What are we doing today Ms. Kook? Agenda I.Journal/Attendance II.Announcements III.Figurative Language in Poetry I.New York City and the Harlem Renaissance II.Langston Hughes and “A Dream Deferred” III.Figurative Language: Similes/Metaphors IV. Poem Assignment
Journal #21 What are you future dreams and goals? It could be about anything you like. Guidelines -Please keep it appropriate and respectful -Minimum length is 2 paragraphs
Announcements We are starting a new unit today. Second quarter will be entirely focused on poetry, as we prepare for the poetry festival in February. Yay! First quarter grades have been submitted, so I am no longer accepting late assignments. Football championship game this Friday against the GW Geckos. Go and support our school. Go SHARKS!
Identify this city (New York City Skyline,2013)
New York City What do you know about New York City? What is it about New York City that attracts people? Empire State of Mind (Jay-Z & Keys, 2009). Empire State of Mind What does Jay-Z and Alicia Keys say about New York City? Why would they compare New York City to a “concrete jungle where dreams are made of?”
What other phrases does Jay-Z and Alicia Keys used to describe NYC? “These streets will make you feel brand new” “Big lights will inspire you” “Welcome to the melting pot” “Home of the hip-hop” “Came here for school, graduated to the high life” “No place in the world that could compare” “Welcome to the bright lights”
Now, let’s go way back in time… Jay-Z and Alicia Keys will not be singing about NYC today without the Harlem Renaissance and a significant figure who was very active during the Harlem Renaissance: Langston Hughes Harlem in the 1920s-1930s (Mary Smith, 2011). Harlem in the 1920s-1930s Music from the Harlem Renaissance (tabyjean, 2008). Music from the Harlem Renaissance
Langston Hughes (Langston Hughes, 2006)(Parks, 1943)
Who is Langston Hughes? James Langston Hughes is one of America’s most beloved poets, writers, playwrights, and social activists. Born in February 1902 Hughes was of mixed descent. He was descended from white slaveowners. He was one of the most innovative thinkers behind jazz poetry
“A Dream Deferred” Harlem (New York) inspired Langston Hughes to produce amazing works of poetry. Harlem is where people flocked to in the 1920s to accomplish their dreams. One of his most famous poems is titled “A Dream Deferred” What does deferred mean? – Deferred: Put off to a later time, postpone Langston Hughes talking about dreams (Diggsduke, 2011) Langston Hughes talking about dreams Try to catch what he’s saying and take notes (It’s a short clip, so try to pay attention )
A Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore-- And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over-- like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode? --Langston Hughes Reading of "A Dream Deferred" by Abiola Valentine Reading of "A Dream Deferred" by Abiola Valentine (AbiolaValentine, 2010).
A Dream Deferred What happens to a dream deferred? What does Langston Hughes compare a deferred dream to? (Be specific and write it in your notebooks) Langston Hughes is using similes and metaphors to compare deferred dreams? Similes and metaphors are very commonly used in poetry, and they are both referred to as figurative language in poetry.
Figurative Language Simile (simile, n.d.): a figure of speech comparing two different things using “like” or “as” (examples: She giggled like a baby, The sun looks like a fireball) – What similes are used by Langston Hughes? Metaphor (Nordquist, n.d.): a figure of speech where an implied comparison is made between two unlike things that actually have something in common (examples: Life is a journey, Love is a rose) – What metaphors are used by Langston Hughes?
Let’s go back to Jay-Z and Alicia Keys What metaphors did they use to describe New York City? Did they use any similes? I will replay the video one more. Make note of the the metaphors/similes used.
Let’s come back to Langston Hughes Why does Langston Hughes compare a dream deferred to “like a raisin in the sun?” What does this mean? Why does Langston Hughes compare a dream deferred to “stinks like rotten meat?” What other similes does he use? Why does he use these similes to describe a dream deferred? What kind of figurative language did Jay-Z and Alicia Keys primarily use to describe New York City? What kind of figurative language did Langston Hughes primarily use to describe a dream deferred?
Assessment: Now, it’s your turn! You will be writing a poem about your future dreams and goals. That is the theme of your poem. This assignment is worth 20 points. Refer to today’s journal entry for ideas. It must be ten lines in length (6 points) The poem must contain 2 similes and 2 metaphors. (8 points) The poem must have a title. (4 points) The poem must look presentable, which means the writing must be legible and clean. (2 points) You are welcome to take it home and use your computer to decorate it, but I must see a rough draft today if you are going to take it home.
References AbiolaValentine (2010, March 31). A Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes—read by Abiola Valentine. Retrieved January 26, 2013, from: Diggsduke (2011, June 15). Langston Hughes reads his poem, “Dreams.” Retrieved January 26, 2013, from: Jay-Z, & Keys, A. (2009, October 30). Empire State of Mind. [Video file]. Retrieved from Langston Hughes. [Photograph]. (2006). Retrieved January 26, 2013, from: Mary Smith (2011, Feb 21). Harlem Renaissance in 1920’s. Retrieved January 26, 2013, from: [New York City Skyline]. Retrieved January 26, 2013, from: blue-large.jpghttp://photos.luxurylink.us/images/style/destination/new_york_city_84/new-york-city-skyline- blue-large.jpg Nordquist, R. (n.d.). Metaphor-definitions and examples-figures of speech. Retrieved January 26, 2013, from: Parks, G. (Photographer). (1943). Langston Hughes [Photograph], Retrieved January 26, 2013, from: Simile [Def. 1]. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster Online. In Merriam-Webster. Retrieved January 26, 2013, from: Tabyjean (2008, Feb 24). Minnie the Moocher: the Harlem Renaissance. Retrieved January 26, 2013, from: