So PLEASE do not stop writing iambic pentameter, even though the next task is something different. Mastering iambic pentameter is one of the MOST IMPORTANT English skills you can ever learn. Believe me. Keep persevering... :)
Right. On to Task 9...
* * * * * *
Step One
I would like you to read this week's Poem of the Week on the Fast Track Blog. This is a poem by the poet Matt Harvey, whom I saw performing in London last weekend. Read it carefully several times, and see if you can 'tune into' its rhythm and structure...
The basic structure of each stanza is as follows:
8 lines, each divided into 2 parts: a) (usually) 3 Feet; and b) (usually) 3 Feet. (Although he varies this sometimes, as can you.)
But the last of these lines, in each stanza, is separated on to two lines rather than one.
Most of the lines rhyme TWICE: the end of the first part of Line 1 rhymes with the end of the first part of Line 2; and the same goes for the end of the second part. So the rhyme scheme is kind of ab ab cd cd etc....
As for the FEET used (i.e. whether they are iambic, trochaic, anapestic, spondaic or whatever) you will notice there is some variety. But if you try and clap along to the poem, you will soon notice where the feet lie. If any of you are lucky enough to have a metronome at home, then use that instead; or if you have an electric keyboard, on which you can programme a simple, even beat, you could try reading in time to that instead.
This task (i.e. reading the poem out loud) will take you a good half an hour or MORE (if you are doing it properly). Don't be self-conscious - or hide away somewhere private if you are.
Step Two
When you have done Step One, ask someone else (family or friend) to read Matt Harvey's poem out loud to YOU. Listen carefully as they do so, and check to see if you can tune in to the rhythm correctly. And notice how in one stanza (deliberately, due to the subject matter) there are more lines than the others.
By now, you should have the rhythm clearly (and maybe even annoyingly) in your head. In which case you are ready to move on to...
Step Three
Part One of each line consists of a phrase beginning "Part of me is..."
Part Two of each line consists of a development of that idea; or an explanation; or an example.
The exception to this is the final couplet of each stanza, in which Part One is, as usual, a "Part of me is..." phrase. But Part Two is a motif - a repeated phrase which occurs throughout the poem and binds it all together: "But most of me is dreams". I know he adds an extra phrase in the very last line, but the idea is the same.
Look carefully at the poem and make sure you fully understand this structure. Because your success with Task 9 will DEPEND on it! :)
Step Four
Right. Now you understand the rhythm, rhyme and structure of the poem, it is time for you to draft your own. Matt Harvey's poem, as you will have realised, is about HIMSELF, and explores the many complicated (and sometimes contradictory) sides to his personality.
I would like you to write your own poem, following the same rhythm and structure as his, but about YOU and what makes YOU the person you are.
I don't mind how many stanzas you write (he wrote FIVE, but you can write anything between 2 and 6). But each stanza must*:
This is a very difficult task. Done properly, it will take you a long time. For that reason, I will give you TWO WEEKS to complete this task. I expect ALL of you to complete the task by Saturday 21st July.
As ever, this is MY attempt at the task. I've given it my own title, and you can do so too with yours:
I would like you to read this week's Poem of the Week on the Fast Track Blog. This is a poem by the poet Matt Harvey, whom I saw performing in London last weekend. Read it carefully several times, and see if you can 'tune into' its rhythm and structure...
The basic structure of each stanza is as follows:
8 lines, each divided into 2 parts: a) (usually) 3 Feet; and b) (usually) 3 Feet. (Although he varies this sometimes, as can you.)
But the last of these lines, in each stanza, is separated on to two lines rather than one.
Most of the lines rhyme TWICE: the end of the first part of Line 1 rhymes with the end of the first part of Line 2; and the same goes for the end of the second part. So the rhyme scheme is kind of ab ab cd cd etc....
As for the FEET used (i.e. whether they are iambic, trochaic, anapestic, spondaic or whatever) you will notice there is some variety. But if you try and clap along to the poem, you will soon notice where the feet lie. If any of you are lucky enough to have a metronome at home, then use that instead; or if you have an electric keyboard, on which you can programme a simple, even beat, you could try reading in time to that instead.
This task (i.e. reading the poem out loud) will take you a good half an hour or MORE (if you are doing it properly). Don't be self-conscious - or hide away somewhere private if you are.
Step Two
When you have done Step One, ask someone else (family or friend) to read Matt Harvey's poem out loud to YOU. Listen carefully as they do so, and check to see if you can tune in to the rhythm correctly. And notice how in one stanza (deliberately, due to the subject matter) there are more lines than the others.
By now, you should have the rhythm clearly (and maybe even annoyingly) in your head. In which case you are ready to move on to...
Step Three
Part One of each line consists of a phrase beginning "Part of me is..."
Part Two of each line consists of a development of that idea; or an explanation; or an example.
The exception to this is the final couplet of each stanza, in which Part One is, as usual, a "Part of me is..." phrase. But Part Two is a motif - a repeated phrase which occurs throughout the poem and binds it all together: "But most of me is dreams". I know he adds an extra phrase in the very last line, but the idea is the same.
Look carefully at the poem and make sure you fully understand this structure. Because your success with Task 9 will DEPEND on it! :)
Step Four
Right. Now you understand the rhythm, rhyme and structure of the poem, it is time for you to draft your own. Matt Harvey's poem, as you will have realised, is about HIMSELF, and explores the many complicated (and sometimes contradictory) sides to his personality.
I would like you to write your own poem, following the same rhythm and structure as his, but about YOU and what makes YOU the person you are.
I don't mind how many stanzas you write (he wrote FIVE, but you can write anything between 2 and 6). But each stanza must*:
- have the same number of lines
- follow the same rhythm: 3 feet/3 feet (apart from the final couplet)
- follow the same rhyme scheme (for both parts of each line)
- follow the same structure: "Part of me..." + explanation/example/development
- finish with a motif repeated at the end of each stanza.
This is a very difficult task. Done properly, it will take you a long time. For that reason, I will give you TWO WEEKS to complete this task. I expect ALL of you to complete the task by Saturday 21st July.
As ever, this is MY attempt at the task. I've given it my own title, and you can do so too with yours:
Trying to Be
Part of me is getting lost - I look but cannot find
Part of me is tempest-tossed - and getting left behind
Part of me is wary - I find it hard to trust
Part of me is scary - and generates disgust
Part of me is so alone - without a friend at all
Part of me's on answerphone - and won't return your call
Part of me's dissolving - just watch me disappear
Part of me's evolving
But most of me is fear.
Part of me's a movie star - beloved of stage and screen
Part of me's a groovy car - in bright metallic green
Part of me demands you look - I put on quite a show
And part of me's a Sunday Times bestseller - don't you know
Part of me is there in lights - for everyone to see
And part of me has scaled the heights - I'm sure that you'll agree
Part of me is eminent - so easy to revere
But part of me just came and went
And most of me is fear.
Part of me is John and Paul - composing Abbey Road
But part of me is Oppenheimer - waiting to explode
Part of me is Spielberg - while imagining ET
But part of me is Schubert - his unfinished symphony
Part of me is Warhol - just not shocking any more
And part of me is Tolstoy - but much less peace than war
Part of me is Shakespeare - and foolish nuncle Lear
And part of me is nothing
But most of me is fear.
Part of me's pretending - I'm being someone else
Part of me is ending - the last one on the shelf
Part of me is giggling - but purely out of nerves
Part of me is wriggling - and gets what it deserves
Part of me is second best - and sadly past its prime
Part of me won't pass the test - I'm running out of time
Part of me has lost the fight - and cannot persevere
Part of me is not all right
And most of me is fear.
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