Writing Your Epitaph Poem Where do I go from here?

Step 1: Review the Rubric and Requirements

Elements Description Missed 0,1 Attempted 2,3 Achieved 4 Excelled 5Style and Mechanics

First person ---------------------------------(written in 1st person)Characterization --------------------------(physical traits, personality, talents, flaws, history) Proper Spelling ----------------------------(perfect spelling = excelled)Appropriate Syntax ----------------------(periods and commas used)Length --------------------------------------- (11 lines)

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Content Symbolism ----------------------------------(clearly written with an illustration)Poetic Device #1 : -------------------------______________________________(underlined and labeled in the poem) Poetic Device #2 : -------------------------______________________________(underlined and labeled in the poem)Poetic Device #3 : -------------------------______________________________(underlined and labeled in the poem)

          

          

          

          

Step 2: Brainstorm a PERSONA• Choose a fictional character, politician, cartoon character,

Disney Character, celebrity, t.v. personality, a pet, etc…

• Draw a circle map.

• The framework is the requirements of the poem.

• The inner circle is your PERSONA.

• The outer circle is 20 things about this persona.

• Be creative. Think about their looks, feelings, motivations, fears, wants, likes/dislikes, friends, etc…

Step 3: Write a paragraph about your person.

The mad hatter is a bit crazy, so is his friend the rabbit. He loves hats. He has hundreds of them. He also makes hats for the queen when she asks. However, he fears that he will lose his head. He also fears being chased by the chesire cat. He prefers to drink tea, celebrate his unbirthdays, and sings twinkle twinkle little bat with a doormouse. He eventually lost his head!

• About 77 words

• Do not worry about first person, poetic devices, or how many lines yet.

• See my example on the left about the Mad Hatter.

Step 4: Separate the ideas by a “/”

The mad hatter is a bit crazy,/ so is his friend the rabbit./ He loves hats./ He has hundreds of them./ He also makes hats for the queen when she asks./ However, he fears that he will lose his head./ He also fears being chased by the chesire cat./ He prefers to drink tea,/ celebrate his unbirthdays,/ and sings twinkle twinkle little bat with a doormouse./ He eventually lost his head!

• This represents lines of poetry.

• Choose strong words that you want to emphasize.

• You can split a sentence in half.

• Look at my example on the left.

Step 5: Count how many lines your poem will have.

1. The mad hatter is a bit crazy,/ 2. so is his friend the rabbit./ 3. He loves hats./ He has hundreds of them./ 4. He also makes hats for the queen when she asks./ 5. However, he fears that he will lose his head./ 6. He also fears being chased by the chesire cat./ 7. He prefers to drink tea,/ 8. celebrate his unbirthdays,/ 9. and sings twinkle twinkle little bat with a doormouse./ 10. He eventually lost his head!

• Oops! I need to add one more line…

• You may need to add more by elaborating on an idea you already have.

• See my example.

Step 6: Change the lines into poetry. Add poetic devices and enhance your word choices. Change the poem into first person point of view. See my examples below.

Original line from paragraph

1. The mad hatter is a bit crazy, >>

2. so is his friend the rabbit. >>>>

3. He loves hats. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

4. He also makes hats for the queen when she asks. >>>>>>>>>>

Transformed into poetry

1. I feel frightfully funny for being dead!

2. The rabbit still seems to frolic about the tea table.

3. How I miss my head and hoard of hats that I left behind.

4. In my life, the lovely hats, bonnets, barets, ball caps, snap backs, sombreros and beanies brought me joy.

4. The mean queen of hearts was my most loyal client.

Step 7: Have a friend read the rough draft.

1. Count the lines. There should be 11.

2. Check that there are 3 clear poetic devices, underlined/highlighted and appropriately labeled.

3. Each poetic device that I am grading must be different.

4. Check that there is a metaphor/symbol prepared to be drawn onto the tombstone.

5. Check spelling and punctuation.

6. Check that it makes sense and offer advice if it does not.

• Do not copy your poem onto the tombstone until you have done this.

• Check for the items on the left.

Step 8: transfer work onto the tombstone. • Label poetic devices;

• Draw symbol;

• Put your name on your paper;

• Have a neighbor grade it with the top rubric on the back.