The next step is to create a thematic poetry presentation.  You will present the poems that you find to the class in some way at the end of this task (see the calander on the home page).  Follow the following steps to help you complete this task. 

1.  You should have already seen my poetry demonstration.  Obviously, my theme for combining these poems was "waitresses".  Your poems could revolve around any theme you may dream up, as long as it is appropriate.  Pick your theme; ideas for themes might include:

• baseball

• jobs (teachers, waitresses, etc.)

• food

• break-ups

• cars

• trees

• nature

• spring (or any season)

• childhood

• royalty

• pop culture

• music

• art

• politics

• cowboys

• religion

• racism

• change

    Keep in mind that this is NOT an all inclusive list; use it as a starting place.  Be creative. Your theme, however, cannot be vague and broad.  You must narrow your topic to be more specific.  See me for help if you need it.  Once you have picked a theme make sure that you let me know what it is. 

2.  Find poems that have to do with the theme you have chosen.  You should find 3-4 poems that deal with your chosen theme.  Below is a number of websites on which you might be able to search to find your poems.  Also, be aware that the library has many poems.  Look through books to find a poem that might deal with your theme.  The librarian can help direct you to books that may help if you need it.  One of these poems MUST be from a book, the other poems can be found either from a book or on the Internet. 

3.  Once you have found your poems you need to put them together in some sort of presentation you will give to the class.  Presentation requirements:

• Your presentation will need to be between 3-5 minutes long.  Thus, you may not have time to read every poem you've found.  Consider picking just a section of a poem to read or leaving some poems out entirely.  Pick as many poems as you need to fill up 3-5 minutes.  These poems can be intermixed or read seperately, but you should have significant sections of each poem you've chosen.  You should prepare a typed document of your "cut" poetry.  This means that you should retype the sections of the poems you have chosen in the order you plan to read them to the class. 
• You should read your poems, don't just tell the class about them. 
• Memorize at least 20 lines from your poems.
• Present the poems in some sort of dramatic reading (as in the Speech and Debate examples you saw) or come up with an alternative presentation.  Consider using Power Point, poster boards, translating your poems into a "slam" competition, putting the words to music, or any other option you can think of.   
• You should start your presentation by answering the following questions:

1. What is your theme?  Why did you choose this theme?
2. What are the titles and authors of your poems?
3. Why did you select these poems? 
4. Do you have one that is your particular favorite?  What makes it your favorite?

You will have a couple of days in class to prepare your presentation.  (See Calendar).  Be aware that your notebook (Poem Portfolio) will be due on the first day of presentations.  See the Poem Portfolio webpage to get instructions on how to put your portfolio together.