Thursday, December 10, 2009

How to Get a Good Grade

This week's readwritepoem prompt asked us to write a sex poem--yikes! Inspired by the stacks of papers I will be grading over the next few days, I came up with this. I truly hope none of my students run across this poem. Double-yikes!
A strong, bold thesis
Is key, of course,
But more important
Is what you do with it

Don’t get me wrong
I like a man who
Can start out strong

But can you keep it up?
Can you substantiate
Your big generalization
With the details—
The little touches—
That matter?

In other words,
Do you know your audience?

Have you done your research?
Are you able to do more
Than just hit the same
Point three times
And get out?

Can you hit all of my
Rhetorical sweet spots?
I need more

Than the tired standard:
Your introduction
My body
Your conclusion

No, give me
Elegant syntax
And a willingness
To go beyond the obvious
Again and again
And again and again

Oh, give me
An unexpected finish
That leaves me
Completely satisfied
And eagerly anticipating
Your next piece
Of work.

16 comments:

  1. Delicious! I never saw quite so much in grading papers as this, but you've used the language of that experience to make a fantastic sex poem. Particularly love:

    Elegant syntax
    And a willingness
    To go beyond the obvious
    Again and again
    And again and again

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  2. I like the imaginative idea of using a man's intellect as a metaphor for his virility, though it can also work the other way around. You carry out the idea most effectively with wordplay and double entendres throughout.

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  3. Your expectations of your students seem high
    Miss.Obviously you teach the advanced class
    and are accustomed to top results.High achievers and the talented are your speciality.I presume your program includes
    repetetive practice and discipline with no
    allowance for error.You deserve to reap the rewards from your diligence and earnest focus on your work!

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  4. Oh, how the teacher in you yearns for satisfaction! I hope you aren't giving out grade point averages for those who have the courage to try to meet these expectations. =D The double entendres are funny. Do you provide after school tutoring? I think I would like some of that "elegant syntax". Thanks for sharing this, Erin!

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  5. Great fun, Erin. You must see some stimulating papers!

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  6. Wow! this is so hot it made me blush!

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  7. I have two faves:

    "Have you done your research?
    Are you able to do more
    Than just hit the same
    Point three times
    And get out?"

    and

    "I need more

    Than the tired standard:
    Your introduction
    My body
    Your conclusion"

    Just brilliant!

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  8. It's fun and coded.- irene

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  9. Oh yes, liking this very much!!
    Well done, Erin!

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  10. No, your students shouldn't read this, they'd never be able to read your critique again. I love it, love it, love it.

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  11. So clever, Erin! The things we think of to get through grading papers!

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  12. Brilliant!! You are amazing Erin. xoxo

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  13. Very creative and a nice departure from grading papers!

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  14. I like how you've taken two ideas to create this wonderful poem. Love this poem and your very smart use of words.

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