Writing Strategy Biopoem The Color Purple By Alice Walker Rationale: The Biopoem was developed by teachers to help writers synthesize their learning about a subject, person, place, thing, concept, or event. The Biopoem is ordinarily designed for more beginning writers but can be expanded into a bigger project that involves higher-level thinking and writing. This assignment would be best introduced and assigned right shortly after completion of the novel in order to deepen understanding while the novel is fresh in mind. An explanation of the Biopoem is provided below. Audience: The students will have an opportunity to share their rough drafts and completed projects with each other. Therefore, they should be aware of the teacher and peers as possible audience members. Process: Day One: Students will complete the Biopoem sheet provided in class; students will review the elements of poetry (rhythm and meter, tone and musical devices, and figurative language) and be given the assignment to expand their poems by including the elements of poetry and breaking from the formal setting of the Biopoem. Day Two: Students will come with an expanded version of the Biopoem; students will peer edit, using the rubric outline for specifics in editing. For the final draft, students will be expected to have included some or all elements of poetry and proficient use of the items on the rubric. Day Three: Students will come with a final draft of their Biopoem; students will complete a self-reflective piece of what they learned more about the character from completing the Biopoem assignment. Assessment: A rubric will be provided on day two that will be adhered to for grading. A sample rubric is provided following the assignment explanation.
Biopoem To complete the Biopoem, students choose one character from The Color Purple. This can be a quite insignificant to a major character. Students will then fill in the missing blanks/replace information below according to their chosen character. Line 1. Line 2. Line 3. Line 4. Line 5. Line 6. Line 7. Line 8. Line 9. Line 10. Line 11. First name Four traits that describe character Relative (brother, sister, daughter, etc.) of Lover of (list three things or people) Who feels (three items) Who needs (three items) Who fears (three items) Who gives (three items) Who would like to see (three items) Resident of Last Name Model Biopoem Celie Young, naïve, impressionable, girl Relative of Nettie Lover of love, nature, and purple flowers Who feels sad, confused, and betrayed Who needs her sister, recognition, and more recognition Who fears her potential, her worth, and her abilities Who gives letters, hugs, and hands Who would like to see change, great change, and greater change Resident of Georgia Unknown last name
Writing Project Poetry and Biopoem The Color Purple Now that you have recently finished the novel The Color Purple, you will do a writing project based on one of the characters in the book. You will choose the character, complete a Biopoem, and expand that into creative poetry, utilizing the elements of poetry and other effective writing elements. This project will encompass three class days. You will receive a rubric on the second day of the project to ensure understanding of expectations from the final draft of your project. Day One: Biopoem To complete the Biopoem, fill in the following information (on a separate sheet of paper) for your character of choice: Line 1. Line 2. Line 3. Line 4. Line 5. Line 6. Line 7. Line 8. Line 9. Line 10. Line 11. First name Four traits that describe character Relative (brother, sister, daughter, etc.) of Lover of (list three things or people) Who feels (three items) Who needs (three items) Who fears (three items) Who gives (three items) Who would like to see (three items) Resident of Last Name Day Two: Having reviewed the elements of poetry and good writing, you will need to come back on this day with a second draft. This draft should be an expanded version of the Biopoem, using the elemets of poetry and your own creativity. It make take on the form of your choice and really you may take it where you want it to go. It must take up at least one page space. This day we will be doing peer editing, using the rubric that will be given out.
Day Three: Having revised your second draft from peer editing and self-editing, you will need to come back on this day with a final draft. Please take into consideration the rubric to fulfill the assignment.
Biopoem Writing Assignment Rubric Appropriate choice of character / 10 Individual freedom of style / 10 Word choice / 20 Rhythm and meter / 20 Tone and musical devices / 20 Figurative language / 20 Total / 100