CAP Poet Reports

posted 9/4/03

Welcome to the 1st annual CAP Author Reports. This aspect of the course consists of a class presentation--in a group of 3 or 4 people--about a contemporary American poet.

Because CAP studies a handful of canonical, "book" poets and then about 10 more local poets, there are many quality poets left out of the CAP curriculum. This assignment will introduce you to other worthy poets. The goal of this assignment is to expose you to another author--the one you choose--in great detail, and also to learn about other authors from your classmates.

You are expected to 1) Read poems by your poet; 2) Read as much as possible about your author; 3) Present your author, his/her poetry, and his/her life to the classin an organized, interactive--and even creative-- 25-minute presentation.

Feel free to use handouts, video, audio, posterboards, or any other mechanism during your presentation. The objective of the presentation is to educate your classmates about your writer and his/her literature, and a straight-up lecture may not be the best way to do that.

If you have a certain poetic interest, pursue it. Likewise, you may wish to "play to your strengths (and interests)" in your presentation. An artist may wish to create a drawing or two depicting his author or a scene from one of the works; a computer aficianado may want to design a webpage. A sports addict may want to turn her report into an ESPN Sports Center show, etc. You have carte blanche .

First step: flip through your CAP anthology and look at some of the poems in it. See if any catch your eye. Your list of prospective poets need not be confined to the CAP anthology. While I think in many ways it would be more interesting to study a living poet, there may be a poet no longer living who appeals to you. The only rules are that: 1) they're American; 2) they were born after 1900; 3) I approve your choice. The benefit of studying a living poet is that it might be possible for your to speak with them via email or telephone, thus giving you added insight into their work.

Sylvia Plath is off limits because we will study her.

Proposal: due Wednesday, November 19 - This should consist of one typewritten paragraph--one per group--indicating the author you chose and the people working together. In a few sentences, explain why you chose that particular poet. Also, please list a 2nd choice author in case others have picked your #1.

Progress Report: due Wed, December 3 - 1-2 typewritten paragraphs--again, one report per group--discussing what you have read by and about your author, and what you've learned.

You should be reading material by and about your author during this time

Progress Report #2 : due Wednesday, December 10 - Updated progress report, 1-2 paragraphs.

Presentation Format Report : due Tuesday, December 16 - 1-2 typewritten pages discussing in detail how you plan to go about your presentation. You should be very specific in this report. You presentation should be well thought-out.

"Draft" To Determine Presentation Order: , Wednesday, December 17

CAP AUTHOR PRESENTATIONS :
Tuesday, January 6(Day 1, #1 and #2 presenting)
Wednesday, January 7 (Day 2, #3 and #4 presenting)
Thursday, January 8 (Day 3, #5 and #6 presenting)
Friday, January 9 (Day 4, #7 presenting; wrap-up)

Have fun , and let me know how I can help.