College Writing/British Literature
Name ______________________
Shakespeare Sonnet Jigsaw Project
Due: Wednesday, Nov. 2
Before we begin Hamlet, you will want to have an
understanding of the format and language of
Shakespeare’s sonnets, and be comfortable conducting
close readings of poetry. Working in groups, you will
select and analyze a sonnet in preparation for giving a
jigsaw presentation in class.
v Today: We will continue working in our six groups.
Each group will choose one of Shakespeare’s sonnets
by the start of Wednesday’s class. Once you’ve chosen
a sonnet, divide up the assignment tasks among your
group members so they will know what to do for
homework.
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19 Oct. 2009
v Wednesday, Thursday, Monday and Tuesday: Your group will have part of each of these class
periods to share information, continue working on the assignment tasks, and prepare for
Wednesday’s jigsaw presentation. There will be mini-lessons on paraphrasing, meter, and sound
devices.
v Wednesday: The jigsaw presentation takes place! Each student from your group will move to a
new group (of four students total) in order to give his/her sonnet presentation and learn from the
presentations of the other group members. Thus, each new group will be composed of students
presenting on four different sonnets.
Requirements:
1. At the end of class Wednesday, your group must hand in the original sonnet (with syllables,
scansion, rhyme scheme and volta labeled), a thorough paraphrase of the sonnet, and
thoughtful answers to the following questions: What is the meaning of the sonnet? What are
the key words, phrases, or lines? What is important about the technique and style of the
sonnet? This is a group grade. You only need to hand in one copy on Wednesday; all
members’ names should be on it.
2. During your presentation you will:
− read the sonnet aloud
− explain what the sonnet means
− give a paraphrased version (of key lines only)
− offer an analysis of the technique and style.
Presenters should speak for about 6 minutes and then answer questions for 2 additional
minutes. Listeners must take notes during the presentations. All participants should be
prepared to ask and answer questions. This is an individual grade.
Notes:
• Because our emphasis is on close reading, no outside research is permitted, other than looking
up unfamiliar vocabulary.
• Remember that close reading will take into account all of the poetic techniques and devices we
have been discussing, as well as an analysis of the structure of the sonnet.
• Group assignments and grading guidelines are on the back of this page.
• I suggest dividing up the work among the group members!
College Writing/British Literature
Name ______________________
Groups:
RED
Sonnet # ______
ORANGE
Sonnet # ______
YELLOW
Sonnet # ______
GREEN
Sonnet #_______
BLUE
Sonnet #______
PURPLE
Sonnet #_____
Grading Guidelines:
I. Written Requirements: 50 % (group grade)
−
Clear paraphrased version of sonnet: R.L.4
−
Explanation of the meaning of sonnet: R.L.4
20%
−
Identification/explanation of key words, phrases, lines: L.5
20%
−
Observations on poetic techniques and style (incl. scansion and rhyme scheme labeling) L.5
−
Overall professionalism (typed, correctly formatted proofread): L.1-2
10%
II. Presentation Requirements: 50 % (individual grade):
−
Presenter reads the sonnet aloud, explains its meaning, identifies key words/phrases/lines,
and offers observations on technique and style: S.L.1
−
Each participant takes notes, asks and answers relevant questions: S.L.1
Useful website (with full-text of all 154 sonnets):
http://www.folgerdigitaltexts.org/?chapter=5&play=Son&loc=Son-001
50%