A Controversy of Poets: for 11/23

Final Project

Final Project and Porfolio. READ THIS CAREFULLY.
On 12/16 your portfolio of poems and ten-page essay will be due. This should include:
a collection of ten finished poems; plus the written essay, which includes an analysis of six poems from books, including three written before 1960. Comment on the aspects of poetics in these works as they relate to your own poems.
The ten pages includes the discussion of published poems and of your own poems. You can divide it into two halves of around five+ pages each or mix them together. I suggest doing the latter.
--you should describe the process of revision, specifically referring to the revision of your poems;
--your discussion as a whole (including both the published poems and your own work) should focus on the aspects of poetics we've covered in class (many of which are also discussed in this blog):
***ways of unifying a poem: as a story, through the use of a "conceit" or motif, as a philosophical investigation; a record of thoughts; a speech-like monologue - or a mix of any of these styles
***use of line breaks to complicate or enhance the meaning of the language in free verse
***use of metrical feet, syllable-counting, and stresses in poetry, especially relating to the way the rhythm relates to the meaning of the language
***use of double or multiple meanings, "deep" or surrealistic imagery, "particulars" (named objects)
***use of sonic techniques like alliteration, assonance, and rhyme
***the relationship of abstract language to specific language
***the relationship of speech-like language to more formal (or written-style) writing
***poets' use of language that engages the senses - sight, hearing, kinesthesis (touch), smell
***the use of "objective" elements and more subjective, personal, or interior features in a poem
***the use of mythic elements and literary (or other) allusions

Think of the paper as a chance to i) show your familiarity with these basic concepts of poetics, all discussed in class; and ii) examine your own work. End the paper with a discussion of your goals and reflections on continued work in poetry.

If you don't understand any of the above concepts from class discussions be sure to ask me about them when you meet with me. You should arrange a meeting in class on 11/30, or as soon as possible. You should bring your poems plus the published poems you intend to use with you to the meeting.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

for 11/23

New poem: write a poem inspired by the characteristic style of poetry translated into English.

Reading / response: Wallace Stevens + essay on "Sunday Morning," both on blackboard. Print them out for class, please. Be ready to talk about the language, use of sentences, tone, philosophical content - in class. I will call on the following people to discuss the following poems:

Amanda / Natalie / Daisy - "Sunday Morning"
Patrick / Antonia / Suzy - "13 Ways of Looking at a Blackbird"
Noah / Caleb / Jeannelle - "The Snow Man"
Renee / Daniel: "Anecdote of a Jar"

A Controversy of Poets

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Wednesday, November 18, 2009

for 11/23

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