Comp. Lit.

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Name ___________________________________________ Poet, Breathe Now: An Introduction to Slam Poetry

4.2 Use precise words, phrases, and domain specific vocabulary purposefully; vary syntax for effect. 5.1 Students will complete all required formative assessments with a proficient attempt at independent analysis.

Simply put, slam poetry is the competitive art of performance poetry. It puts a dual emphasis on writing and performance, encouraging poets to focus on what they're saying and how they're saying it. For many students, this is the easiest form of poetry to address because it bridges the gap between creative nonfiction and more traditional literature. It is personal, employs narrative techniques, and it is meant to bleed from experience. In short, it is poetry that doesnt want to just sit on paper. In the following two tasks, you will stretch your poetic muscles by incorporating poetic elements into everyday language. Common Poetic Elements: metaphor: compares two unlike things to develop an specific image She is a night owl. simile: a metaphor that uses like or as My love is like a red, red rose. imagery: specific language to appeal to our sensory experiences full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn. Revise the following statements to develop poetic elements. Make an attempt to develop imagery, a metaphor, or a simile for each statement. Statement The room was hot. Poetic Revision

Irene looked sad.

The movie made him happy.

Her legs were sore after practice.

I have too much homework.

PART II: If you could tell one story about your experiences today, what would it be? Think about everything that happened to you from the moment you awoke to the moment you sat down to complete this assignment. Isolate one moment, one experience, one thought or feeling in your day and zoom in on it. Imagine you are about to explain this moment to a friend. Describe that moment in as much detail as possible below. Make an attempt to incorporate poetic elements (such as imagery, metaphor, simile, etc.) into your writing.

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1.2 Identify multiple themes or central ideas and analyze their purpose in text. 5.1 Students will complete all required formative assessments with a proficient attempt at independent analysis.

Name ___________________________________________ Louder Than A Bomb

Louder Than A Bomb is a documentary that follows high school students in Chicago as they plan for and perform in a competitive poetry slam. With about 500 youth participants from about 50 schools, Louder Than a Bomb is the largest youth poetry slam in the world. As you watch the film, compare and contrast the four main stories. Answer the questions along the way and for homework. Be prepared to submit the answers at any point during the film. Describe these characters poetic style. Nate

Nova

Adam

Steinmetz

Each day, write down one line from the performances you like and explain why it speaks to you. Day 1

Day 2

Day 3