The Group Presentation Assignment

In a group of three or four people, make a 20-25 minute presentation on a significant English-language poet from the course list. Include at least all the following attributes in your group presentation:

1. At the Class Before You Present, pass out copies of all the poems your group will address (40).

2. Present (a) a personal biography, and (b) a literary biography of your poet.

3. Present full-voiced readings of two representative poems or excerpts (PB approval req’d.).

4. Present a brief, thoughtful analysis of each poem.

5. Present a full-voiced reading of at least one companion piece by an influential contemporary.

6. Briefly analyze the companion poem; explain why you chose it; and discuss the literary era (e.g., the Enlightenment, Romanticism, Modernism) of your main poet and his/her influences.

PowerPoint helps with these talks; however, do not overlook the power of posters, handouts, costumes, music, and other features that may enhance the class’s appreciation of the literary and social context from which your poet emerges. A grading rubric will follow.

An important consideration to keep in mind is that you and your teammates are responsible, in large measure, for preparing the class in this poet and his or her era. People’s success on the AP Exam can suffer or thrive, depending on the strength of what your group says and does.