you did.

§  Identify one line or word choice you thought was particularly powerful and justify your choice.

OR

b)  Out of the list of poetic forms below, construct one poem of your own making.

§  Include a brief explanation of which poetic form you chose and why.

§  Poetic form options:

·  1. Sestina; 2. Villanelle; 3. Sonnet (Elizabethan or Italian); 4. Triolet

OPTION TWO: Transfiguring a poem

Step One: Select a poem that you like and illustrate the poem. Rewrite the poem onto a piece of white paper. Select words that you feel hold meaning, and play with the text to make them stand out. You may choose to colour, draw or insert images. Be thoughtful and ensure that the images are relevant to the content. For example, don’t choose “Blueberry Picking” and illustrate it with pictures from The Avengers film; it just wouldn’t make sense. Also, do not just draw a basket of blueberries. Consider the images and create something thoughtful.

This assignment may be submitted in hard copy or digitally.

Step Two: In a brief paragraph, explain why you chose to illustrate your poem the way did.

English 11: Playing with poetry

For this part, you will either write a poem or you will translate a poem into a new format.

OPTION ONE: Writing a poem:

a.  Write a poem of at least 8 lines.

–  Use at least one metaphor or simile

–  Use at least one alliteration

–  Have a least one pair of lines that rhyme.

Attach your poem to this assignment and complete the following:

Why did you choose to write the poem that you did?

OPTION TWO: Transfiguring a poem

Step One: Select a poem that you like and illustrate the poem.

Rewrite or type the poem onto a piece of white paper. You may choose to colour, draw or insert images.

Be thoughtful and ensure that the images are relevant to the content. For example, don’t choose

“Blueberry Picking” and illustrate it with pictures from The Avengers film; it just wouldn’t make sense.

This assignment may be submitted in hard copy or digitally.

Complete the following:

Why did you choose to illustrate the poem the way that you did?