THE GRANDE FINALE:Narrowing the Focus On a

Poem• Objective: Learn to tighten the focus of a poem

by focusing on a single image or picture.

• REMEMBER all your strategies that excellent writers use when writing:• Descriptive language• Specific details• Precise nouns• Strong verbs• Voice

Narrowing the Focus On a PoemDo You Remember:• The poem Where I Am From

by George Ella Lyon?

• The author focused on a series of memories (people, places, events) from her childhood.

• Also the Where We Are From class poem which focused on just the classroom/school.

THE GRANDE FINALE:Narrowing the Focus On a Poem

• Today’s Objective: Learn how writers focus a poem on a single event or just one object.

• Let’s read the poem dog by Valerie Worth. • How does the author focus its’ topic?

• What are the specific details that help create the single picture for the reader?

THE GRANDE FINALE:Narrowing the Focus On a Poem

• In the poem dog by Valerie Worth. • How does the author focus its’ topic?• Answer: one dog under the tree• What are the specific details that help create

the single picture for the reader?

• Let’s look at Mr. Rogers’ Where I Am From poem:• Going to find a line from the poem that focuses

on ONE person, place, thing, or event.

Narrowing the Focus On a Poem

Where I Am FromBy Mr. Rogers

I am from running around in grassy green fields, playing commando, tag, cops & robbers.

I am from getting beat up by my older brother.

I am from having Kermit the Frog and E.T. as stuffed animals.

I am from eating delicious chocolate cupcakes that my mom made for me on my birthday.

I am from camping out in the backyard in pitch-black darkness, star gazing.

THE GRANDE FINALE:Narrowing the Focus On a Poem

• Pick out a line from your Where I Am From poem.

• From my poem: I am from camping out in the backyard in pitch-black darkness, star gazing.

• This line will be the focus of my last poem.

• Make sure you stick to one main focus!

• Use as many different specific details as you can!

Narrowing the Focus On a Poem1. Write your final poem using a line from your

Where I Am From poem as the main focus.

2. Use specific details, descriptive language (strong verbs/precise nouns), sensory details, and voice to create a picture in the reader’s mind.

• Use a dictionary or thesaurus if you need to!!!

3. Be sure to stay on topic!

4. When you finish you will need to Proofread,Revise, and Edit .

Remember: This is for a GRADE!!!