Poetry Research Project

English 9
First, pick one of the following poets to research. (No doubles!- First Come, first pick!)
Robert Frost
Langston Hughes
Edna St. V. Millay
Jack Kerouac
Stephan Crane
Gwendolyn Brooks
Billy Collins
Gary Soto

E E Cummings
Ezra Pound
Maya Aneglou
Allen Ginsberg
Matt Mason
(Nebraska)
Carl Sandburg
Robert Frost
Teachers Choice

Shel Silverstein
Sylvia Plath
T.S. Eliot
Walt Whitman
Ted Kooser
William C. Williams
Emily Dickinson
Teachers Choice

Second, begin your research project. The links below should be used to find out
biographical information about the poets. You may conduct additional searches to find
information, if needed. Some poets may be available to contact for additional
information.
Poetry Foundationwww.poetryfoundation.org

Poem Hunter- www.poemhunter.com

Academy of American Poetswww.poets.org

Virtual Middle School Library (Website of links to various biography websites)www.sldirectory.com/studf/bio.html

Destiny Quest-- http://destiny.almacardinals.org/quest/servlet/presentquestform.do?site=100&alreadyValidated=true

Encyclopedia Britannicawww.britannica.com

Follow the guidelines and be prepared to present your findings to the class on your
designated day.
Here are the parts of the assignment:
1. You are to research the poets life and works. Write a three (3) page essay highlighting the poets life. You
are to document your sources in a Works Cited Page Here are a list of sample topics and events to research:
*Birth death dates
*Number of poems written
*Important life events
*Major accomplishments, awards, or publications
*Life events that are portrayed or influenced their poetry

2. Select ONE poem and write an explanation and analysis of the poem (this page is in addition to the three
pages of research)
*What do you feel is it about?
*What do you see as a major theme?
*Are there any important symbols? If so, explain. (Do these relate to
any of the poets life events?)
3. Documentation of your sources (MLA formatsame as used last year)
*RESEARCH the poet AND the poem
*CITE information you used to help you analyze and explain the poem
*Create a Works Cited Page (this page does not count in your three page minimum)
****If you look up the poem and poet on the internet and use someone elses explanation and do not cite them,
you will receive a zero on this project.****
4. TEACH your poet to the class and present your poem to the class with your thoughts.
-Create a PowerPoint or Prezi to show important aspects of your information
-Make sure the poem is on the presentation
-You should only use your PowerPoint or Prezi as a guide. If you read directly off your
presentation, points will be deducted. You should know the information you are about to
present.
**Each presentation should be a minimum of 5 minutes and a maximum of 10 minutes. Be sure to practice
your presentations to ensure it is within the correct amount of time.**