Friday, February 1, 2013

The Collaborative Poem Project

If anyone would like to recite or read one of their original poems, please do so. We'll take a few minutes at the beginning of class to share our work so far with the class. 

The Collaborative Poem

Watch these video performances. As you watch, please notice the poets' use of imagery, creativity on a selected topic, relevance, and, of course, performance techniques and skills. Jot down your ideas on the sheet provided (to turn in by the end of class today):
1. Get into groups of 2, 3, or 4. No one should work alone for this project.

2. After you have chosen your groups, gather together and decide on a topic or theme for your poem. As most collaborative slam poetry, it might be easiest to agree on a political or social problem that you are all concerned with. 
To gather ideas, each person in the group should suggest a topic, write down the topic, then go around the circle adding other options. After you have gone around a few times (and everyone has at least contributed two ideas) look at the list and agree on a topic.
Go no further than this step. Your group should FIRST agree with the topic. When you have decided, go on to step #3.

3. The rules:
A. All group members must speak. Your tone can shift from one PERSONA to the next.
B. All group members must contribute to the poem in some significant way. You will evaluate each other at the end of this process.
C. Help each other. Suggest revisions, give each other advise about performance, etc.
D. Include gestures and "blocking" for your performance. Mark up and score your "scripts."
You may find it helpful to first come up with a REFRAIN (a response line or choral line): a repeated line that all group members recite together or at different times to cue your group members as to where you are in the poem. Write the draft of the poem together first. Once you have a draft, print out enough copies for each of your members, then gather to practice and block the performance.

This project is not yet due. You should pick your groups, decide on a topic, and begin your writing of the first draft by the end of class. More to follow.

HOMEWORK: Please read the poems in the packet given to you in class. For each poem, identify the TONE. Write the tone down on a slip of paper and hand in for next class.

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