Ode on a Grecian Urn: Life Poem
John Keats’ poem “Ode on a Grecian Urn” describes Grecian life through rich imagery and figurative
language. The speaker of the poem asks questions to introduce each new scene on the urn and to
interrogate the limitations of art. This work, and the way we analyzed it in class, has set up a model for
how we will write and interact with different forms of texts this semester by emphasizing that critical
questions are often more important than answers.
Assignment: Create your own version of a Grecian Urn Drawing/Poem consisting of both a list of “life
questions” (modeled after the poem) and some graphic representation of an episodic memory, or
“snapshot moment”
Rationale: This assignment will allow for you to connect the poem “Ode on a Grecian Urn” to your own
life as you consider a “snapshot moment” that you have experienced. You will critically consider the
limitation of art (in this case, your imagined snapshot), how time affects our experiences, and the
importance of asking questions. The multi-modal nature of this assignment will allow you to engage in a
variety of modes of expression (descriptive writing, questions/poetry, and
art/graphics/symbols/pictures).
Process:
1. Descriptive Paragraph: Consider a time in your life when you were so happy or content that you
wished you could push “pause” in order to further enjoy the moment. What was happening? Why
did you wish time would stop? Describe this moment like it is a snapshot in a minimum of 4-5
sentences, focusing on using imagery and figurative language. SHOW and do not tell your audience
(parents, peers, other readers of poetry, myself) what was happening through your description and
use of concrete details.
2. Reflection: Reflect on how you have changed since this moment has passed. Are you glad you have
moved on from this moment? How are you/is your life different now? Do you wish you could
return to this moment and do something differently? You need not write out your answers to
these questions, but rather consider them before moving onto step three.
3. Question Poem: Create a question poem that engages your answers to the prompts in step two.
The questions that you generate can question the limitations of art or the intersections of truth and
beauty (as does Keats’ poem), or it can address your past or future self. For example, if I was writing
about my childhood, I could ask questions such as “Why do summer nights seem so endless? What
if I had known that one day, they would pass in the blink of an eye? Etc.”
Please include AT LEAST FOUR QUESTIONS AND A CREATIVE TITLE. Please write your question
poem out on the Grecian Urn handout.
4. Art/Graphic Representation: Use the remainder of the space on your Grecian Urn handout to
represent your thoughts or your snapshot scene in some other artistic format. This can be done
using photographs, magazine clippings, drawings, symbols, graphs, charts, etc.—as long as there is
some sort of artistic element included. Be prepared to explain your rationale for your form of
artistic expression.
5. Artist Statement: In two to three paragraphs, explain the connection between your journal, poem,
and artistic/graphic representation. Be sure to explain how the events, images, or emotions you
experienced during your memory contributed to how you remembered it.
Checklist of Items to Turn In:
___ Descriptive Paragraph of snapshot moment (4-5 sentence minimum)
___ Grecian Urn handout including:
___ Question poem (at least four questions and an original title)
___ Artistic or graphic representation
___ Artist statement
___ Any drafts of this assignment
Category
Due Date
4
3
2
1
The assignment was
turned in on or
before the due date.
The assignment was
turned in one day
past the due date.
The assignment was
turned in two days
later than the due
date.
The assignment was
turned in more than
two days later than
the due date.
Required Elements
The final product
includes a
descriptive
paragraph (4-5
sentences), a
question poem (4
questions), some
form of graphics, and
an artist statement
(2-3 paragraphs)
All elements of the
product are present
but do not meet the
length requirements.
All but one of the
required elements
are missing from the
final product.
Several required
elements were
missing.
Descriptive
Paragraph
The descriptive
paragraph SHOWED
and did not tell the
audience what was
happening and
utilized imagery and
figurative language.
Grammar and
mechanics were
clear (with 1-2 minor
mistakes).
The paragraph
utilized some
imagery and
descriptive
language, but did not
effectively SHOW
rather than tell the
audience. Minor
grammar and
mechanics mistakes
may have made the
writing less clear.
Descriptive language
and imagery were
not utilized; the
description merely
tells a story. Poor
grammar and
mechanics distract
the reader from the
description.
No attempt to tell a
story or paint a
picture was made.
Question Poem
The four or more
questions are
thought provoking,
interesting, and
show a clear
connection to the
descriptive
paragraph/reflection.
A creative title is
included
The questions are
interesting, but may
not show a clear
connection to the
descriptive
paragraph/reflection.
A creative title is
included.
The questions were
written as
statements or
showed little
connection to the
descriptive
paragraph/reflection.
The title is missing or
mirrors the
assignment title.
The questions were
written as
statements and/or
showed no
connection to the
descriptive
paragraph/reflection.
The poem lacks a
title.
Artwork/Graphics
The graphics and art
work used reflect an
exceptional degree
of student creativity
in their creation; the
artwork clearly
connects to the
poem.
Some of the
graphics and artwork
used reflect student
creativity in their
creation, although
connection to the
poem may be
unclear
The graphics and
artwork show no
relation to the
Question Poem or
the descriptive
paragraph.
No graphics or
artwork made by the
student were
included.
Artist Statement
The artist statement
clearly connects the
journal entry, poem,
and graphics.
The artist statement
attempts to connect
these elements, but
does not do so
explicitly
The artist statement
is present, but does
not connect any of
the required
elements.
Grammatical and
mechanical errors
make the writing
confusing or unclear.
The artist statement
is not included or
contains several
grammatical and
mechanical errors.