Poetry Recitation

Today - I will have you read your poems and then answer the following questions.  In order to perform your poem you need to know what it is about.  The following questions will help you.  You should post the answers to your blog.

   1. Read the poem silently, then read it aloud (if not in a testing situation). Repeat as necessary.

   2. Consider the poem as a dramatic situation in which a speaker addresses an audience or another character. In this way, begin your analysis by identifying and describing the speaking voice or voices, the conflicts or ideas, and the language used in the poem.

The large issues

    Determine the basic design of the poem by considering the who, what, when, where, and why of the dramatic situation.

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          What is being dramatized? What conflicts or themes does the poem present, address, or question?

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          Who is the speaker? Define and describe the speaker and his/her voice. What does the speaker say? Who is the audience? Are other characters involved?

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          What happens in the poem? Consider the plot or basic design of the action. How are the dramatized conflicts or themes introduced, sustained, resolved, etc.?

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          When does the action occur? What is the date and/or time of day?

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          Where is the speaker? Describe the physical location of the dramatic moment.

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          Why does the speaker feel compelled to speak at this moment? What is his/her motivation?

PRACTICE:

1) Just take turns reading your script (do this three times)

as the reader: a) pay attention to punctuation; b) enunciation - make sure you speak clearly; c) pronunciation - make sure you can pronounce all your words. If you can't, use dictionary.com (it'll pronounce the words for you); d) speak slowly

as the listener: a) stop the speaker if the go too fast; b) tell the speaker where you can't understand what they are saying; c) what the speaker's pronunciation. 

2) After the 3rd time, begin to work on memorization. Try and say at least three lines. Your partner will give you cues. Say as many lines as you can. Go over this at least four times.

3) What is the tone of the poem?