Poetic Douglass Compilation Assignment

Poetic Douglass Compilation Assignment

Poetic Douglass: Rounds 1-4:

Read Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Chapters 1-5.  After reading Douglass’ text, I want you to write a 100 word (minimum) poem expressing your interpretation of Douglass' narrative up to this point.  Focus on the details of the narrative that are significant to Douglass' purpose for writing, as well as details that help develop the progression of events in the text.

You will also be responsible for one 50 word response to a classmate's poem.  I would like your responses to focus on elements of the narrative that differ from your own interpretation.

Subsequent assignments:

-Read Frederick Douglass Chapters 6-9/ Write a 100 word (min) poem and a 50 word response.

-Read Frederick Douglass Chapters 10/ Write a 100 word (min) poem and a 50 word response.

-Read Frederick Douglass Chapters 11 & appendix/ Write a 100 word (min) poem and a 50 word response.

Poetic Douglass Workshop:

-Print out and bring to class all 4 Poetic Douglass poems

-Peer Review/Workshop your poems for the purpose of combining them into one 350-400 word epic poem of your reading of Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.

Final Poem:

-Write final compilation version of your Poetic Douglass interpretation.  Your poem must be at least 350-400 words, and must be edited together into one long “epic” poem.

If you are struggling to generate a poem on your own try this approach:

Creating a Found Poem

-Creating a “found poem” from Frederick Douglass’ narrative can be a way to pay respectful attention to and honor his experiences, as well as other Americans who suffered under slavery.

-A found poem is one that is created using only words that have been copied and rearranged from another text.

-Once you have read Chapters 1-5 of The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, use the following steps to create your poem:

1. While reading chapters 1-5, copy down at least 35 to 40 words or phrases from it that you find memorable or powerful.  Remember you need a 100 word poem.

2. Arrange the words and phrases you have selected into a poem. You might want to copy the words and phrases onto notecards or separate sheets of paper so that you can easily rearrange them. Try to arrange the words in a way that captures what you think is the essence of the reading, as well as your experience of reading it. Here are a few more guidelines for creating your poem:

• You DON’T have to use all of the words and phrases you chose.
• You CAN repeat words or phrases, but not too much.
• You CAN add other words besides those you copied from the Ch 1-5.
• Your poem DOESN’T have to rhyme.

3. When you are satisfied with your poem, give it a title.  Make that title unique to the content of your poem.

4. Avoid a generally themed “slavery is bad/ Frederick Douglass is good” poem.  Focus on the details from the chapters to build your poem.