As a part of the group presentation on your poet research, each person in your group will prepare an oral interpretation of one poem. If the poems are short and your group has time within the limited twenty minutes for the presentation, you may read more than one. Remember: This is an interpretation, not merely a reading.

1. Select a poem. Choose one you like, but choose it also because it has merit or because it particularly exemplifies a point your group is making about the poet.
2. Study the poem to analyze speaker, audience, structure and so on. Your text (549-551; 564-5) provides some excellent suggestions here.
3. Practice reading the poem aloud to interpret it orally for your audience. (This also helps you hear yourself reading. You do not want to first "hear" yourself in class.)
4. Prepare a brief introduction. This must include the title. Then consider such information as circumstances involved in and around the poem, an issue at the heart of the poem, a personal response to the poem, how the poem is (or is not) typical of the poet’s work, and so on. Your introduction should set a tone for the reading and prepare the audience for what they are to hear. But your introduction must also be part of the coherence of your overall presentation.

1. Type your introduction and your poem. Double space it. Feel free to make notes on your copy to remind you of pauses, tone changes, pacing or other relevant material.
2. Use a slick for your typed copy. This will give you a professional look.
3. Use appropriate stance to assure effective presentation. Stand in one place. While you may use some upper body movement, this is not meant to be a movement activity.
4. Use eye contact to connect with your audience and to communicate effectively with them.
5. Speak clearly and distinctly. Try not to rush your presentation. Let your audience experience the same emotions you experiences when you chose and studied this poem.
6. Pause when you complete your reading. Let the words sink in. Do not "run off stage: immediately.

This is an individual scoring within the overall group presentation on the poet. Evaluation will be based upon the following:

1. Introduction is useful and sets an appropriate tone for the reading.
2. Reading is clear and appropriately paced. The text is effectively interpreted.
3. Overall presentation is effective.