Mastering Poetic Fluency: Reciting with Confidence
Students will be able to recite a poem with fluency, correct intonation, pauses, pronunciation, and
increased confidence. SELECT A POEM FROM THE LIST *If you want to make any adjustments, simply
keep the length of the exhibited poem.
Key Points:
Understanding the importance of correct intonation and pauses in poetry recitation
Practicing pronunciation of challenging words in the chosen poem
Building confidence through repeated recitation
Using expression and tone to enhance the delivery of the poem
PRACTICE by recording yourself reciting the poem and self-assessing your performance based on key
criteria.
Evaluation Criteria:
➢ Physical Presence
➢ Voice and Articulation
➢ Interpretation
➢ Evidence of Understanding
➢ Overall Performance
➢ Accuracy
USE THE FOLLOWING ONLINE RESOURCES for further explanation.
[Link]
POEM 1
Life is like a book Don't read too fast
Written by Selvin Acknowledge the acknowledgments
‘Ewan’ McRae Good friendship will last
Life is like an open book Get ready for tomorrow
Can't predict the future
Got to read between the lines What you reap is what you sow
Absorbing the culture Don't assume to make sure to know
Erase dark memories,
Get ready for tomorrow Cherish those that glow
Life is love Get ready for tomorrow
Love can become hate
Hate can become sorrow
Review your past
Get ready for tomorrow
Flip the pages, turn the chapters
Grasp the contents, form your character
Decipher life’s journey and rule your destiny
Get ready for tomorrow
Slowly turn the pages
POEM 2 (Poem for Two Voices)
Each of the two voices takes its turn reciting a line out loud, and occasionally some lines are recited
together by both voices.
The Powers Within
Written by Selvin ‘Ewan’ I could see through the eyes of an eagle
McRae Having multiple visions of the future
I listen to them cheering on the air
The things that life offers appear not to be Unaware of tomorrow’s cruelty; beware
enough at times
Seems as if I can never be satisfied, I realized I’ve entered races I knew I wouldn’t win
Still, I can never change what it has in store for Still yet I’ve created my blueprint
me Make decisions to comfort my interest
I just take one day at a time, letting it be Decisions which sometimes are my hardest
I meet and greet different people on a daily I have a will though that is much stronger than
basis others
Some become friends, while others perfect A spiritual power which allows me to conquer my
strangers fears
Some will stick around for a while Yet some will never understand my ways
While others linger, as a problem child Being human they criticize and try to destroy
I hear and listen to my bits of advice But my powers will be illuminated so bright
I see and I follow good examples Bright enough to identify the fool from the wise
I learn from my mistakes and my mishaps Being able to figure out the hypocrites and their
Imperfectly I try to survive, in this worldly trap lies
All because of my Powers, on the inside
Don't Quit
Edgar Albert Guest POEM 3
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
when the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
when the funds are low and the debts are high,
and you want to smile but you have to sigh,
when care is pressing you down a bit - rest if you must, but don't quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns.
As every one of us sometimes learns.
And many a fellow turns about when he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow - you may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than it seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up when he might have captured the victor's cup;
and he learned too late when the night came down,
how close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out - the silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
and when you never can tell how close you are,
it may be near when it seems afar;
so stick to the fight when you're hardest hit - it's when things seem worse, you must not quit.
Invictus
BY WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY POEM 4
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeoning of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the Shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
AUDIO [Link]
Love (III)
GEORGE HERBERT POEM 5
Love bade me welcome. Yet my soul drew back
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,
If I lacked anything.
A guest, I answered, worthy to be here:
Love said, You shall be he.
I the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear,
I cannot look on thee.
Love took my hand, and smiling replied,
Who made the eyes but I?
Truth Lord, but I have marred them: let my shame
Go where it doth deserve.
And know you not, says Love, who bore the blame?
My dear, then I will serve.
You must sit down, says Love, and taste my meat:
So I did sit and eat.
AUDIO [Link]
