新世纪英语专业综合教程(第二版)第3册 Unit6

Audiovisual Supplement
Cultural Background
2. Classification Three major genres: • Epic poetry: a long story about brave actions and exciting events; • Lyric poetry: more personal, shorter poems intended to be sung; • Dramatic poetry: comedy and tragedy as subgenres.
Text Analysis
Structural Analysis
Rhetorical Features
Modern life is more about material and tangible goods than about spirit pursuit. We set clear targets for our future, neglecting that we are gradually losing one joy that human kind usually have: the fun of spontaneity. The writer of this essay reminds us that poetry, especially creating poems, can provide us such pleasure. Though the writer of this essay writes in a half-mocking tone, and the method he introduces will not ensure us to create a wonderful, or even presentable poem, his real purpose is to make the creation of a poem less difficult than we may imagine and to induce amateurs to set their first steps on their journey to a more aesthetic life.
Text Analysis
Structural Analysis
Rhetorical Features
1. In terms of organization, the article clearly falls into three main parts:
Paragraphs 1-3 Main idea The first part introduces the problem with poetry and the significance of the writer’s solution. The second part introduces in detail how people can create a poem of their own. The third part serves as the ending of the essay. In this part, the writer reiterates his intention and makes it clear he is just joking by presenting such a method of creating a poem.
Audiovisual Supplement
Cultural Information
the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse.
Audiovisual Supplement
Cultural Background
1. History of Poetry • Some of the earliest poetry is believed to have been orally recited or sung, closely related to musical traditions, and much of it can be attributed to religious movements: rhythm, rhyme, compression, intensity of feeling, the use of refrains. • Following the development of writing, poetry has since developed into increasingly structured forms.
Yes, they are all inspired by Mr. Keating’s speech about the meaning of poetry.
Audiovisual Supplement
Cultural Information
Audiovisual Supplement
Cultural Information
• Written composition meant poets began to compose for an absent reader.
Audiovisual Supplement
Cultural Background
• Much poetry since the late 20th century has moved away from traditional forms towards the more vaguely defined free verse and prose poem formats.
Watch the video clip and answer the following questions. 1. Why should students of all majors study poetry?
Because poetry has universal value. It stands for human passion and love and these are what we are living for. 2. Are the students’ expressions changing when they are listening to Mr. Keating’s words?
From Dead Poet’s Society Mr. Keating: Keep ripping gentlemen. This is a battle, a war. And the casualties could be your hearts and souls. Thank you Mr. Dalton. Armies of academics going forward, measuring poetry. No, we will not have that here. No more of Mr. J. Evans Pritchard. Now in my class you will learn to think for yourselves again. You will learn to savor words and language. No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world. I see that look in Mr. Pitt’s eye, like nineteenth century literature has nothing to do with going to business school or medical school. Right? Maybe. Mr. Hopkins, you may agree with him, thinking ―Yes, we should simply study our Mr. Pritchard and learn our rhyme and meter and go quietly about the
Unit 6 Unit 6
How to Write a Rotten Poem with Almost No Effort How to Write a Rotten Poem with Almost No Effort
Audiovisual Supplement
Cultural Information

4-9 10-12
Text Analysis
Structural Analysis
Rhetorical Features
2. The mocking tone of the author is mingled with some fairly emotional statements which reveal his real love of poetry, e.g. ―Once a person has written a poem, of whatever quality, he will feel comradeship with fellow poets and, hopefully, read their works. Ideally, there would evolve a veritable society of poet-citizens, which would elevate the quality of life worldwide. Not only that, good poets could make a living for a change.‖ (Paragraph 3) ―But at least it’s a poem and you’ve written it, which is an accomplishment that relatively few people can claim.‖ (Paragraph 10)