Poetic Analysis 1:

A quick review!

What are the three thinking steps?

1. READ2. DECIDE3. IDENTIFY

What are the three writing steps?

1. POINT2. EVIDENCE3. EXPLANATION

In the poem, “Still I Rise,” Maya Angelou uses similes to show her reader that no matter what anyone tries to do to her, nothing will ever keep her down. For example, the simile in line 4, “But still, like dust, I’ll rise” shows how Ms. Angelou can be stamped upon but will still rise up. She also uses similes in lines 7 and 8“’Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells / Pumping in my living room” and 19 and 20 when she says, “’Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines / Diggin’ in my own backyard” to show how people may see her one way, but she knows she’s still happy with her life. By using such strong similes, Ms. Angelou shows just how strong and resilient she actually is. Just as wealth springs for those who own gold and oil, Ms. Angelou shows her inner spirit makes her just as rich. Finally, the humor and sense of joy that Ms. Angelou uses in her writing elicits the same feelings of humor and joy in her readers. It is as if anyone could be motivated to have the same sense of strength she does!

P.E.E paragraph review:Point

Evidence

Explanation

Gallery Walk!Walk around the room reading other peoples’

paragraphs. What do you notice about their topic sentence? Do you see:

The poem’s name?The poet’s name?One poetic device mentioned?The meaning/purpose of the poem?

Is their evidence clearly written and directly related to their point?

Is their explanation understandable? Does it reflect what they think and tie their evidence and point together?

Do you see any I THINK / I BELIEVE / I AM GOING TO WRITE ABOUT language?

Poetic Analysis 2:

Writing a second (or third)

paragraph!

I think that...

I am going to write about…

I believe that…

NEVER!

Creating Paragraph #2: Same format, different idea! Follow the same steps for your previous PEE

paragraph Remember, only ONE poetic device per paragraph!

Thinking Steps:1. Read (x3!)2. Decide what the poet is

telling you3. Identify how and where

the poet uses poetic devices to show their meaning.

Writing Steps:1. Point

1. Topic Sentence

2. Evidence1. Quotes to support your

point

3. Explanation1. What it all means to you

Let’s look at an example…

Still I Rise By Maya Angelou

You may write me down in historyWith your bitter, twisted lies,You may trod me in the very dirtBut still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?Why are you beset with gloom?'Cause I walk like I've got oil wellsPumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,With the certainty of tides,Just like hopes springing high,Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?Bowed head and lowered eyes?Shoulders falling down like teardrops.Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?Don't you take it awful hard'Cause I laugh like I've got gold minesDiggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,You may cut me with your eyes,You may kill me with your hatefulness,But still, like air, I'll rise.

Out of the huts of history's shameI riseUp from a past that's rooted in painI riseI'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fearI riseInto a daybreak that's wondrously clearI riseBringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,I am the dream and the hope of the slave.I riseI riseI rise.

Repetition Rhyme Rhyme

Scheme Simile Symbolism Imagery Hyperbole Metaphor

Paragraph #2In addition to similes, Ms. Angelou also uses repetition

to show how she will continue to persevere against her oppressors. For example, the words, “I rise” are increasingly repeated throughout the poem (lines 4, 12, 24, 30, 32, 36, 38, 41, 42, and 43). The poet does this to show us how she continually rises up and overcomes her oppressors, no matter how much they try to keep her down. In fact, the more they try to keep her down, the more she will remember who she is and where she comes from. As she does this, she gets the strength to continue to rise up more and more. This is particularly important because—as previously discussed—although her use of similes give the reader a sense of humor and joy in the poet’s journey, this repetition shows us that this is not an easy path to have to walk. However, she will continue to walk it, no matter what!

Your turn!

Creating Paragraph #2: Same format, different idea! Follow the same steps for your previous PEE

paragraph Remember, only ONE poetic device per paragraph!

Thinking Steps:1. Read (x3!)2. Decide what the poet is

telling you3. Identify how and where

the poet uses poetic devices to show their meaning.

Writing Steps:1. Point

1. Topic Sentence

2. Evidence1. Quotes to support your

point

3. Explanation1. What it all means to you

Let’s look at an example…