Initial Poetry Assignment

READ: the Introduction – ix-xii; be ready to discuss the following:
Read “To The Reader” in The Poetry Reader’s Toolkit – pages ix – xii
a. What does it mean that poetry has been “mystified”?
b. Why is reading poetry NOT like watching television?
c. Terms from these pages (Glossary in the back of the book):
i. Connotation
ii. Images
iii. Concrete & Abstract
iv. Rhyme
v. Rhythm
vi. Assonance
vii. Alliteration
viii. Metaphor
ix. Simile
x. Symbol

READ Chapter One; be ready to discuss the following questions:
1. What did the author’s father mean when he said, “That was poetry” in reference to a quarterback’s play?
2. What is the difference between literal meaning and metaphorical meaning?
3. How can listening to music be similar to reading and understanding poetry?
4. Explain why PATIENCE may be the most important key in understanding poetry?
5. What is meant by the “speaker” of the poem & why is this important?