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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the name of the first section?

2. What famous woman is referred to in this section?

3. In Maura Stanton's section, which act is recalled?

4. How many words should students chant?

5. What tool is the student asked to use to create in this section?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are students required to write a serious poem about a tabloid story?

2. Why is it important to teach beginning poets about the use of specific images?

3. Why does Rita Dove choose to use a kitchen as a point of reference for a poem?

4. Why does Dove insist that students use their first drawings for the poetry exercise?

5. Explain the process used in "A Journey to Nowhere" by Susan Snively.

6. What is the purpose of using dream notebooks and existing journal entries?

7. Explain the technique and purpose behind the exercise in "The Widow."

8. Why are tabloids good fodder for poetry?

9. What will students gain by completing the exercise in "First Words?"

10. Explain the technique used in "Who We Were" by Edward Hirsh. What is the expected end result?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"The Short Narrative Poem" instructs a student about the art of writing a sonnet with some of the restrictions removed. Explain the procedure. Also make a list of each of the formal formats throughout the book and give an example of each.

Essay Topic 2

Who is Jackson Mac Low? What is his contribution to "The Practice of Poetry?"

Explain in detail Low's "Make Your Own System." Choose one of the following exercises:

1. Explain the purpose and format of an acrostic. How was the concept derived? How is the poem started? What is the preferred length? Is one limited by length or subject matter? What other items can be found in an acrostic form? Find one of Low's famous acrostics for study.

2. Explain the purpose and format of a daistic. How was the concept derived? How is the poem started? What is the preferred length? Is one limited by length or subject matter? What other items can be found in a daistic form? Find one of Low's famous daistics to use for study.

Essay Topic 3

In "The Widow" students are required to write through the eyes of a woman whose husband has recently drowned. Explain in detail how you would put yourself in the widow's shoes? What techniques might you employ to create a complete and believable character study of the widow? Would your writing experience be easier or more difficult if you had experienced the same tragedy?

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This section contains 702 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample