Popular Techniques

What is a literary device/technique that your poet likes to use? What sort of effect does this device have on a reader? Why do you suppose your poet uses this device/technique?

Favorite Line(s)

Use this post to share your favorite line or two from your poet’s poetry. Why do you like this/these line(s)? What is it about the language or effect the language has on a reader that you enjoy or think is great?

Poet Project

Take a moment to share something interesting you have learned through the researching of your poet project – something interesting about your poet, his or her poetry, or anything else.

Important, Universal Topics

Poetry often deals with the powerful emotional experiences in life – experiences that are hard to describe factually or straightforward. A few of these topics are love, hate, and death. Take a moment to respond to one of the following: a) Share any poem that explores one of these “big topics.” How does this poem explore the subject? b) What is another of these “big topics?” What makes it a universal and big topic?

1/8 of Your High School Career

You are officially finished the first half of your freshmen year. Take a moment to reflect on your experience so far. Has high school been what you expected? Why or why not? Explore some positives and negatives of your experience.

Reflection

As this is the last week of the marking period, there are no blogs assigned.

You will be receiving your blog grade this week. If it is low and hurt your marking period average, I invite you to make a commitment now to do better next marking period.

No Blogs!

There are no blogs this week to give you more time to complete your independent work. It is recommended that you also use the time to make up any missed blogs: your blog grade for the marking period will be calculated soon.

Your Poetry

Share a poem of your own (or part) .

Example

Use an example from a poem we’ve read for class, or an outside one, of indirect language. Explain WHY the poet uses indirect language in this example. [Hint: Metaphors and similes are examples of indirect language.]

Poetry's Indirectness

As discussed in class, poetry chooses to describe experience indirectly. The reason for this is simple: Often exploring experience indirectly is more truthful than direct language – we live our lives through emotion, and emotion loses its meaning when approached through direct language.

Defining Poetry

Find and discuss a definition of poetry that we haven’t discussed in class. Feel free to agree or disagree with the definition. Avoid dictionary definitions. Look for definitions by poets or writers.

The Difference of Poetry

In what ways is poetry different than other forms of written art? Explore.

A Poem

What is a poem you like? Who wrote it? What about it do you like?

Have a Great Break!

As promised, there is no mandatory work over the break. Take a moment to make sure you're caught up with your blogs.

Specific Themes

What is a specific theme you find in the play? (Remember, a specific theme is a comment about a general theme, i.e. general theme = money; specific themes = money changes the dynamics in family relationships.)

The End

How did you find the end of the play? Was it a fit ending? Why or why not?

Shakespeare's Language

Share a line or two of Shakespeare’s that you find particularly interesting, neat, complex, funny, or profound. (Please actually type the line(s) in your post.)

Important Reminder!

Your response cannot be the exact some as someone else. There has been quite a bit of that lately. You will not receive full credit for a post that is repetitive.

Diction and Character’s Values

Understanding diction is essential to being a solid reader of literature. Diction teaches us many things. One of these is “character values.” A person’s choice of words directly or indirectly tells us what he or she considers important.

Find an example of diction (a word, phrase, or set of words) that reveals a character’s values. Explain your choice.

Language

Share a line or two of Shakespeare's that you find particularly powerful, profound, funny, or just interesting.