1. Poetry Explication–Choose one of the three poems (i.e. If We Must Die, On Turning 10, Reflections) and explicate it!  Post your explication on the class forum! Here’s a sample poetry explication!

The first paragraph

The first paragraph should present the large issues; it should inform the reader which conflicts are dramatized and should describe the dramatic situation of the speaker. The explication does not require a formal introductory paragraph; the writer should simply start explicating immediately. A sample opening sentence may be “In If We Must Die Claude McKay (thematic sentence).”

The next paragraphs

The next paragraphs should expand the discussion of the conflict by focusing on details of form, rhetoric, syntax, vocabulary, sound, and figurative language. In these paragraphs, the writer should explain the poem line by line (stanza by stanza) in terms of these details, and he or she should incorporate important elements of rhyme, rhythm, and meter during this discussion. Alternatively, you can explain the poem detail by detail.

2. Poetry Artifact–Bring in a childhood artifact that may serve as the inspiration for your next poem (in the spirit of On Turning Ten/Reflections).