Choice #1 Instructions for Lyric Mashup

1. Print the lyrics from 3 songs. Bring to class. You will hand in the copies.

2. Read each song and underline or highlight the words/phrases that you will use in your poem.

3. Study the words/phrases and decide on the order in which they will go.

4. Write a first draft. Put the words/phrases on notebook paper, spacing or arranging them so they’re poem-like. You may want to put key words at the ends of beginnings of lines. Or you may want to break up words that often “go together” [like “white clouds,” by ending one line with “white” and starting the next line with “clouds.”] Break lines so you emphasize key words, get good sounds at the ends of lines, or heighten the reader’s interest.

Arrange the words/phrases to read the way you like. You may want to put

key

words

on lines by themselves.

Or you may want to arrange the words so that your poem is thin or wide or creates a shape.

To emphasize words, you may PRINT THEM LARGE, underline them, or use different handwriting or fonts.

Your job is to arrange the language you chose so as to enhance or improve it, to make it interesting, look good, and be good to read. At the bottom of the poem, write the title of the song lyrics from which the words came.

Create an original title.

5. Write or type a final draft (not on notebook paper). Staple the final draft on top of your 3 printed lyrics. You may also submit your final draft to Google Classroom. COUNTS AS A QUIZ GRADE.

Choice #2 Instructions for Found Poetry

1. Read the excerpt and underline or highlight the words/phrases that you will use in your poem.

2. Study the words/ phrases and decide on the order in which they will go.

3. Write a first draft. Put the words/phrases on notebook paper, spacing or arranging them so they’re poem-like. You may want to put key words at the ends of beginnings of lines. Or you may want to break up words that often “go together” [like “white clouds,” by ending one line with “white” and starting the next line with “clouds.”] Break lines so you emphasize key words, get good sounds at the ends of lines, or heighten the reader’s interest.

Arrange the words/phrases to read the way you like. You may want to put

key

words

on lines by themselves.

Or you may want to arrange the words so that your poem is thin or wide or creates a shape.

To emphasize words, you may PRINT THEM LARGE, underline them, or use different handwriting or fonts.

Your job is to arrange the language you chose so as to enhance or improve it, to make it interesting, look good, and be good to read. At the bottom of the poem, write the title of the song lyrics from which the words came.

Create an original title.

4. Write or type a final draft (not on notebook paper). Hand in or submit to Google Classroom.

COUNTS AS A QUIZ GRADE.

Choice #3 Poem with Two Voices

1. Following the example below, write an ORIGINAL poem with two speakers—people, places, things, or ideas. They should have something in common, but they should also be different. Nature makes great subject matter for poetry for two voices, but two voice poems can also be written about family, history, school, sports, current events, or events or characters in literature and movies. The different voices should be placed on the right and left hand sides of your paper. The common voice should be in the center. You must have a minimum of 5 exchanges.

2. Write or type a final draft of your poem. Do not write the final draft on notebook paper. You may also submit your poem to Google Classroom. COUNTS AS A QUIZ GRADE.

Poem with Two Voices by Brandon Woods

The Veteran The Young Soldier

I’ve seen war inside out

The war is something I

barely know about

We are soldiers.

I’ve had to beat a man and

watch him die

I’ve never even hurt a fly

We go to war.

People dying is part of war

Just losing someone would

be sheer horror

We have lost loved ones.

I’ve shot a gun and thrown

a grenade

I can’t even aim, my skill

may not gain

We fight.

I’ve fought in battles and

did not fall

It’s my turn now I’ll

answer the call

I’ve done my part I have

no regrets

I can’t back down now, I’ll

do my best

We are the heroes of war.