Group Project
ENG 1002
The purpose of this assignment is to study an author’s life, to show an understanding of poetic
terms and to be able to explain a poem (theme/meaning).
Your presentation should reflect:
∙ Careful study
∙ Complete preparation
∙ Limited criticism
∙ Effective speech qualities
All group members should demonstrate knowledge of the work and the author’s biography. All
should read a criticism obtained through library research methods. The poem should be read
several times with attention to detail. Unfamiliar words should be defined. Reflect on the poem
and develop your understanding of its message/meaning.
Plan a 5-minute presentation with a definite introduction, body and conclusion. Use the
PowerPoint shell as a foundation for your presentation or plan an alternative format (video,
website, poster, etc). You may use inconspicuous notes for the presentation. Do not read from
notes or PowerPoint.
Avoid 1) Vague beginnings and conclusions, 2) Distracting expressions (uh, you know) and
gestures, and 3) Uncertainty about your own ideas.
Responsibilities:
1. Introduction – introduce group members, poem and author. Use an attention getter. Possibly give
information on why this poem was selected.
2. Biography and criticism (if PowerPoint, at least one slide)
a. Facts about the author’s life, outlook, attitudes, body of works, critical acclaim
(concentrate on relevant material). What should the reader know about this author?
3. Limited explication (optional) and discussion of theme (required): What is the poem about? What
is its theme or meaning? Elaborate and explain fully. Do not just state a theme. (at least one slide)
4. Analysis of the poem (breaking the poem down into its pieces) (at least three terms must be
discussed – each on a separate slide if using PowerPoint. These terms are from the chapters in
your textbook)
Analysis of person and tone (page 492)
a. Is the speaker a created persona or do aspects seem autobiographical? How is the speaker
revealed?
b. How would you describe the speaker?
c. What is the tone? Which words reveal the tone?
d. Is the poem ironic? How does the irony provoke thought?
e. What is the situation of the poem? Is it credible? Is it important in understanding the
poem’s meaning? If so, why?
Analysis of poetic language, symbolism (page 511)
f. What heavily connotative words are used? What words have unusual or special
meanings? Are any words or phrases repeated? Which words do you need to look up?
g. What images does the poet use? How do the images relate to one another?
What items stand for ideas or meaning of a different kind? (Remember, a specific
businessman is not symbolic of businessmen in general, merely representative.) How
does the symbolism contribute to the meaning?
i. Does the author use personification, simile, metaphor, paradox, oxymoron? Do they
contribute to the tone or meaning of the poem?
Analysis of poetic form (page 529)
j. What poetic techniques are used?
k. What structure is used?
l. Is there a rhyme scheme apparent?
5. Illustrations. Search for images of author or that might illustrate idea in the poem. Give credit to
sources for images. Include the source information in small text under or beside the image
6. Sources. Give credit to sources in MLA format on a slide of the presentation. Provide verbal
citations during the presentation. (at least one slide)
7. Conclusion
a. Commentary about the work chosen for class discussion and how the work is
representative of author’s style
b. Author’s interest in the ideas and theme of the work
h.
Assignment is worth 5 percent of final grade. The assignment will be evaluated based on presentation,
content and group member evaluations.
Due date: Presentations given in class on:
Wednesday, May 4
Poetry group presentations.
Friday, May 13
Final exam period for 11 a.m. class. Finish presentations
and class reflection
Some poems picked by previous classes:
My Papa’s Waltz
The Unknown Citizen
We Real Cool
Harlem (A Dream Deferred)
Theme for English B
Mother to Son
To His Coy Mistress
I’m Nobody! Who are You?
To An Athlete Dying Young
We Wear the Mask
Mending Wall
Incident
Auto Wreck
Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night
Barbie Doll