Poetry Annotation Response Fun

Poetry study is an important part of this class-and life. Through reading and examining poetry, we are given not only a window into the author but a window into ourselves. The best poetry allows the reader to experience events and thoughts specific to the poet, while at the same time encouraging the reader to make connections to the present time and his or her own life. In understanding others, we can learn to understand ourselves.

Each section of poetry is introduced with a reading selection that allows the poem to be read with an understanding of its historical and biographical perspective. Assignments give you an opportunity to think critically about and synthesize information from both fiction and non-fiction pieces, while supporting assertions with specific textual evidence.

You will receive a handout, “How to Annotate a Passage,” in class the first week of school. You will use this as the guide for your responses.

Due Date (Reading assignment) Textbook section

August 29th(Read pages 1-19) Pick a poem from pages 28-150

September 12th(Read 157-173) and 26th p. 190-375

October 10th(Read pages 353-363 and 389-390) and 24th p. 385-408

November 7th and 21st p. 409-437

(or any other Whitman or Dickinson poem not in the textbook)

December 5th (Read pages 442-461) and 19th p. 508-668

January 9th (Read pages 630-647) and 23rd p. 669-803

February 13th and 27th p. 819-881

March 13th (Read pages 886-905) and 27th p. 910-1157

April 10th and 24th p. 1159-1193

May 8th and 22nd p. 1297-1326