End of Semester Survival Guide

Here's a list of the assignments and things to do to wrap up our course:

1. Essay #3: Analysis of poem(s) in the context of their medium. Final printed draft due the last day of class: November 28.

• As promised, here is a description of a creative option: You may produce a poetic performance, audio recording, or electronic version of a poem you have written. This must be accompanied by a short essay (4-6) pages in which you discuss how the medium shapes the work in meaningful ways, touching on elements of textual and new media writing theories that support your discussion.
• Suggestions for works to analyze:
• Sound recordings: Dylan Thomas, sound poetry available at Ubu Web, performance poetry pieces or albums, rap songs or albums, other spoken word performances.
• Video recordings: performance poems at YouTube, Google Video, or other video hosting services, Def Poetry Jam performances or episodes, live poetry readings (record audio or video as evidence).
• Electronic poetry: Poem(s) found in Poems that Go, the Electronic Literature Organization Directory, the Electronic Poetry Center, or the Electronic Literature Collection.
• Research keywords: electronic poetry, digital poetry, Matthew Kirschenbaum, N. Katherine Hayles, Jerome McGann, Johanna Drucker, Marjorie Perloff, Marshall McLuhan.
• Resources: Ubu Web, Electronic Book Review, Electronic Literature Organization, and your professor Flores and his collection of books on the subject.
  
• E-mail me a proposal by November 21.

2. Self Evaluation of Assignments and Presentations. Due on Friday, November 30 by 4:15 pm at the English Department.

• Write a 1-page evaluation of your work this semester on assignments and presentations.
• Use the blog archives as a reference for what was required on each class.
• Provide whatever evidence you have and describe the work you don't have evidence for.

3. Final presentations on one of the essays you wrote for this class (you choose):

• Presentations should last no longer than 10 minutes.
• Your presentation will be evaluated according to the following criteria: conciseness, clarity, and time-management.
  
• The dates for sign up are the following:
• Wednesday, November 18 (aka "last day of class") - 10 presentations: Ahiesha, Lidsay, and Maria will present on this date, leaving 7 spots available.
• Tuesday, December 11 (aka "day of the final") - 9 presentations = 9 spots available.
• Sign up for the presentations by replying to this posting with the date of your presentation.
• The spots will be filled on a first-come first serve basis. When one of the two dates is filled, the rest of the people will go on the other date.

4. Bring me your graded copy of Essay #1 on the last day of class. I need to check grades in my roster.

Please contact me if you have any questions.