THE POETRY UNIT—
“But all they want to do
is tie the poem to a chair with rope
and torture a confession out of it.
They begin beating it with a hose
to find out what it really means.”
Billy Collins, Introduction to Poetry
(Sub-Unit—Sonnets, Sound and Sense, Poem Comparison—Keep all Poetry Resources in POETRY FOLDER)
General Handouts and Resources
--Perrine’s Sound and Sense
--SPOTTS with Samples from Eyrie
--Rhetorical Pattern Article (Frost, Pound, Haiku (Short Poems) + Sonnets)
--TPPCAST, Rhetorical Triangle, Vendler, Poem Comparison Group Presentation Packet
--Chapter 4 Vendler
--Vendler (Hanlon)
--UNC Explication Article (Valediction Forbidding Mourning)
--Literary Movements Chapter in Princeton Review Guide + Chapter 8, 9 and 10
Sonnet Handouts
--How to Read Lit Chapters
--Sonnet Handouts (2)
--Creative Writing Sonnets Handout from Eyrie
--Sonnet Performance Rubric
--Sonnet Strcutrue Comparison Paper Sample
Analytical Protocols to Learn:
SPOTTS; Rhetorical Structures; Rhetorical Triangle; Explication (UNC); Theme Statements (BrooksBarker); TPCASTT; Vendler 13
SONNET SUB-UNIT
PREPARE:
 Pre-Reading Annotations
Read Shakespeare’s Sonnets, Choose three, compile general notes.
Read If Its Square, It’s a Sonnet from HTRL
Read Sonnet Overview handouts to become familiar with different forms.
 Preparation Notes
SPOTTS on Let Not Marriage and Sonnet 130
SPOTTS on own Shakespearean Sonnet
SPOTTS on one Petrarchan Sonnet
Sonnet Structure T-Chart compiling information regarding Sonnet Structure from multiple sources and your own sonnets, with preliminary
Think Paragraphs on how structure relates to meaning
Venn Diagram comparing structure and meaning of my sample poems (Sonnet 130 and Sonnet 136)
Rhetorical Diagrams for my sample poems--notice similarities? notice differences?
Rhetorical Diagrams for your sample poems--notice similarities and differences?
Venn Diagram comparing your sonnets structure and meaning
--key question for your paper--> how are both poems structured? how do these structural choices contribute to meaning?
 Analytical Essay Prompt—
Choose two sonnets that deal with a similar theme. Compare and contrast how the poets use the sonnet structure to convey the
meaning of the poem. (Organization of ideas into stanzas or lines, use of meter/rhyme scheme, Volta/Shifts, Rhetorical Patterns*)
 In Class Essay Prompt on one of the performance sonnets.
PERFORMANCE
Rehearse
*Punch out words, phrases, sentences)
*Scheeder, Fantasia, Brian exercises—Speech Acts
Perform
Performance Prompt-Deliver a dramatic performance of a Shakespearean sonnet. Your performance should be memorized and should show evidence of
dramatic choices you are making as a performer—including use of voice, space and other performance techniques.*
Creative WRITING
 Own Sonnet
*See attached handout
*Online publishing—get feedback from 3-4
*Enter competition
SOUND and SENSE SUB-UNIT
PREPARE:
 Chapter Work (Ch 1-16)—at least 2 pages, or 1 page typed:
*Sound and Sense Guiding Questions and Reviewing Exercises AND
*Focus Poem Analysis—using any of the ff indicated protocols:
SPOTTS, VENDLER, TPCASST or Sound/Sense Question List on p.655 (Answer 1-9, Choose what applies from 10-15, 16, Choose what fits
from 17-20)
*Any tweaks from Ms.Barrios
Tweaks in place right now:
Ch 14: In addition to Chapter Work, do the suggested writing assignment—additional 2-3 pages)
Ch 15: In place of Chapter Work, do Review Questions and choose 2 Pairs to evaluate
Ch 16: In place of Chapter Work, each group should choose 1 lengthy poem, answer questions, do SPOTTS, TPCASST OR Vender)
ANALYSIS:
 Focus Poem Socratic Seminars
*Prepare for a Focus Poem for all chapters
*Participate in at least 3 Seminars
*Keep track of your participation in a calendar
*Do a writing assignment after each seminar: reflection, feedback or quick explication
Starting Ch. 11 the Seminars Will Be On:
Rich’s Orpheus and the Function of Allusion
Dickinson’s Apparently Without Any Surprise—and the Glories of Syntax
Musicality in Dickinson’s Imperceptibly as Grief; Frost’s Nothing Gold Can Stay
Rhythmic Moves in Ferlenghetti’s Constantly Risking Absurdity
13 Ways of Looking At a Poem: Helen Vendler and Poems, Poets and Poetry
Poetry
I’m Donne With Sound and Meaning: At the round earth’s imagined corners
Donne’s Death Be Not Proud and Pattern
Chapter 16 Poem Presentation (See Poem Comparison Group Presentation Project)
 Poetry MDP Paper Prompt-Develop a dense question based on your Ch. 16 poem AND two other primary texts—
Either:
poems from that same author
poems from our Sound and Sense work (Focus poems we worked on) that deal with a similar theme
or a print/non-print text of your choosing. Due 1 Week after AP Exam.
PERFORMANCE
To Be Determined
POEM COMPARISON SUB-UNIT
PREPARE:
 Preparation Notes
*Vendler/TP CASST on History Teacher (Billy Collins)
*TPCASST and Vendler for History Teacher
*Annotations on Chapter 4 Vendler
*TPCASST and Vendler for your Own Poem
 Small Group Discussion
ANALYSIS:
 Poem Comparison Group Presentation (see Rubric)
*Notes from Group Presentation
*Feedback/Reflection to Group Presentations
 Poetry Comparison AP In Class Essay
Barred Owl and History Teacher
Douglass/London 1802
Acquainted/We grow accustomed