Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Day Seven: Writing an Ode

Yesterday, after consulting our notes from Smell-a-Rama and looking at some odes, we tried drafting one of our own. Smell-a-Rama and links to Pablo Neruda were posted here on March 10.We started with a pre-writing strategy. Then I provided some guidelines and we all had some writing time. After that we decided that we would wait a bit before tackling revision. I will include some guidelines for revision in this post.

Prewriting guidelines:

  • Choose one of the objects from your notes (lemon, thyme, etc.)
  • Consider and possibly jot down notes or turn and talk with a partner:
  1. Why did you choose this object?
  2. What do you like about it?
  3. Where did it come from; what has it experienced?
  4. Does it remind you of anything; what memory does it spark? 
  5. What does it mean to you?

Drafting guidelines:

  • Odes are poems of address and celebration; talk to what you are celebrating -- Oh, you, you are like, without you, etc. (These can be made into a template.)
  • Tap all five senses
  • Describe inside and out
  • Balance feelings and emotions with description
  • Exaggerate its admirable qualities

Revision considerations:

  • Not happy; nothing you like: try a macro revision. Choose a different subject, beyond the Smell-a-Rama.
  • Add simile, metaphor, hyperbole, or personification
  • Keep it "skinny," 2-5 words per line
  • Choose vivid words; language that is packed with meaning
  • Editing: punctuate like you would for sentences

Reading related to our discussions:










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