DUE DECEMBER 20 via EMAIL
Skill Overview: Explain the function of structure in a text. Identify and explain the function of a simile and a metaphor.
Note that the poem has four stanzas divided by the phrase "I love you." Read and paraphrase each of the stanzas. (You will turn these notes with final write-up.)
Identify at least one simile and metaphor in the poem. In your notes, identify how the two objects in each simile and metaphor are compared and then explain how particular associations convey meaning.
Explore and write on how each stanza conveys meaning on its own but also relates to the stanza that comes before it and after. How do the similes and metaphors contribute to these meanings? Use textual evidence.
Skill Overview: Explain the function of contrasts within a text. Explain the function of specific words and phrases in a text.
In the text, mark it up for contrasts, such as shifts and juxtapositions. Mark the words, punctuation, and/or structures that signal the contrast. In your notes, explain what exactly is contrasted and how these contrasts convey meaning. (These notes will be turned in with final writing product.)
Write your own interpretation or "translation" of the poem into your own words. Highlight in your writing particular words and phrases, explaining your choices in terms of how you understood the speaker's meaning and reasoning for your word choice, or translation. Tip: Explain how there might be multiple interpretations of that word or phrase and why you chose the interpretation that you did. Write a concluding paragraph after your interpretation as to how ambiguity in the poem could invite different interpretations.
Skill Overview: Explain the function of specific words and phrases in a text. Identify and explain the function of an image or imagery. Explain the function of structure in a text.
In a double-entry journal format, with the entirety of the poem on the left-hand, make notes about why you think the word "rainbow" is repeated and what ideas or associations are emphasized through this repetition. (These notes will be turned in with final written product.)
Highlight in the poem what you consider to be four or five of the most important images in the poem. Identify an abstract noun (thematic idea or theme) that each highlighted image conveys. Tip: Examine how punctuation in the poem helps indicate individual images, and how individual images extend beyond individual lines and work together to contribute to meaning.
In an essay, explain how the individual images and repetition of the word "rainbow" work together to convey meaning in the poem and explain the relationships among the themes (the abstract nouns) you identified. Tip: How does the unexpected repetition of "rainbow" in this open-form poem create emphasis and how does those emphasis convey meaning and contribute to to an interpretation of the poem?
Skill Overview: Develop a paragraph that includes 1) a claim that requires defense with evidence from the text and 2) the evidence itself. Identify and explain the function of metaphor.
Read the following claim about the poem (after your first read through): "The speaker believes himself to be more powerful and important than the sun." Write an initial quick write paragraph response and identify textual evidence this claim would require and explain how the evidence supports the claim.
Now go back through the poem and mark individual metaphors throughout the poem. For each metaphor, in notes explain how the compared traits convey a particular perspective and contribute to figurative meaning. Identify 1-2 metaphors that relate to the claim in the previous bullet.
Revise your initial response into a full essay, using what you also identified in the metaphor exercise and how these metaphors work together to convey a particular perspective and contribute to an interpretation of the poem. (You will turn in initial quick write with your final draft.)
Skill Overview: Explain the function of structure in a text.
Examine the structure of the poem using a jigsaw strategy by examining the poem for each of the following and summarize with textual evidence how each of these structures emphasizes certain ideas and concepts within the poem: 1) the closed-form characteristics of the poem; 2) shifts and contrasts in the poem; 3) ideas in the octave; and 4) ideas in the sestet.
In addition to the summary of each, include a paragraph about how these elements contribute to the poem's overall structure and how this larger structure emphasizes certain ideas and concepts.