ELA 30-1

Miss Isherwood
Adapted from: lindsaythurber.rdpsd.ab.ca/.../ Found%20Poem%20Marking%20Rubric

Shakespeare Project: Found Poetry

Immature poets imitate. Mature poets steal.
-T.S. Eliot

Found poems take existing texts and refashion them, reorder them, and present them
as poems. The literary equivalent of a collage, found poetry is often made from
newspaper articles, street signs, graffiti, speeches, letters, or even other poems.

Using a page from one of William Shakespeares many plays, you will create a found
poem as described above. Your goal is to gain confidence in your ability to interact
with, and understand, Shakespearean language. Additionally, you will be challenged to
express yourself through this language.

Instructions
1) Choose a book page.
2) Read the page several times to understand the original meaning of the text.
3) Using a pencil, lightly underline interesting words, phrases, and/or sentences.
Look for patterns of meaning that jump out at you, and consider literary
devices, such as symbolism.
4) Re-read and revise until you have created a poem with a unifying mood and
theme. Read your poem aloud and consider rhythm and flow. The meaning
should be separate from that of the original text.
5) Give your poem a meaningful title.
6) Decide how you will block your found poem. You may use markers,
highlighters, whiteout, or another material. Decide whether you would like to use
bubbles, arrows, and/or lines to connect your words, phrases, and/or sentences.
Use Google images for inspiration. Be creative!
7) Mount or frame your poem on thick paper.
8) Practice reading your poem. Use your voice to instill mood and meaning by
modulating speed, tone, and volume.
9) Present your poem to Miss Isherwood during Iplan on __________________


I look forward to hearing and reading many honest, thoughtful, and illuminating poems.
As always, if you need help, please ask!






ELA 30-1
Miss Isherwood
Adapted from: lindsaythurber.rdpsd.ab.ca/.../ Found%20Poem%20Marking%20Rubric
Found Poem Marking Rubric Name:

Written

The poem is effectively written around a
central mood/tone/theme, separate from the original
meaning of the text /10

The creator has thoughtfully chosen words,
phrases, and/or sentences from the original
text to develop the poem /5

The poem has an original title that incorporates the central
mood/tone/theme of the piece
/2


Visual/Presentation

The poems physical structure and appearance
contribute to the overall meaning of the piece,
/5

The poem is visually appealing on the page; care
and effort are evident /3


The creator reads his/her poem clearly with an effective use
of tone to communicate mood and meaning /5



Total /30

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