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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which item is not in the list of items?

2. What famous woman is referred to in this section?

3. "One's-Self, En Masse" begins with a quote by which famous poet?

4. The first exercise is directed to examine initial encounters with what item?

5. What are these items called?

Short Essay Questions

1. What type of audience is most suited to the exercise in "The Widow?"

2. Why does Rita Dove ask students to use crayons to draw pictures of their homes?

3. Explain the exercise featured in "Quilting in the Ditch."

4. Why is it important to teach beginning poets about the use of specific images?

5. Why is it important to experience writing in another person's voice?

6. Explore Leslie Ullman's contribution to this section. Why would one argue with oneself?

7. Explain the four abstractions and what students are required to do with them.

8. Why does Rita Dove choose to use a kitchen as a point of reference for a poem?

9. Explain the process used in "A Journey to Nowhere" by Susan Snively.

10. What is the main purpose of "The Things of This World: Image and Metaphor?"

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Who is Jackson Mac Low? What is his contribution to "The Practice of Poetry?"

Explain in detail Low's "Make Your Own System." Choose one of the following exercises:

1. Explain the purpose and format of an acrostic. How was the concept derived? How is the poem started? What is the preferred length? Is one limited by length or subject matter? What other items can be found in an acrostic form? Find one of Low's famous acrostics for study.

2. Explain the purpose and format of a daistic. How was the concept derived? How is the poem started? What is the preferred length? Is one limited by length or subject matter? What other items can be found in a daistic form? Find one of Low's famous daistics to use for study.

Essay Topic 2

In "Estrangement and Reconciliation: The Self has it Out with the Self" Leslie Ullman requires the poet to have a poetic argument with oneself. What is the purpose of the exercise? Choose one of the following:

1. Write a series of poems featuring the two sides of self involved in an ethical dilemma. Be sure to represent each side equally.

2. Write a series of poems from the perspective of a person with a personality disorder, such as multiple personalities.

Essay Topic 3

In the section titled "In a Dark Room: Photography and Revision" students are required to derive a poem from a photographic image. Explain the artistic and psychological connections between the photograph and the poem. How is the character of one transferred to the other? How should one interpret this exercise so that it would be the most effective?

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