Guidelines for responses.

 (~1 double-spaced page of constructive comments per poem. Use the questions below to shape your response. Bring 2 copies to class.)

*What do you like best about this poem?

*Does it “produce a little magic,” in the words of the PC? Do you have any advice?

*Can you identify any extraneous language in the poem—words or phrases that seem stiff, clunky, decidedly unpoetic? Words or lines that could be cut, or replaced with more vivid language?

*Are there places where you’d like to see more detail, greater specificity?

*Do you think this poem effectively appeals to one or more of the senses?

*Does the poem ever spell out its meaning too overtly, rather than letting the images convey the meaning?

*Does the poem seem to end in the right place, on the right note? Or does it draw itself out longer than necessary, perhaps ultimately deflating its impact? Or, alternatively, do you think the poet should expand, keep going, keep exploring the potential of this idea?

*Is there anything you want to add—some aspect of your response to this poem that the questions haven’t elicited?