Poetry Journal Requirements

Poetry relates to all themes of literature.  To help us better understand poetry, we will read and respond to poems throughout the school year.  When given an assignment, you will have one week to complete the response.

One section of your notebook will be designated as your poetry journal.  It will have two major components.

1. Literary Term Notes 
 In this section, we will record definitions and examples of terms necessary for
discussing and interpreting poetry.  You should try to use these terms when writing
your poetry responses.

2. Poems and Reflections  
In this section, you will keep the copies of each of the poems we discuss.  After
reading the poem several times, you should respond to it in two parts.
A. Literary Techniques
List literary terms used in the poem with examples or explanations.  When copying a specific example from the poem, remember to copy the example exactly as it appears in the poem and use quotation marks.
B. Personal Response
Write a paragraph explaining what you think of the poem and why.  It
does not matter whether you like the poem or do not like the poem as long as you explain why.  Often you will also be given questions to help guide your paragraph.  Include your answers within the paragraph.

GRADING OF THE JOURNAL
Four four-point rubrics will be used to grade each poetry assignment in the areas of literary examples, response analysis, writing skills, and effort. Examples of the rubrics are as follows:

POETRY RESPONSE GRADING RUBRIC

Literary Examples

 

4 – Student accurately records examples for all literary terms assigned to poem.

3 – Student accurately records examples for all but one of the literary terms assigned to poem.

2 – Student inaccurately records examples for two of the literary terms assigned to poem.

1 – Student inaccurately records examples for more than two of the literary terms assigned to poem.

0 – No judgment can be made.

Response Analysis

 

4 – The student clearly and effectively answers the response questions and provides support that contains rich, vivid and powerful detail; provides specific details and reasons as to why student likes or dislikes poem.

3 – The student clearly answers the response questions and provides suitable support and detail; provides some details and reasons as to why student likes or dislikes poem.

2 – The student answers the response questions and provides minimal support and detail; provides limited details and reasons as to why student likes or dislikes poem.

1 – The student is off target with answers to the response questions; disjointed, inaccurate ideas and details provided; does not provide a reason for liking or disliking poem.

0 – No judgment can be made.

 

Writing Skills

 

4 - The student shows exemplary writing skills through paragraph organization, sentence structure, use of Words Often Confused, correct spelling, grammar, and mechanics usage.

3 - The student shows sufficient writing skills through paragraph organization, sentence structure, use of Words Often Confused, correct spelling, grammar, and mechanics usage.

2 - The student shows adequate writing skills through paragraph organization, sentence structure, use of Words Often Confused, correct spelling, grammar, and mechanics usage.

1 - The student shows minimal writing skills through paragraph organization, sentence structure, use of Words Often Confused, correct spelling, grammar, and mechanics usage.

0 - No judgment can be made.

Effort

 

4 – The student is punctual or early turning in this assignment and shows exemplary thought and accurate details with both the literary terms and response analysis.

3 – The student is punctual or early turning in this assignment and shows good thought and mostly accurate details with both the literary terms and response analysis.

2 – The student is punctual or early turning in this assignment and shows minimal thought and some inaccurate details with both the literary terms and response analysis.

1 – The student is not punctual or early in turning in this assignment and shows no coherent thought and is inaccurate with details for both the literary terms and response analysis.

0 – No judgment can be made.