Emily Dickinson

Where Ships of Purple—gently toss—

On Seas of Daffodil—

Fantastic Sailors—mingle—

And then—the Wharf is still!

1. Make one or two absolutely literal statements about the text (ones that no one could disagree with).

2. Briefly describe the central tension of the text

3. Make one interpretive statement about an image in the text (one in which you ascribe meaning or investigate a meaning beyond the literal. Be prepared to defend your interpretation with evidence from the text.)

4. Make a central assertion that captures the most valid meaning/message of the text.

5. Ask one key question about the poem.

“This Is Just to Say” --William Carlos Williams

I have eatenthe plumsthat were inthe icebox

and whichyou were probablysavingfor breakfast

Forgive methey were deliciousso sweetand so cold

1. Make one or two absolutely literal statements about the text (ones that no one could disagree with).

2. Briefly describe the central tension of the text

3. Make one interpretive statement about an image in the text (one in which you ascribe meaning or investigate a meaning beyond the literal. Be prepared to defend your interpretation with evidence from the text.)

4. Make a central assertion that captures the most valid meaning/message of the text.

5. Ask one key question about the poem.

“Harlem” –Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?      

Does it dry up     like a raisin in the sun?      Or fester like a sore—      And then run?      Does it stink like rotten

meat?      Or crust and sugar over

—      like a syrupy sweet?      

Maybe it just sags      like a heavy load.      

Or does it explode?

1. Make one or two absolutely literal statements about the text (ones that no one could disagree with).

2. Briefly describe the central tension of the text

3. Make one interpretive statement about an image in the text (one in which you ascribe meaning or investigate a meaning beyond the literal. Be prepared to defend your interpretation with evidence from the text.)

4. Make a central assertion that captures the most valid meaning/message of the text.

5. Ask one key question about the poem.

“The Facebook Sonnet” --Sherman Alexie

Welcome to the endless high-schoolReunion. Welcome to past friendsAnd lovers, however kind and cruel.Let's undervalue and unmendThe present. Why can't we pretendEvery state of life is the same?Let's exhume, resume, and extendChildhood. Let's all play the games That occupy the young. Let fameAnd shame intertwine. Let one's

searchFor God become public domain.Let church.com become our church. Let's sign up, sign in, and confessHere at the altar of loneliness.

1. Ask one key question about the poem.

2. Make one or two absolutely literal statements about the text (ones that no one could disagree with).

3. Briefly describe the central tension of the text

4. Make one interpretive statement about an image in the text (one in which you ascribe meaning or investigate a meaning beyond the literal. Be prepared to defend your interpretation with evidence from the text.)

5. Make a central assertion that captures the most valid meaning/message of the text.