Reading Poetry

Read through the annotations of “Slam, Dunk, & Hook.” Based on the annotations provided, what might be the overall message of the poem? What annotations lead you to this conclusion?

Step 1: Initial Reading

Read the poem as is. Don’t make any marks on the paper. We just want to get a feel for the poem itself.

2 minutes

Step 2: Read the poem again and…

Circle or highlight ANY words or phrases that are interesting or unfamiliar. Note in the margins WHY these words/phrases stand out to you. (This is your space; do not hesitate to write any thoughts you may have.)

5 min.

Step 3: Read the poem again and...

Who is speaking, and how does he/she seem to feel about the topic?

Draw lines to connect any patterns/words/phrases that seem to relate to one another.

Note any shifts in tone/viewpoint.

Step 4: Read through the poem again and…

Note lines/passages that you believe are most important for understanding the poem’s meaning.

Pose questions about the text/Look for themes.

Note any figurative language. Why is it effective?

Step 5: Read the poem one final time and…Try to summarize it one short paragraph.

Ask yourself the following questions about the poem and respond in your notebooks/on the poem itself:So what?What’s its purpose?What does it do?

Draw a venn diagram on a blank piece of paper. Fill in the diagram with similarities and differences between the two poems. (Structure, syntax, diction, literary devices, meaning, images, point of view, etc.)

Copy down as many as possible!

With a partner, try to write a thesis statement for the following prompt:

“Basketball figures prominently in both “Slam, Dunk, & Hook” and “Fast Break.” In an essay, compare and contrast the two poems, analyzing the literary devices each writer uses to explore the speaker’s attitude toward the game of basketball.”

Model Thesis: “In these two poems, imagery and rhythm reveal the

relationship between the players and the sport they love, but a world of difference separates the experience of basketball for each of the speakers.” OR….

“Although both Komunyakaa and Hirsch depict basketball as a transformative experience, the rhythm and imagery in the poems show just how different those experiences are.”

Why: Both statements evenly balance the focus on meaning (theme) and the language that is used to convey the message.