Prose Poetry Brainstorming Activity
Activity
Prose Poetry Brainstorming Activity
Grade Levels
10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, 9th Grade
Course, Subject
English Language Arts
Keywords
Related Academic Standards
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Description
This activity can be used in conjunction with the Prose Poetry Writing Model: Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" Activity, Prose Poetry Writing Activity, and the Prose Poetry Peer-Editing Activity.
After reading the model poem The Wind, a brief discussion should ensue that focuses on the rhythm, rhyme, use of stanzas, literary elements and repetition as they are similar to Poe's "'The Raven" This discussion could lead into Prose Poetry Brainstorming activity.
Directions:
- Students should choose one of four different colored pens (given to each group of four or less).
- Sign names with chosen color pen on topic sheet.
- *Please note that each group will need one person to be their presenter to the rest of the class once group work is finished.
- Think of as many ideas as possible to describe topic. The questions on each topic sheet may help students to brainstorm.
- Students take turns sharing and writing down ideas (IN COLOR PEN) on the topic sheet.
- Each member should write down his/her idea and pass the ditto to the right. The next member of the group should follow the same procedure. The sheet should go around the group at least three times.
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HINT: If a student becomes unable to create, have him/her think about one of the group's ideas and build off of it.
- After five minutes, write 3-4 sentences on the back of the topic sheet based on the brainstorming.
At teacher's instruction, students will have three minutes to write a paragraph that best describes his/her category.
Topic ideas:
Places
- A castle
- An abandoned house
- A forest
Focus on a room: walls, colors, windows (large/small), floor covering, ceiling, pictures, textures, furniture, smells.
Focus on the outside: walls, location, aura, structure, smells, colors, sky, land, location, height.
Focus on sounds: animals, wind, ground as it is walked on, birds.
Characters
- A timid character
- An aggressive character
Focus on physical appearance: facial expressions, eyes, nose, hair, height, gestures, hands, voice tone.
Focus on individuality: habits, hobbies, sports, humor, dress, role in life, experience.
Conflict
- Man Vs. Man; Man Vs. Self; Man Vs. Nature; Man Vs. Supernatural
Focus on main character's conflict: describe the character's personality, who is/are the problem, who is it that is working against him, is it the mind, imagination, does this make him/her happy or sad
Focus on individuality: What is different about the situation that creates a conflict?
Essential Question
How can writers apply the technique, style, and language of a 19th century writer?
Duration
45 minutes
Assessment
Students will follow a model to brainstorm, as a small group, ideas that will commence the writing process. This brainstorm will then be applied to a guided writing assignment of a prose poem. The rough draft will be peer edited for content. The final copy will be typed and read aloud to the class. All work can be given a double grade: one for content and one for mechanics.
Date Published
September 22, 2009
