In Flanders Fields Written in by John Mc

“In Flanders Fields” Written in by John Mc. Crae (1915) After witnessing the carnage of WWI John Mc. Crae wrote "In Flanders Fields. " Mc. Crae, a Canadian, was a medical officer in the Boer War and World War I

In Flanders Fields • In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. • We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. • Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

Annotating a Poem 1. Initial reading of the poem. Write any questions that pop into your head while doing the initial reading. 2. Identify any words that you do not understand look them up. Write the definitions on the poem. 3. Discover and mark rhyme scheme using a new letter for each end rhyme within the poem. 4. Count the amount of syllables in each line and mark the number at the end of the line. 5. Identify figurative language used within the poem. Think about the literal meaning of each figurative device. 6. Identify sound devices such as alliteration, assonance, and consonance. How does it impact the text? 7. Identify text that is repeated. Is there any reason the author would repeat the text? 8. Look closely at punctuation. Does it reveal anything about the speaker of the poem? (Example: Does it make them seem rambling, confident, nervous? ) 9. Circle any words that are impactful or interesting. Determine connotative meaning. Are their any patterns? What does it reveal about the speaker’s attitude towards the topic? 10. Reread the poem. If you are still having a hard time understanding the poem, repeat the annotation process!

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow. My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year. He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound's the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake. The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep.

Questions you should be able to answer after annotating a poem: 1. What is theme of the poem? 2. What kind of strategies does the author use to point out theme? 3. What is the mood of the poem? 4. What kind of strategies does the author use to make the mood clear? 5. How does the figurative language impact the poem as a whole? 6. How does the punctuation/number of syllables/ rhyme scheme impact the poem as a whole?

Write the Poetry Analysis • Once the annotations are complete, it’s time to write the analysis. An analysis consists of facts and commentaries. It is not a summary, a listing of facts, or random, unsubstantiated conjecture. Use the following outline :

I. Topic sentence stating the title of the poem, the author, and the poem’s theme. A. Evidence #1: Identify an important line, poetic device, rhyme scheme, etc. – Analysis/Interpretation #1: Explain how the evidence supports the designated theme. – Analysis/Interpretation #2: Explain how the evidence supports the designated theme.

B. Evidence #2: Identify an important line, poetic devices, rhyme scheme. – Analysis/Interpretation #1: Explain how the evidence supports the designated theme. – Analysis/Interpretation #2: Explain how the evidence supports the designated theme. C. Concluding Sentence