Revision Assignment 1

The revision of one of your previous short papers is due Thursday, February 18. You must choose the paper with the lower grade, but if you have two papers with the same grade you are allowed to pick which you prefer to revise. Turn in the revision with the previous version of the paper and my comments attached. I want to be able to review your improvement.

(Remember: you also need to read the Baraka poem and compose two thesis statements to also turn in on paper on Thursday!)

This rubric will be used for grading the revision:

REVISION REQUIREMENTS

Each paper should be 3-4 pages long, double spaced in Times 12 point font with standard spacing and margins, and turned in on paper at the beginning of class on Thursday, January 28. Students should follow MLA guidelines on the formatting of their paper and in their citation methods. Papers will be evaluated according to the following criteria, although +/- grades may be present in order to indicate the relative strength of the work within these general categories.

A: This paper addresses the question in a manner that demonstrates a comprehension of the assignment as well as the social and political contexts discussed in class. The thesis is clear and concise, allowing the argument to develop in a structured manner. Additionally, the paper is original as it provides a unique perspective. All MLA guidelines are correct and there are minimal technical problems. Extensive revisions have been noted. The student has incorporated the instructor's comments on both argument and style as well as continued to improve the paper beyond the immediate suggestions provided.

B: This paper completes the basic requirements of the assignment, follows MLA guidelines, and is generally clear and concise. It does, however, need to improve in one or a few of the following areas: organization, argument development, or mechanics. The student has incorporated the instructor's comments on both argument and style, but has not continued to further develop the paper.

C: This paper answers the question of the assignment, but lacks useful citation from the primary text and contains an underdeveloped thesis statement. MLA citations may be incorrect, and/or other technical problems may be present. The student has begun to incorporate the instructor's comments, but may have only considered stylistic revisions or argument suggestions and not both. Additional development is not seen.

D: This paper does not complete the requirements of the assignment. The student has not taken suggestions under consideration and has turned in a paper with the same or additional mistakes.

Amiri Baraka

Read "Somebody Blew Up America" here and print it off to bring as a hard copy to class on Thursday. Then, browse Baraka's website and watch the recording of this poem.

Bring two thesis statements to class on Thursday for your participation credit. Both should be on Amiri Baraka and will be used to prompt discussion. You may include ideas derived from either the print or recorded versions of the poem. These will be turned in at the end of class, so make sure they are typed.

Yusef Komunyakaa

Read these poems from your Komunyakaa book for Tuesday. Supplemental links to help contextualize some of the poems are listed below their titles. Reviewing this material is necessary for you to be fully prepared.

"How I See Things"

The Beatles' "Strawberry Fields Forever"


Across the Universe adaptation of "Strawberry Fields Forever"


"1984"

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis


Skim The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

Trailer for Dr. Strangelove


"You and I Are Disappearing"

Photo from My Lai Massacre

"Report from the Skull's Diorama"

MLK Jr. Explaining why he is against the Vietnam War

Yusef Komunyakaa supplement

Here are a few videos of Yusef Komunyakaa.

Reading "Anodyne"


Giving the Helen Edison Lecture
(Warning: this is long, but great if you're interested in him as a poet)

Ishmael Reed

One of the people Ishmael Reed is inspired by is a Beat-era poet and artist named Ted Joans.



Read a description of Ted Joans and view a gallery of work inspired by working with him by Laura Corsiglia. Then see selections and a description of a gallery at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City inspired by both Reed and Joans.

If you want to browse Konch, Ishmael Reed's online magazine, see it here.

Lucille Clifton at Emory

Lucille Clifton papers fully processed and available for research

See Lucille Clifton's work at Emory in the Manuscript and Rare Book Library on the 10th floor of Woodruff Library!

Lucille Clifton

Watch Lucille Clifton read her famous poem "homage to my hips":



You'll read "homage to my hips," "malcolm," and "lost baby poem" for Tuesday.

The packet in the copy room also includes your reading for Thursday - Ishmael Reed's "I am a cowboy in the boat of Ra." Please read the biographical information provided.