Do:

• Briefly introduce poem: author, date, context, familiarity or difficulty
   

• Announce leading point or theme in your interpretation
   

• Relate to other readings that day or otherwise
   

• Relate to a course objective or another point raised in class
   

• Read poem aloud (practice pronunciations)
   

• Ask question(s) to begin discussion
   

• Lead discussion
   

• Emphasize what we can learn from the poem, especially at our distance in time
   

(Order of requirements is flexible)

Don't:

Go on and on about the author's life

Reduce the poem's meaning to parallels with the author's life

Do:

Try some "intertextuality"--connect your text to other texts we're reading that day or any day

optional:

Web posting or summary is optional. If you want to post your notes for use onscreen, email them to instructor before class or bring on flash-drive.

• Presenting student may stand at front (using the computer / projector or not)

Or

• Remain seated and lead "seminar style" (instructor can help with onscreen text?)

Timing:

• 8-12 minutes for the presentation itself
   

• After about 10 minutes, you're talking to yourself
   

• Discussion may run longer
   

• If the presentation part goes too long, you'll be asked to wrap up and ask your question to start discussion
   

• Warning: students are ready to discuss soon after the reading, so don't lose the moment.