Elegy Project
College English 12 Honors: Due Wednesday, November 23
In our study of Anglo-Saxon poetry, we examined the prevalence of elegiac poetry over 1000 years ago. For this
project, you will find a contemporary poem or song that can be considered a modern elegy. Next, you will create
a slide show in PowerPoint that compares your modern selection with one of the three poems we’ve discussed in
class (“The Wife’s Lament,” “The Wanderer,” “The Seafarer”)
In order to complete your project, you will:

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find a contemporary song that can be considered a modern elegy. In other words, the song somehow mourns the loss of
a loved one or the loss of the past;
create a slide show in PowerPoint that compares your modern song with one we’ve discussed in class;
present your slide show to your class.
Slide Show Requirements:
1. 1 title slide with your name, the names of the two works that you are comparing, and an appropriate graphic
2. 1 slide containing the text of the modern song that you selected
3. 1 slide comparing the mood in each piece
a. Mood = the climate of feeling in a literary work. The choice of setting, objects, details, images, and
words all contribute towards creating a specific mood.
b. Include a specific line (or lines) in each work that illustrates the mood of the piece
c. Explain how these lines convey a particular mood or emotion
4. 1 slide in which you examine themes present in “The Wife’s Lament” and in the song you selected
5. 1 slide discussing what makes each piece an elegy
Additional PowerPoint Technology requirements:
 Use the Master Slide to add the same Custom Animation (*Note: Custom Animation is NOT the same thing as a
Slide Transition!) effect to every slide.
As always, use complete sentences in your responses and be sure to check your answers and grammar before
turning in your work.
Your project is due on Wednesday, Nov. 23 and is worth 50 points.
Modern Song
Selection
Song contains the characteristics of an
elegy
4-5
Song somewhat contains the
characteristics of an elegy
2-3
Song does not contain the
characteristics of an elegy
1
Content
Slides contain appropriate comparisons
between the song and poem with
specific, detailed references to each
work; demonstrates the writer’s
understanding of each work and
literary devices
18-20
Most slides contain appropriate
comparisons between the song and
poem with some references to each
work; somewhat demonstrates the
writer’s understanding of each work and
literary devices
10-17
Few slides contain appropriate
comparisons between works; rarely
demonstrates the writer’s
understanding of each work and literary
devices
Control of sentence structure,
grammar, usage, and mechanics
Contains few errors in grammar,
spelling, and sentence structure; errors
do not interfere with reader
5-8
Errors seriously interfere with reader;
little control of sentence structure,
grammar, and spelling
1-4
Grammar and
Mechanics
9-10
1-9
Use of
Technology
Slide show is creative with consistent
formatting & animation; slides are clear
and easy to read
9-10
Slides show some creativity with
consistent formatting & animation;
slides are readable
5-8
Slides show little creativity or lack
consistency; formatting is a distraction
rather than an enhancement
1-4
Presentation
Presentation is practiced and
professional
4-5
Presentation shows some rehearsal
Presentation is unrehearsed and
unprofessional
1
2-3