Introduction
Emily Dickinson was one of America's greatest poets. She wrote about her personal feelings and beliefs about the time period she lived in. She put very much time, effort, and feeling into her poems, which is what made them so popular. Today you will be exploring her life, examining her poetry, and even getting a chance to create your own poem!
Task
After conducting their own individual research on Emily Dickinson, Students will then split up into groups of two and pick one of the following poems by Dickinson to read through together:
“Success is counted sweetest...”
“ ‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers—...”
“I’m Nobody! Who are you?”
“The Soul selects her own Society—”
“A Bird came down the Walk—...”
“After great pain, a formal feeling comes—...”
“I died for Beauty—but was scarce...”
“I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—...”
“The Brain—is wider than the Sky—”
Before reading your poem, you and your partner must make an assumption about what the poem will be about simply based on the title you have chosen. Then you will read and make your own analysis of the work. You may not use any website to check your work until your original analysis is completed. This should include an evaluation of each line, a theme, tone, possible rhyme schemes, and how the writing corresponds to Emily Dickinson's style, life, or time in life(this last one is optional, but I challenge you to try to think!)
Process
• To begin, the student will individually review the following links to learn more about Emily Dickinson:
https://www.biography.com/people/emily-dickinson-9274190
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/emily-dickinson
• Then, the student will watch this short video on the life of Emily Dickinson. ( Be sure to take notes as needed)
• After their independent research, students will get into their partnerships and begin selecting a poem to analyze. (Be sure to see the list given to you and only pick from that list only)The full poems are all on this website:
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/emily-dickinson#tab-poems
• After you and your partner come up with an original analysis with all the aspects expected from you (refer to the task to see expectations), You and your partner may use the following link to compare your analysis to a professional's.
• Last step is for you and your partner to write a one to two paragraph paper on how your analysis differs and is similar to the one of the professional.
Evaluation
Time to write your OWN poem!
Please take out a clean sheet of loose leaf paper and a pencil.
Based on what you have learned from todays research and activities, I would like you to write your own poem on something important to you in your life. It can be an object, event, person, or even an important personal belief.
Make sure to include a rhyme scheme and write out a theme and specific tone used in your writing.
Do not forget to come up with a clever and interesting title for your work of art! Have fun!
Conclusion
Congratulations!
You have officially completed your Webquest on American Poet Emily Dickinson! I hope you are excited and ready to learn more about famous poets like her, and even become one yourself!