English 4 / Zappa
Spring ‘12 / Chabot College
Oral Presentation: Explication of Poetry
In this assignment, you will explicate the poem of your choice; you may choose any unassigned
(meaning, not on our yellow sheet, nor from initial handout) poem from our text. If you choose
from outside our text, you must first show it to me as well as supply copies of your poem for the
class (25 copies), complete with title, author, and, if available, copyright info. The presentation
should take from 4 to 6 minutes, is worth 25 points, and must include the following:
1. Tell us the title and author of your poem as well as what page we will find it on in our text.
2. Read the poem out loud as we follow along.
3. Interpret the meaning of the poem and, depending on its length, give us a paraphrase, either
line-by-line or by stanza if it is particularly long. Evaluate the poem; tell us why you chose it.
4. Identify the theme(s) of the poem (the what), beyond the literal
5. Identify and explain the significance (or effects) of the techniques (poetic devices) used by
the poet (the how).
6. Turn in an outline of your presentation (typed) afterwards (see any handbook for format).
ALL PRESENTATIONS ARE DUE TUESDAY, JAN. 31
Grading criteria follow:
Reading aloud: 3 points
Discussion of theme/ evaluation: 6 points
Interpretation/ paraphrase: 6 points
Discussion of devices/techniques: 6 points
Outline: 4 points
English 4 / Zappa
Spring ‘12 / Chabot College
Oral Presentation: Explication of Poetry
In this assignment, you will explicate the poem of your choice; you may choose any unassigned
(meaning, not on our yellow sheet, nor from initial handout) poem from our text. If you choose
from outside our text, you must first show it to me as well as supply copies of your poem for the
class (25 copies), complete with title, author, and, if available, copyright info. The presentation
should take from 4 to 6 minutes, is worth 25 points, and must include the following:
1. Tell us the title and author of your poem as well as what page we will find it on in our text.
2. Read the poem out loud as we follow along.
3. Interpret the meaning of the poem and, depending on its length, give us a paraphrase, either
line-by-line or by stanza if it is particularly long. Evaluate the poem; tell us why you chose it.
4. Identify the theme(s) of the poem (the what), beyond the literal
5. Identify and explain the significance (or effects) of the techniques (poetic devices) used by
the poet (the how).
6. Turn in an outline of your presentation (typed) afterwards (see any handbook for format).
ALL PRESENTATIONS ARE DUE TUESDAY, JAN. 31
Grading criteria follow:
Reading aloud: 3 points
Discussion of theme/ evaluation: 6 points
Interpretation/ paraphrase: 6 points
Discussion of devices/techniques: 6 points
Outline: 4 points