Your name___________________________________________________________________________Date_____________________

Spoken Word Poetry Project - Performance on 10/31

Your assignment is to write a poem of at least 50 lines, which you will write and perform. The poem should address one of the themes
listed and be inspired by Jay Davis poem Favorite Color. The poem must include imagery (5 senses) and simile and should be free verse (not
rhyme). Extra points will be given if you can incorporate all the other literary elements listed below.
Grading process
What is it?

When is it due?

1) Brainstorm and drafting in notebook

Grade

Due by end-of class today

25

2) Fresh hand-written draft (optional to type and share for feedback)

Due by Monday, October 24 - in notebook is

fine

25

3) Typed draft shared by email

Due by Friday, October 28 at 5pm

25

4) Printed version in your hand when you walk into class

Monday, October 31

100

5) Performance of your poem on 10/31

Monday, October 31

100

Remember, no late work is accepted, so you must meet the deadlines for credit.
Themes

Required Literary

Extra points literary devices

Racism
Colorism
Sexism
Discrimination of any kind
Identity
Childhood memories

Imagery (5 senses)
Simile (my pillow is like a cloud)
Free Verse (dont try to rhyme)

Metaphor
Alliteration
Personification
Irony
Onomatopoeia

Jay Davis Poem - Favorite Color

1 example of imagery from the
poem

1 example of metaphor from the

poem

1 example of a simile from the

poem

What is the poem about? What is your reaction to it?

Your favorite line

Poem guidelines: In the poem, Jay Davis writes directly to the person who has affected her. In your poem, please
directly address the person of issue you are writing about.

Brainstorm: This of a memory or incident that responds to one of the themes listed and jot down what comes to mind
when you think of this:

Draft: Freewrite/draft a poem in response to one of the themes. Feel free to use one of the following prompts:

- Mom/dad, I wish I knew

Your child(ren)
This is not just another one of my
phases
Humans just have crazy
tendencies when
I want you to stop
Pay close attention to
My skin is like
My childhood was like
Every time I look in the mirror,
I