What message is the writer trying to give to the person or group to which she is writing? Have you ever had to give a similar message to someone? If so, when?.To whom do you think the poem is directed? Highlight or underline words and phrases that support your answers and share them with your partner.Have you ever felt that way about yourself? If so, share with your partner what makes you feel that way. How does the speaker/narrator seem to feel about herself? Draw a face that represents that emotion (e.g., a smiley face, sad face or angry face) next to a word phrase that exhibits it.Who do you think the speaker/narrator of the poem is? Is it a person? A cultural group? Highlight or underline words or phrases that help you identify the speaker/narrator.Have them discuss the following questions: “What emotions do you hear in your partner’s interpretation? Did you read the poem in a similar manner or differently?”Īsk students to annotate the poem with their partner using the following questions: Ask students to pair up with a partner and take turns reading the poem aloud while a partner listens. Your interpretation may be dependent on your own cultural identity, experiences and knowledge, and it may be different than the interpretation of your classmates.” Explain that poems are often best interpreted by first reading them aloud.
#MAYA ANGELOU POEMS INSPIRATIONAL FREE#
Tell them, “Readers are free to develop their own interpretations. Explain to students that although we know the author of “Still I Rise” is Maya Angelou, the speaker, audience and topic of the poem are less clear. Once all groups have presented, ask students to combine with another group and draw conclusions about how the imagery in the poem contributes to the poem’s overall message.Ĥ. Encourage other groups to add to the interpretation. Tell students that when they are finished, they will present their group’s interpretation of their stanza to the rest of the class. For example, the sun-an element of nature that continues to rise despite any other circumstances-in stanza three might represent African Americans’ resilience in the face of racism and discrimination or Maya Angelou’s resiliency despite a difficult childhood. Using the Images of “Still I Rise” activity sheet, ask students to list each example of imagery in the stanza, the type of imagery used, and what they believe the element of imagery represents in the poem’s theme. Have each group select one of the poem’s stanzas to analyze. (Note: Either print the poem out or give the class access online.) Students working with the printed text can use a highlighter to identify examples of imagery in the poem.ģ.
Have students read “Still I Rise” in its entirety. Before reading the poem, define or review definitions for the following elements of imagery: personification, metaphor, simile, onomatopoeia and hyperbole. Give the class a brief introduction to Maya Angelou (see Lesson Overview, above), then explain that examining her masterful use of imagery throughout the poem “Still I Rise” can help them understand and interpret the poem’s theme and message. Tell students that authors often use imagery to create comparisons between literal and figurative elements, add depth and understanding to a literary piece, and evoke a more meaningful experience for the reader. Literal (adjective) the actual meaning of a wordġ. Imagery (noun) words that create images in people’s minds Maya Angelou poem, even if it’s not listed here.Adversity (noun) a state of continued difficultiesįigurative (adjective) not literal represented by a figure of speech Click continue and comment to let us know your favorite Dr. If we could include all of them, we would.
We’ve collected 19 of her revered poems for you to read. Maya Angelou in our thoughts and use every opportunity to stand on her shoulders. Mama Maya showed women that it was indeed possible to not only have it all, but give even more back to society. She also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011. Angelou was not confined to the title of poet, but also wore the hats of professor, Calypso dancer, film director, Tony-nominated performer, as well as an official with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
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