Plan, memorize, and recite a poem to convey the poem’s meaning.In this assignment, you will memorize and recite a poem and then reflect on your experience. You
may choose a poem you have previously read or do research to find a new one. You will then reflect
on your experience by writing a short response. You will complete the assignment by submitting
your written response. Step 1: Plan to memorize and recite a poem.
a) Choose a poem that appeals to you as an African American girl
b) Read the poem all the way through.
c) Determine the meaning and pronunciation of each word used in the poem. Consult a dictionary
or ask your teacher for help finding additional resources.
d) Summarize the the central ideas of the poem and determine the poem’s mood. Your
understanding of the poem will affect your speaking style.
Step 2: Memorize a poem.
a) Choose the strategy you will use to memorize the poem. Common methods including, reading
aloud, writing it out, breaking it into small chunks, or listening to an audio recording.
b) Use your chosen strategy to practice until you learn the entire poem.
c) Analyze the structure of the poem to help you decide where to include pauses and how to pace
yourself. Punctuation and the placement of lines and stanzas are also important to include in
your memorization so you know when to speed up, slow down and when to stop to breathe.
d) Make sure you have memorized both the words and the pacing of the poem and can recite the
whole poem from memory Step 3: Recite a poem in front of a group.
a) Speak clearly, articulate each word using an appropriate volume, rate of speech, and tone of
voice. Use a tone that helps the audience understand the meaning of the poem.
b) Keep a steady pace that matches the intended rhythm of the poem.
c) Keep natural eye contact as you speak.
d) Stand up straight.
e) Use appropriate body language. An occasional gesture is fine, but you don’t want to draw
attention away from the poem.
f) Stay relaxed. The more you enjoy yourself, the more your audience will enjoy your recitation.
Step 4: Reflect on the performance by preparing a written response that evaluates your performance.
a) Using a word-processing program, write two to three paragraphs that evaluate your
performance.
b) Include responses to these questions in your evaluation:
What did you do to prepare in advance for reciting the poem? How well prepared were
you?
How well did you memorize the poem? What strategies did you use for memorizing? Did
you forget any of the words? How accurate was your recitation?
Did you speak at a pace and volume appropriate to the poem and audience?
How successful were you at communicating the meaning of the poem by using your tone
of voice, structure and rhythm?
Did you present yourself well, using good posture and confident appearance?
How did you use eye contact, the volume of your voice, or other means to connect with
others during the poem?
How did the audience respond to the poem and your recitation?
Did you enjoy your performance?
Step 5: Revise and submit your written response.
a) Read over your response to make sure that you’ve answered each question completely.
b) Revise, edit, and save your written response.
c) Submit your response. Congratulations on completing your poetry recitation and evaluation
As an African American girl, I would choose the poem "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou. This poem appeals to me because it speaks to the resilience and strength of African American women, which I can relate to.
To prepare for reciting the poem, I would read it all the way through to get a full understanding of its meaning. I would then consult a dictionary or other resources to ensure I understand the meaning and pronunciation of each word. By doing this, I can accurately convey the poem's message to the audience.
To memorize the poem, I would use the strategy of reading it aloud repeatedly. Breaking it into smaller chunks and practicing each section individually would also help. Additionally, I would analyze the structure of the poem to determine where to include pauses and how to pace myself. This would involve paying attention to punctuation, line breaks, and stanzas.
When reciting the poem in front of a group, I would make sure to speak clearly and articulate each word with an appropriate volume and tone. I would also maintain a steady pace that matches the intended rhythm of the poem. Keeping natural eye contact, standing up straight, and using appropriate body language would enhance my performance and maintain the audience's attention. Staying relaxed and enjoying myself would help engage the audience and make the recitation more enjoyable for both parties.
In reflecting on my performance, I would evaluate how well I prepared in advance and how well I memorized the poem. I would also consider if I spoke at an appropriate pace and volume for the poem and the audience. Evaluating my success in communicating the meaning of the poem through my tone of voice, structure, and rhythm would also be important. Additionally, I would assess how well I presented myself, including posture and confidence. Finally, I would consider the audience's response to the poem and my recitation, as well as my own enjoyment of the performance.
After reviewing and revising my written response, I would submit it, completing the assignment.