Special Project #2:Poem Review
Objective:
- Provide a thoughtful and elaborate reflection addressing the author’s emphasis (whether direct or symbolic) on any element of Afro-Latino identity in their poem integrating readings and class discussions.
- Demonstrate an understanding of what the author has to say to their audience and how it relates to class, Afro-Latinidad, Blackness, and any other element associated with being Afro-Latino.
- Use creativity in choosing and discussing the selected poem.
Instructions:
- First, select a poem/short text written by an Afro-Latinx writer (you may use this listhttps://www.latinobookreview.com/10-contemporary-afro-latino-authors-to-know--latino-book-review.htmlor the authors listed in Unit III).
- Then, write a reflection about that poem (include title of the poem, author and date of publication) highlighting previous class discussions, what is your interpretation of it, your reactions to it, and how certain tropes such as Blackness, Black women, music, resistance, negritude/negrismo, etc, are articulated by the author in their own way.
- Please make sure the author is Afro-Latino (a Latino or Latin American person of African descent), born in the United States or in Latin America (preferably in the United States). Since I know Spanish, the poem could be in Spanish, but your reflection has to be in English.
If you submit a review of a poem whose author is not Afro-Latino, you will fail the assignment and there’s no guarantee a second chance will be given.
4. Include the entire poem of choice for reference (if it is too long, include at least 4 stanzas). If not, points will be deducted (even if this is not included in the rubric below). The poem does not count within the page number expectation below (1-2 pages).
- Include at least one class reading and cite/reference it correctly along with any other sources you may use. At least one citation is required, besides the poem itself. You may use MLA, APA, or Chicago citation style.
Format:This paper is designed to reflect your thinking process and should be 1-2 pages in length, typed, double-spaced and in a 12-point Times New Roman (TNR) or Calibri font with one-inch margins. Grammar and spelling will be evaluated. The assignment will be checked against plagiarism.
Guiding Questions for Writing a Poem Review
Students can use the following guiding questions to brainstorm their ideas before writing their review but please refrain from submitting a paper answering these questions one by one. I want an essay that’s insightful, critical, elaborate, and creative.
1. What are the main points of the poem?
2. Why? What’s at stake for the author? What are they trying to convey? What does the author have to say to his/her/their audience?
3. What's their audience? Who are they appealing to?
4. What stands out the most pertaining to Afro-Latinidad and Blackness, if anything?
5. What are 3 representative or provocative or memorable quotes? Why were they special to you?
6. What are the poem’s strengths? Why are these particular strengths so apparent to you?
7. What are the poem’s weaknesses? Why are these particular weaknesses so apparent to you?
8. What stanzas or phrases did you have to return to for further clarity? What made them harder to comprehend?
9. What other kinds of questions or issues do you want to raise about this poem and/or author?
10. Does the author belong to any literary movement like Negrismo, negritude, Afrofuturismo, among others? Why you think this is the case or what symbols depict this idea?
11. How does this poem relate to your personal experiences, if applicable?
See the rubric in the "Special Projects" section in my Blackboard's class menu.