Group 1
"I Hear America Singing," by Walt Whitman p. 532
Performing the Poem (before you perform the poem give some background information on Whitman)
The tone of this poem is admiring, grateful, showing a fraternal attitude.
· Poetry Assignment
Write a poem in which you imagine many people in different places engaged in activities all at the same moment. Make sure that, like Whitman, you tell exactly what each person is doing (The carpenter ... measures his plank or beam / The shoemaker ... sits on his bench). Feel free, instead of professions, to identify people by name. They could be celebrities or people you know (if you have permission to include them). What is each doing at four o'clock in the afternoon, for example?
Group 2
“A Noiseless Patient Spider” by Walt Whitman p. 538
Performing the Poem (before you perform the poem give some background information on Whitman)
The tone of this poem is thoughtful, suggesting a sense of aloneness.
· Poetry Assignment
Write a poem in which you compare your soul’s progress to an animal or insect’s life.
Group 3
“Beat! Beat! Drums!” by Walt Whitman p. 539
Performing the Poem (before you perform the poem give some background information on Whitman)
The tone of this poem is loud, forceful, and urgent.
· Poetry Assignment
Write a poem in which you describe a noise that urges people to action.
Group 4
“My Life had stood a Loaded Gun” by Emily Dickinson p. 554
Performing the Poem (before you perform the poem give some background information on Dickinson)
The author’s style is unique because of the dashes and the abbreviated use of words. It creates an unusual rhythmic, musical effect.
· Poetry Assignment
Write a poem in which you compare your life to a weapon.
Group 5
“I heard a Fly buzz when I died” by Emily Dickinson p. 553
Performing the Poem (before you perform the poem give some background information on Dickinson)
The author’s style is unique because of the dashes and the abbreviated use of words. It creates an unusual rhythmic, musical effect.
· Poetry Assignment
Write a poem in which the speaker describes her final moments in life, which is interrupted by something insignificant.
Group 6
“Success is counted sweetest” by Emily Dickinson p. 550
Performing the Poem (before you perform the poem give some background information on Dickinson)
The author’s style is unique because of the dashes and the abbreviated use of words. It creates an unusual rhythmic, musical effect.
· Poetry Assignment
Write a poem in which you describe success.
Group 7
“The Soul selects her own Society” by Emily Dickinson p. 552
Performing the Poem (before you perform the poem give some background information on Dickinson)
The author’s style is unique because of the dashes and the abbreviated use of words. It creates an unusual rhythmic, musical effect.
· Poetry Assignment
Write a poem in which you describe the experience of choosing a friend.