The format I chose for this assignment is an essay style. I think I can best use this format to demonstrate a deep analysis of the poem I choose by writing down the comparisons, alliterations, similes, even metaphors that may be integrated into the poem. This can also include an analysis of my own feelings towards the poem and what it means to me. Also, I may be able to find similarities in my life that I have gone through to those depicted in the poem. Honestly, I don’t think there is anything unique about an essay format since we use it in everyday life mainly college. In most English classes, the professor demands an essay format that is essential for students to learn and be able to write. Some questions I have about this type of format is; how many paragraphs should I write? what should each paragraph be about? Also, what would be the general or main idea of my entire essay because that is the main component in an essay. However, on the other hand I am very excited to conduct my first ever deep analysis of a spoken word piece. I have never had an assignment like this before so it is something I’m looking forward to and want to learn more about. This is a very intriguing assignment. About the poems themselves I don’t think I have any specific questions since the discussions we have had in class have been really good to me. I have more understanding of the poems. I think the one poem that made me a bit confused would be Jonathon Mendoza’s “Brown Boy, White Boy,” the way its worded with repetition of white boy and brown boy, I wouldn’t know who is talking about who or who is speaking at the moment during the poem. Some rhetorical choices that these authors made were hand gestures depicting what they are speaking. The authors made the choice of raising their voices in parts of the poem where they wanted people to hear and interpret those words said. There were facial expressions of anger, gloomy, and even where they are choking on their words. The impact of these rhetorical choices made the poems stand out, more powerful, and it really made you feel what they felt. It’s like you felt their frustration, anger, concern, sadness, even a hint of happiness in some parts.
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Sujey,
What important observations you’re making! It would be so interesting if you continue along the path you’ve started here; using an analysis of Mendoza’s visual rhetoric to enhance your analysis of his verbal rhetoric, and vice versa. How do his visual rhetorical choices change, enhance, or cancel out his words at different points in the poem? I’m really excited by where you can go with this!
In terms of length, I’d say about 1,000 words — with standard format, that’s about 4 pages, double spaced, Times New Roman. As for what the paragraphs are each about, that’s up to you and what you decide you want to focus on. What do *you* want your main focus to be in the piece? It’s up to you; you can really take this in so many different directions. I know that can be overwhelming, so please feel free to let me know if you want to talk it through by either commenting back on this site or emailing me.
I’m excited to see where you take this!!
JP
Brown Boy, White Boy was a strong poet to me because I able to relate to his words. As I said in class, the part of the poem that I felt affected into who I am and where I stand in this modern world, was the part he said, ” Brown boy is welcomed, Brown boy is not welcomed, brown boy hand is torn apart.” As a female Yemeni Muslim coming from strict culture and ongoing traditions: I know how this person felt about being biracial because I grow up in Yemen but I more independent than a Yemeni female.