The Yellowjacket Anthology of Literature

-a webquest for AP English Literature students

      "Poetry is the universal language which the heart holds with nature and itself. He who has a contempt for poetry, cannot have much respect for himself, or for anything else." - William Hazlitt

    Contempt for poetry and literature in general is not an uncommon feeling among English students. Poetry can be difficult to understand, contains subtle references, or addresses minute detail. In short, poetry is hard. Additionally, poets have not generally been known as the "dazzling celebrities" so often admired by teenagers. This webquest wishes to change all that. Your job will be to make a celebrity out of one of these guys or girls who "just writes." Throughout your work, you will become an expert on your selected author, recite his or her work for the class, and prepare a web site for inclusion in the  Yellowjacket Anthology. You will not be working in groups for this project, which means that YOU are responsible for your own success.

    Good luck, and enjoy the quest. Remember, poetry is meant to be enjoyed by the eyes and most importantly, by the ears. Take the time to speak the words and listen to the words. Don't become too distracted with the deep inner meanings or with ripping the poem apart until all that is left is the alphabet. Billy Collins makes this point very well.