新世纪高等院校英语专业本科生系列教材 (修订版)(第二版)U6B3

verse
• [U] writing that is arranged来自百度文库in lines, often
with a regular rhythm or pattern of rhyme 诗；韵文 poetry ： • Most of the play is written in verse, but some of it is in prose. • 这剧本大部份是用韵文写的，不过有一些 是用散文。
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.
Detailed Reading
1. What is the solution for this problem suggested by the writer? (Paragraph 3) The solution for this problem suggested by the writer is to make it easy for everyone to write at least one poem in his life. 2. How does the writer justify his solution? (Paragraph 3) The writer thinks this may not only enhance people’s recognition of poets but cultivate a poetry-loving society and elevate the quality of life.
rotten adj.
• • • • • •
•
3 [usually before noun] (informal) dishonest 不诚实的；腐败的 ： The organization is rotten to the core. 这个组织腐败透顶。 a rotten 'apple one bad person who has a bad effect on others in a group 带来恶劣影响的人；害群之马
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.
• 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.
• •
• Much poetry since the late 20th century
has moved away from traditional forms towards the more vaguely defined free verse and prose poem formats.
Unit 6 How to Write a Rotten Poem With almost no Effort
Richard Howey
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. Written composition meant poets began to compose for an absent reader.
squalid adj.
• 1 (of places and living conditions 处所及生活环
• • • •
境) very dirty and unpleasant 肮脏的；邋遢的 filthy ： squalid, overcrowded refugee camps 肮脏而拥挤的难民营 2 (of situations or activities 情况或活动) involving low moral standards or dishonest behaviour 道德败坏的；丑恶的；卑鄙的 sordid ： It was a squalid affair involving bribery and drugs. 那是一桩涉及贿赂与毒品的丑事。
middle ground
• [U] a set of opinions, decisions, etc. that ten or • • • •
more groups who oppose each other can agree on; a position that is not extreme 中间立场；中间观点 ： In the argument everyone has to take sides; there is no middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。 Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground.
Paraphrase:
As a result, serious poets could no longer depend on poetry writing for a living; they have to turn to other profession, and most probably to become a businessman, which is held traditionally diametrically opposite to the profession of literary creation.
vein
• ≠vain • [C] any of the tubes that carry blood from
all parts of the body towards the heart • 静脉 ： • the jugular vein 颈静脉 • ←→ artery
As a result, serious poets either starve or work as account executives. (Paragraph 2)
seek sb/sth out
• to look for and find sb/sth, especially
• • •
pound v.
• OF HEART/ BLOOD 心脏；血液 • [V] to beat quickly and loudly • （心脏）狂跳，怦怦地跳 ： • Her heart was pounding with excitement. • 她激动得心脏怦怦直跳。 • The blood was pounding in his ears. • 他听到血液在耳中怦怦搏动的声音。
Pre-reading questions
• 1. Do you like reading poems? • 2. Have you ever tried to write a
poem? • 3. If YES, do you think it is difficult to write a poem? Where does the difficulty lie? • 4. What kind of poem can be called a good poem? How can we write a good poem?
What does the writer think is the problem with poetry? (Paragraph 2) The problem with poetry is that most people don’t know how to write a poem and there is no market for good poets and poems.
4-9 10-12
rotten adj.
• 1 (of food, wood, etc. 食物、树木等) that has decayed • • • • • • • • • • •
and cannot be eaten or used 腐烂的；腐败的；腐朽的 ： rotten vegetables 腐烂蔬菜的气味 The fruit is starting to go rotten. 水果已经开始腐烂变质了。 2 [usually before noun] (informal) very bad 非常糟糕的；恶劣的 terrible ： I've had a rotten day! 我这一天倒霉透了！ 她是个蹩脚的歌手。 She's a rotten singer.