I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Writing Assignment #2
1 page min. – SELECT ONE
Organization: ALL of the papers need to have distinct paragraphs regardless of the genre
selected.
To Be Completed After Chapter 23
You MUST select a genre DIFFERENT than the one you selected for the first writing
assignment.
Mock Book Cover
Maya Angelou’s book I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is an autobiography; she is writing her
own life story. Now that we are almost through the book, choose one character from I Know
Why the Caged Bird Sings (other than Maya) and create a mock book cover for his or her
autobiography. Incorporate all the items listed below. It should be CREATIVE and ATTRACTIVE.
You may use the computer and/or draw it. You are creating a mock cover for a book that really
doesn’t exist. The details should be consistent w/ the facts from I Know Why the Caged Bird
Sings. Include:

2-3 pictures or symbols that represent or connect to the chosen character

A title for the character’s autobiography

A quote that this character might have written in his or her book (you have creative
freedom with this)
Create a paragraph that gives an overview of the book and peaks readers’ interest so they
will want to read the book
Create a kudo (a quote from a reader / reviewer that recommends the book). The
“reviewer” could be another character, you, another student, a make believe person, a
famous writer, etc.


Graduation Speech
Imagine Maya was the Valedictorian of her high school class and giving the graduation speech.
What words of wisdom and inspiration would she give to her classmates? It should be written in
FIRST person.
Poem
Write a poem about someone who was a "life line" to Maya. Capture their strengths and
personality. Include specific things they did for Maya. You may use the Bio Poem format or
another format. Pay special attention to word choice and try to incorporate some literary
techniques like similes, metaphors, alliteration, and personification.
Joe Louis (mini-report)
Maya explains the impact that Joe Louis's success had on her community. Research and report
on his boxing career and include challenges he faced. Be sure to list your source(s) in a work(s)
cited sheet.