DUE DATE: 1/11/2011
MacNolia, by A. Van Jordan
Write a definition poem. You may choose one of Jordan’s poems to use as a model (found on pages 21, 27-28, 44, 46, 80). Below is another model. Consider the following criteria for your definition poem:
- Use shape and structure of a real dictionary definition. Meaning, the part of speech, pronunciation, inflection marks, and various definitions become a backbone to your poem.
- Tell some kind of story. It may be a sketchy vignette or a tiny anecdote.
- Try to use lyrical language; remember this is a poem, sound devices, such as alliteration, assonance, onomatopoeia, rhyme and near rhyme, count. Do not write too prosy!
- Because this is not a poem written in lines, we are requiring a word count. The poem must be a minimum of 150 words, maximum of 200. Use MLA heading and format your poem like the example below.
- Proofread! Grammatical, spelling and usage errors do not bode well…L.
- This must be typed, printed and submitted to either Mr. Johansson, Mr. Loman, or one of the Testas by 2:30pm on 1/11/11.
—————– EXAMPLE ——————-
Your name
Valley Voyages
Teacher name
January 11, 2011
con so nant (kä΄sә nәnt) n. linguistics a speech sound produced by partly or totally blocking the path of air through the mouth. As at the end of the word “dwell” the two “l”s nestle making one sound in your mouth; or at school when Mrs. Silverman’s class choral reads a poem, each rhyme resonating through mouthed vowels then stopping with a myriad of “tsts.” adj. 1. in harmony or agreement; in accord. Such as when you giggling girls swing side-by-side, pulling legs back and propelling them forward, arcing, toes like an exclamation point against the cloudless blue; such as when you and Emily lie side-by-side on a shag carpeted floor one ear bud each, lip syncing to Radio Disney; 2. harmonious in tone: opposed to dissonant. Such as over breakfast when your brothers’ laughing eyes lock over hot cocoa, stirring spoons clanking beating sympathetic rhythms against the insides of their mugs; such as at the last bell of the day, when the synonymous jingling of the keys of two school custodians quitting their break walking in opposite directions to champion streaming faucets and sputtering boilers.
~L. Testa, fall 2007
word count: 188
