Writing in Character

What do you think are the characteristics of a well-written character? Choose one of the persona poems from this week and explain what makes this character portrait effective.

Character and Poetry

Post your people watching poem here if you would like to share it with the class!

Schools of Poetry

As you begin your research for the group project, you will need to have an understanding of different schools of poetry so that you know what type of poet you want to research and how to contextualize his or her work.

Click on this link and read about two schools of poetry. Summarize the main aesthetic principles of these schools of poetry and list two poets that can be categorized as following this school. During what time period were these movements most active?

http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/193

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/learning/glossary-terms.html?category=schools-and-periods

Which Side Are You On?

Edgar Alan Poe on Beauty

How do you think Edgar Alan Poe defines beauty in the following quotes? Focus particularly on the first, controversial quote. What do you think he means by this strange quote?

The death of a beautiful woman, is unquestionably the most poetical topic in the world.
-Edgar Alan Poe

Beauty of whatever kind, in its supreme development, invariably excites the sensitive soul to tears.
-Edgar Alan Poe

Poetry is the rhythmical creation of beauty in words.
-Edgar Alan Poe

Poetry & Beauty

What is the relationship between poetry and beauty? Must good poetry be beautiful? How do you define beauty? Is there any objective way to define beauty? Provide a two sentence definition of beauty, emphasizing the relationship between poetry and beauty.

Ekphrasis