Focus Correction Areas:

Explication /50
Presentation /50
Bonus: /10
Total Grade: /100
Poetry Project: Music Explication

As we learned in class, a poem is just a melody away from a hit song. Knowing that, you will be explicating
one of your favorite songs, much like we’ve been doing during our poetry unit in class.

Step 1: Choose a song. Please make sure this song is appropriate to share in class. Do not choose songs that
have inappropriate language or topics. If you are questioning your selection, I’d be happy to listen to and read
the lyrics and make the decision for you, BUT make sure you give it to me in advance.

Step 2: Explicate the song. In a 2 page essay, explicate your choice. These essays must be typed, double
spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman font. I have given you a handout concerning how to write a proper
explication. You may also use your poetry packet to assist you. You will need to cover at least 5 of the
following 12 elements:
• Diction - word choice (using “skulking” instead of “walking slowly”)
• Hyperbole – a statement that is an exaggeration (I’m so hungry, I could eat a horse)
• Metaphor – a comparison that does not use “like” or “as”
• Personification – giving a non-human object human characteristics
• Similie – a comparison using “like” or “as”
• Symbolism – use of symbols to represent ideas or emotions (Dove representing peace)
• Imagery - language that evokes sensations of sight, sound, smell, taste and touch.
• Alliteration - repetition of consonant sounds (knick knack, final four, road rage)
• Assonance- the repetition of vowel sounds in non-rhyming words (thunder crumbling)
• Syntax – word order (Remember Act 4, Scene 1 in Romeo & Juliet: I will confess to you that I love
HIM)
• Tone/Speaker – who’s speaking in the poem? (what attitude has the poet taken towards the subject?)
• Rhyme Scheme - the pattern of end rhyme in a poem (ex: A, B, A, B, B)

Step 3: Prepare your presentation. This is where you get to get creative. You will be creating a 5 minute
presentation of your song to the class. Make sure to have a copy of the song to play. How you present the song
is up to you. You may utilize power point, handouts, posters, etc. If you will need any technology that I do not
currently have in the classroom, you will need to let me know ahead of time. I will be grading you on your
creativity and how you present your song.

Bonus: Perform a Poem at HOP’s Open Mic Night, Dec 11th.

The Helping Out People Club is having an open mic night on December 11th. Students that perform one of their
poems or conduct some other type of performance will receive 10 bonus points on the project.

These explications will be due in by Tuesday, December 1st. Presentations will be held during class from the 1st
until the 4th.