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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. "Cut-and-Shuffle" encourages:

2. Another term for this method is:

3. What requires explanation and exploration?

4. "Twenty Little Poetry Projects" offers what item to students?

5. Students are encouraged to use unusual words through which method?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is an "imitative fallacy?" How is it used in poetry and by whom?

2. Name two exercises that give students ideas on how to jump start or rewrite a poem that is not working in its present state.

3. Explain the difference between factual and psychological truths.

4. Why is rewriting a poem in formal verse a good antidote for a flawed free verse poem?

5. What is the purpose of the exercises in "Cut and Shuffle?" What technique is used?

6. What is a nesting rhyme? How does it compare to a diminishing rhyme? Explain the technique.

7. What is the purpose of cutting up magazines in Waldman's exercise "Collaborative Cut up?"

8. What is the purpose of "Block, Pillar, Slab, and Beam?"

9. How does the exercise on sonnets create a friendly forum and technique for students?

10. How important is it for students to choose a simple object for a Definition Poem?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the processes and steps involved in the section titled "Five Easy Pieces." Explain each of the seven steps in the exercise and why it each is important as a stand alone and as a contribution to the whole work. Would the poem work without one of the steps? If so, which one? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

"The Short Narrative Poem" instructs a student about the art of writing a sonnet with some of the restrictions removed. Explain the procedure. Also make a list of each of the formal formats throughout the book and give an example of each.

(see the answer keys)

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