SHEL SILVERSTEIN
POETRY
We will be reading some of Shel Silverstein’s poetry over the next couple of weeks.
Additionally, we will be writing poetry ala Shel in the upcoming weeks. Students will create three
drafts, workshop the poems, and edit and revise one of them into a final version complete with a
visual.
Topic #1 should be the short draft. It should be a minimum of a stanza—at least a quatrain
(four lines). Topic #2 should be the medium draft and on a different topic. It should be a minimum
of 2-3 stanzas—each stanza should be at least a quatrain (four lines). Topic #3 should be the
medium draft and on a different topic. It should be a minimum of 4-5 stanzas—each stanza should
be at least a quatrain (four lines).
Students will workshop the poems in a small group. Each student will present his/her three
different poems and receive feedback from the group. Using the group’s advice, and the author’s
intuition, students will choose one of the three topics to finalize. In addition to editing, revising, and
reworking the poem, students should add an image that complements and enhances the poem.
The biggest problem that students will have is editing and revising their poem. A finalized
poem should be different from the draft. Poetry is about verbal and visual presentation. The lines
should not run across the page, but, rather, be divided into lines for visual and verbal reasons. An
unrevised poem will have its score reduced.
The finalized poem (and the draft from which it originated) and the visual are due at the
beginning of class on Tuesday, February 26.
Shel Poetry Rubric Theme Rhythm & Structure Words & Phrasing aesthetics 6 5 4 A precise and identifiable theme A purposeful and identifiable theme A clear and identifiable theme precise and relevant rhythm and structure to create a vivid poem acceptable rhythm and structure precise words and phrasing to create a vivid poem purposeful rhythm and structure to create an enhanced poem purposeful words and phrases to create an enhanced poem Precise image that creates a vivid poem purposeful image that enhances the poem acceptable image acceptable words and phrases 3 An identifiable theme with some distractions A few breakdowns in rhythm and structure that distract from the poem’s effectiveness Only a few instances of good words and phrases or uses that distract the reader Lack of purpose in image that does not add to the poem 2 Lacks a theme Lacks a rhythm or structure few or vague uses of good words and phrases “sketch”