Poetry Recitation/Explication/Imitation & Statement

STEP 2: IMITATION
Write an imitation of the poem that you have selected. To undertake an imitation, you must pay
particular attention to the poetic elements of the original poem. What poetic techniques does the poet
employ? In other words, if the original poem opens with a metaphor, your imitation will open with a
metaphor. If the line unit is created using a particular syllable count or particular meter, your imitation
poem should do the same. Remember that you are imitating the poetic techniques in the poem even
though the subject matter may be different.
STEP 3: STATEMENT OF TECHNIQUES/A SUMMARY
Write a brief statement (approximately 2 pages) in which you explain how you approached the
imitation. Be specific about which techniques you recognized in the original and how you imitated
them. This is a place where I am looking at your proficiency in utilizing the terms of poetry.
STEP 4: EXPLICATION
You will write a 3-4 page explication of the poem (6-8 for graduate students). I suspect that your
explications will tend to run on the longer side by virtue of the depth of the task itself. Please see the
links provided on Canvas for general guidelines and samples of explications. Remember, as with the
imitation summary, this is a place where I am looking at your proficiency in utilizing the terms of poetry.

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