Writing a Narrative Poem: Tell Your Own Story

Honors English I

By Lisa Johnson

Culminating Activity

 

Assignment

 

Your assignment is to write a narrative poem using ideas that you have learned during our poetry unit.  After reading the poem “Sir Patrick Spens” (located on the attached handout) we will, as a class, brainstorm some ideas together.  We will then go into the library to research some topics that are of interest to you.  You need to keep in mind that a narrative poem must have at least one main character, a clear setting, a plot, as well as a climax and resolution.  You must also have a definite rhyme pattern and repetition.  In addition you must also use figurative language within your poem, along with at least one epic simile.  Prior to turning in the final work, we will have a peer review day in which your friends will give you feedback on your poem.

 

Requirements

 

  1. Minimum of eight stanzas
  2. Have at least one main character, clear setting, plot, and climax and resolution.
  3. Have a definite rhyme pattern and repetition.
  4. Show evidence of figurative language within the poem with at least one epic simile
  5. Your topic must be pre approved by the teacher.
  6. Provide evidence of research on your topic or subject.
  7. Peer review sheet attached to your final draft.

 

Publication Opportunity!!!!!

 

Anyone wishing to turn in their poem for publication will have the opportunity.  I will send poems to http://www.poeticpower.com/ when they are completed so do your very best work!  Good luck and happy writing.

 

 

Rubric

 

*Narrative elements in place (setting, characters, plot, climax and resolution).    20 points

 

*Definite rhyme pattern and repetition                                                               10 points

 

*Figurative language with at least one epic simile                                                 10 points

 

*Eight stanzas                                                                                                     5 points

 

*Evidence of research and peer review sheet                                                       5 points

 

*Bonus points for presenting your poem to the class                                             5 points

 

                                                                                                                                    /50

 

 

 

Sir Patrick Spens~~~~~Fifteenth Century

 

The king sits in Dumferline town,

  Drinking the blood-red wine:

“O where will I get a good sailor

   To sail this ship of mine?”

 

Up and spoke an eldern knight

  Sat at the king’s right knee:

“Sir Patrick Spens is the best sailor

  That sails upon the sea.”

 

The king has written a braid letter

  And signed it wi’ his hand,

And sent it to Sir Patrick Spens,

  Was walking on the sand.

 

The first line that Sir Patrick read,

  A loud laugh laughed he;

The next line that Sir Patrick read,

  A tear blinded his eye.

 

“O who is this has done this deed,

  This ill deed done to me,

To send me out this time o’ the year,

  To sail upon the sea?”

 

“Make haste, make haste, my merry men all,

   Our good ship sails the morn.”

“O say not so, my master dear,

  For I fear a deadly storm.”

 

Late late yestere’en I saw the new moon

  With the old moon in her arm,

And I fear, I fear, my dear master,

  That we will come to harm.”

 

O our Scots nobles were right loath

  To wet their cork-heeled shoon,

But long ere a’ the play were played

  Their hats they swam aboon.

 

O long, long may their ladies sit

  Wi’ their fans into their hand,

Or e’er they see Sir Patrick Spens

  Come sailing to the land.

 

O long, long may the ladies stand,

  Wi’ their gold combs in their hair,

Waiting for their own dear lords,

  For they’ll see them no more.

 

Half o’er, half o’er to Aberdour

  It’s fifty fathom deep,

And there lies good Sir Patrick Spens,

  Wi’ the Scots lords at his feet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core Content

 

WR-HS-1.1.0 Purpose/Audience: Students will establish and maintain a focused purpose to communicate with an authentic audience by

 *Narrowing the topic to present an idea, theme or thesis

 

WR-HS-1.2.2 In personal expressive/literary writing

*Students will communicate theme/main idea through use of literary elements appropriate to the genre:

                                       *Students will develop characters through emotions, actions

                                         reactions, descriptions, thoughts, or dialogue when appropriate.

                                     

                                        * Students will development plot/story line appropriate to the

                                           form.

 

*Students will develop an appropriate setting, mood, scene, image or feeling.

 

*Students will incorporate literary or poetic devices for an intentional effect.

 

*Students will incorporate reflection, insight and analysis when appropriate.

 

WR-HS-4.7.0 Focusing

*Connecting to content knowledge

*Connecting with prior learning and experience

*Initiating an authentic reason to write

*Thinking about a subject, an experience, a question, an issue, or a problem to determine a meaningful reason to write.

 

WR-HS-4.12.0 Publishing

*Sharing final piece with intended audience

 

 

 

Narrative Poem Peer Editing Worksheet

 

Title of the poem:____________________________________________________

 

Editor’s name:

 

Poet’s name:

 

  1. Total number of stanzas:

 

  1. What is the rhyme pattern?

 

  1. Does every stanza “fit” this pattern?

 

  1. List all characters.  Circle the name of the main character.

 

 

 

  1. What is the main setting?

 

  1. What is the overall conflict?

 

  1. What theme is revealed or implied?

 

  1. On a scale of 1 to 5, rate the use of figurative language.  Clearly explain your rating.

 

 

 

  1. What word, phrase, line, or stanza is repeated?

 

  1. Copy the epic simile below.

 

 

 

 

 

  1. On a scale of 1 to 5, rate the amount of creativity and effort implied by the poem and clearly explain your rating.

 

 

 

 

  1. Name one thing you learned from reading this poem.

 

 

 

  1. List two things you really liked about this poem.

 

 

 

14. List one suggestion (constructive criticism) for the author (yes, you have to).