J. CowleyEnglish 8 -12©2000

Poetry Poster Project

Over the next two weeks, you will rummage through bookshelves, library stacks, and the Internet to discover amazing, cool, and exciting poems.

Choose a theme.

Find at least six poems that relate to your theme.

  • Criteria for poem choice
  • Two poems must be written by you.
  • One poem must be written by a Canadian poet. (Yes, lyricists count just check that the song was written by a Canadian, not just performed by one.)
  • One poem must be written by a poet who shares your cultural background. (Define your cultural background as narrowly or as broadly as you want – e.g. TaiwaneseChineseAsian. You may use poems in different languages provided you also include an English translation; you may translate the poem yourself or find one done by another poet.)
  • The choice of the remaining poems is open.

Type or write each poem neatly/decoratively.

Paste the poems onto a poster in a creative, meaningful design.

  • Provide your own poster material. E.g. poster board, wrapping paper, paper shopping bag, cloth, etc.

Decorate the poster to help illustrate your theme.

  • Draw, paint, collage, etc.

Write a brief explanation why you chose each poem (yes, including the ones you wrote) and paste this onto the back of the poster. Also include a bibliography for the poster in MLA format. (NOTE: The reason cannot be “I needed a Canadian poem” or something similar. Discuss why you like it.)

Write your name and block on the back of the poster.

Important Notes:

Remember to include the title and poet with each poem and to indicate which ones are Canadian/Background poems. If a poem has no title use “Untitled”, poets who have withheld their names or who cannot be identified are “Anonymous” or “Unknown”.

The theme of your poster should be evident from reading the poems and should not rely on the decoration or title for clarity. (E.g. If your theme is music, the poems must be about music, not just song lyrics.)

EVALUATION: See criteria on back

POSTERS DUE: ______

Poetry Poster Criteria

Criteria / Explanation / Possible breakdown of marks / Out of…
Choice of Poem / The poster must include and identify
  • Two poems written by you?
  • One Canadian poem?
  • One poem from your cultural background?
  • At least two other poems?
/ 2
1
1
2 / 6
Illustration of the theme /
  • The poems share a common theme.
  • The poster decoration enhances the theme presented with the poems.
/ 6
6 / 12
Explanation of poem choice /
  • Explanations may be in point-form or paragraph form.
  • Explanations should be brief (i.e. no longer than ½ page per poem)
  • Explanation must include the following:
  • Title of the poem
  • Poet
  • Category (see ‘Choice of Poem’)
  • Why you chose the poem (your answer may not be anything like “It fits my theme.” or “I needed a Canadian/African/etc. poem.”) Be specific if possible.
  • A brief explanation of what you feel the poem is about (i.e. explain the theme of each poem in more detail.)
  • Some reference to the poetic devices found in the poem.
  • A personal response to the poem. (This may be part of why you chose the poem, but remember to support your opinion; “I liked it” is not specific enough. What did you like about it?)
/ 1
1
1
1
5
5
5
5 / 24
Bibliography / The bibliography must include an entry for each published poem on the poster. Follow MLA guidelines. Marks will be deducted for incorrect formatting. For you own work, if it is unpublished follow the MLA format for unpublished work. (See below for formatting.) / 10
Creativity / The following will be taken into account:
  • Are the poems displayed in a creative manner? (i.e. not just glued on the page anywhere)
  • Are the poems arranged in a symbolic or otherwise significant manner?
  • Is the theme unusual?
  • Does the poster’s decoration show evidence of thoughtful planning? (This may include unusual media, shapes, or methods of decoration used for a particular effect.)
/ 2
2
2
2 / 8
Presentation / This mark is for the overall visual appeal of the poster. You need not be an artist to receive full marks for presentation, but you must pay attention to detail and take care in the planning and construction of your poster.
The poster must be neat and legible and should be no larger than a single piece of standard poster board (22” x 34”). There should be no ‘sticky bits’ from gluing or decorations that will easily fall off the poster. Also if you are gluing ‘things’ onto your poster, make certain that the poster is still light enough to stay taped on the wall. / 10
TOTAL
/ 70

Using MLA Style to cite poems

EXAMPLES (NB: These works/sites do not exist, they were invented for the examples)

Poem from a website

Claus, Santa. "Gifts Around the World." Pole Poems. Toronto, 1957. Northern Arts Guild.

Ed. Clara Claus. May 1999. North Pole Arts College. 12 June 1999 < arts.edu/poems/carlin/logs.html>.

Poem from a book that is a collection of several authors' works

Frost, Jack. "Brrrrr." Winter Chills. Ed. Nort H. Wind. London: Poetry Press, 1972. 32-41.

Poem from a collection of works by one author

Doolittle, Eliza. "Fresh Roses." How to Sell a Garden. New York: Conventry Publishing,

1983. 1-2.

Citing your own poems (and those of your friends, relatives, etc.)

If you are including previously unpublished work on your poster written by you or someone you know, use the following format.

Last name, First name. “Title of Poem.” Date written.

Example:

Smith, Devon. “Sweet Chickadee.” 15 Sept. 2000.