Posts for 2/17

You have two poetry-related posts for this week.  You should spend about 15 focused minutes on the actual writing of each (as always).  If you spend time preparing to write these posts (for instance, annotating song lyrics), you can count it toward your 120 minutes.  Also, remember you need a book to read.  If you've been reading something random from my shelf in class, you are going to need a book to get to 120 minutes.  Go to the library or do what you need to do.

Post 1: Analyze a Song
For your first post, analyze a song of your choice.  Your analysis should identify the major techniques being used, how those techniques are used, and what effects they have in the song.  How do these techniques contribute to your overall interpretation of the song?  Your post should be at least two developed paragraphs in length but may be longer. Make sure to include the song's title, author/artist, and a link to the lyrics.  You may also want to type out any particularly relevant sections (this doesn't count toward the length).

You may choose any song you'd like if it is school-appropriate and the lyrics are available online.  Make sure you choose a song that has poetic devices in it for you to analyze.  End rhyme and a repeated chorus do not count - find a song with other techniques.  Your analysis should identify the techniques being used, how they are used, and what effect they create--you are making claims about the song and supporting them.  Consider aspects of the song such as tone, theme, diction, speaker, and purpose.  As always, your analysis must be your own, but you may look up any allusions that you need to.

If you are having trouble finding a song, here are a few suggestions:

"I Must Belong Somewhere" by Bright Eyes - Lyrics, Song
"You Can Call Me Al" by Paul Simon - Lyrics, Video
"Dark Turn of Mind" by Gillian Welch - Lyrics and Video (scroll down)
"Love" by Mos Def - Lyrics, Song
"Float" by Aesop Rock - Lyrics and song (scroll down)
"Umbrella" by Rihanna feat. Jay-Z - Lyrics 

Post 2: Write a Poem

Write a poem!  In no less than 15 lines, use a minimum of 3 of the techniques we've been discussing, and identify the techniques at the end.

Your poem can be about anything, but if you need ideas:
- describe an object or place that means something to you with dense imagery
- narrate a memory from childhood (you can use the free-writing we did in class)
- use figurative language to describe an emotion
- a letter to someone or something
- a list

Post your reading details - be specific.