Langston Hughes Poetry Assignment
Our class on Friday centers on celebrating Langston Hughes and his works. The aim of this
assignment is to expose you to some of his poetry and have you focus your attention on one
poem of your choosing. The assignment is due Friday, 6/5.
1. Read all the Langston Hughes poems in the packet at least once: “I, Too,” “Freedom’s
Plow,” and “Let America Be America Again.” I encourage you to read them aloud, too.
2. Choose one poem to focus on. Read it a second and a third time, familiarizing yourself
with its language and the cadence.
3. Decide how you want to work with it. Options:
- Write a one – two page typed personal reflection on the poem that
includes your interpretation of it, questions you have about sections
of it, how your reading of it changed in the course of this process.
Possible things to consider: the poet's tone (attitude towards the
subject), diction (word choice), rhythm, theme.
-
Prepare a dramatic reading or performance of the poem—or a section
of the poem--that demonstrates your interpretation of it. You may do
this one with one or two other people. The performance should be
polished and show that you've spent time developing it. {Note: If you
choose this option, you may present on Monday.}
-
Paint or draw the poem or a scene from the poem that includes words
or lines from the poem.
-
Create a presentation that combines the poem's words with images
and/or music.
- Memorize it or a section of it (10 lines minimum). Be prepared to
recite it in front of a small group or the class as a whole.