LITR
4332 American Minority Literature 2008 Syllabus
Student Presentation: Poetry Reader / Discussion Leader
A web posting is required of all presentations--general requirements for student presentations
Purpose: Since most of our course's assigned readings are prose, this assignment extends the course objectives to poetry, especially
6b. To emphasize how all speakers and writers use literary devices such as narrative and figures of speech.
6c. To discover literature's power to express the minority voice and vicariously share minority experience.
Overall Description of presentation:
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Student practices reading poem aloud and prepares a presentation with web posting
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Student introduces, reads, interprets, and leads a discussion an assigned poem
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Relate poem to objectives
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Ask questions & lead discussion based on presentation
Timing:
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The presentation itself should run from 5-10 minutes.
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Discussion may run indefinitely.
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Discussion may be coordinated with that of the day's Literary-Style Reader.
Format or process:
1. Your assigned poem will be posted via weblink in the syllabus. In your presentation you may use the poem exclusively on the screen, or you may make photocopies of a printout--instructor will help if requested.
2. Most students project an outline of the presentation via the web-projector. (Email to instructor at least an hour before class.)
3. Introduce, read aloud, and briefly interpret your assigned poem relative to one or two course objectives.
4. Ask a question and lead discussion of the poem. (You may post more than one question.)
- Questions should follow from your interpretation, but don't hesitate to seek help: "Do you understand and agree with my interpretation? Does anyone else have a different interpretation?"
- Extended discussion may raise questions like, "Were there other passages that were especially powerful or difficult?"
5. Ten-minute time limit for presentation itself. Discussion may run longer.