Say, Mean, Matter Goal: to use a framework as a tool to help develop and improve analysis and critical thinking skills

Analyzing your own writing… “Where I’m From” poems

SAY What does the text say? For this piece of writing pull a line from your “Where I’m From” poem. Pull any line that may need decoding, isn’t too literal, or sounds beautiful. Write down this line on a piece of notebook paper.

MEAN What does this line mean? What do specific words mean? Explain the context of the line. Analyze any literary devices you used – alliteration, onomatopoeia, etc. You should be able to pick apart and find multiple or deeper meaning beyond the literal in the line you’ve chosen. If you can’t, then perhaps you can revise the line to make it more poetic.

MATTER Why does the line matter? Text-to-Text Text-to-World Does this line connect to other texts (movies, novels, etc.)? Does this connection add more meaning to the line? What meaning does it add? Why is this important? Text-to-World Does this line connect to some universal theme or aspect of the human experience? Does it comment on society, race, gender, class, etc.?

Postcards of Meaningful Lines On the postcard size paper provided, please write down the meaningful line you’ve chosen from your poem. The line should begin with “I am from…” Write it out neatly, and illustrate the card in a way that adds meaning to your line. Put your name on the back of the card. We will display these in the classroom.