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=Welcome to //Last Gasps// the American Studies Poetry Discussion Forum= From these pages, students in the combined American Studies classes will have an opportunity to read, discuss, and analyze poetry and poets in the Civil Rights vein. In this forum, students are expected to conduct //civil// discussion regarding the poems in this space. All of these poems, to some degree, reflect the theme of civil rights. The rooting out of injustice, the celebration of diverse cultures, and the desire for freedom from oppression are all issues explored in the work of a poet writing on civil rights. In discussing these works, we ask that you keep an eye toward the sort of analysis that keeps these themes in mind. Although various responses are acceptable, regarding these poems in a "civil rights" light is our intent.

Instructions
> analysis of a //different// poem. You are also strongly encouraged to respond with students from the opposing American Studies sections. If you are with Mrs. Taylor, then respond to a Mr. Arguelles' student, and vice versa.
 * From the links on the left, choose a poem that resonates with you.
 * Read the poem, preferrably twice or more, and let it marinate.
 * Once you're satisfied with your contemplation of the poem, write a 3-5 sentence reader-response to the text. Your response should include a //text-based// analysis in which you clearly refer to some aspect of the poem.
 * Finally, having contributed to the communal discussion of a poem of your choice, your task is to respond to someone else's

Self-Assessment

 * Your self-assessment will be tabulated on a Google form. Simply follow the link below and complete all fields on that document.
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