Tomorrow we'll begin presentations. Bring:

• a copy of lyrics annotated with literary devices and rhyming

• copy of the song (CD or a YouTube link for me to pull up - BLEEPED IF NEEDED)

• TP-CASTT answered (see below) 

 

Introduction to Poetry - Billy Collins

I ask them to take a poem
and hold it up to the light
like a color slide

or press an ear against its hive.
I say drop a mouse into a poem
and watch him probe his way out,
or walk inside the poem's room
and feel the walls for a light switch.

I want them to waterski
across the surface of a poem
waving at the author's name on the shore.

But all they want to do
is tie the poem to a chair with rope
and torture a confession out of it.
They begin beating it with a hose
to find out what it really means.


Title: Before reading the poem/looking closely at the song, think about what the title could mean. Predict what the poem/song is about.
This poem must be about poetry in some way. It's probably about what you need to know to understand the basics of poetry.

Paraphrase: In your own words, paraphrase or summarize what what happens and what is said in the poem/song.

The poet wants his students to experience poetry to enjoy it and take their time with it. However, they instead attach the poems for information rather than reading for enjoyment and meaning.

Connotation: What literary/poetic devices are in the poem/song? Imagery,
Collins uses a simile and many metaphors to show how he wants the students to gently approach poetry and then how they attack it instead.

Attitude: Tone - how does the singer/poet feel about what they are writing about (frustrated, calm, angry, happy...)
Collins feels hopeful that the students will enjoy poetry more, but amused and slightly frustrated that they insist on struggling with it.

Shift: Are there any changes in time, tone, or speaker?
Collins' tone shifts when he goes from talking about how he wants students to interact with poetry to how they actually do.

Title: Were your predictions true? Any new meanings of the title that you now see?
Collins' title refers to the name of a class, which is appropriate because it's about what he hopes his students will get out of learning poetry with him.

Theme: What insight about life does all components of TP-CASTT create?
Students should enjoy poetry rather than being frustrated by not understanding it fully.


Today: TP-CASTT one of Rudy Francisco's poems (Love Poem, Immortality, Your God) and turn in. Get started on your analysis of the song you picked.