Again and Again

Writing Workshop

Workshop Title: Again

Step 1

Have your students try and think of an issue that they’re never able to fully explain despite their best efforts to do so. Give them a couple of minutes to brainstorm individually, then have them talk as a group as to why they are not quite able to articulate their thoughts and why this concept is so difficult for others to grasp.

Step 2

Show your students the embedded video to give them some context to the poem they are about to read.

Step 3

Listen to Lena Khalaf Tuffaha’s recording of “Again and Again,” including the introductory comments preceding her recitation.

Step 4

Give your students some time to think about one of the issues they brought up in their discussion earlier and have them outline the myriad of reasons as to why it’s such a “complex” issue for others to grasp.

Step 5

Have your students write a poem, like “Again and Again,” in which they talk about an issue that is seemingly impossible for them to articulate to others.

Step 6

When the students are done, have them share their responses with one another.

The full presentation may be found HERE.

Analytical Lesson

Area of Focus: Various

Step 1

This lesson allows students to analyze various concepts and skills, so it is recommended that you have covered several of the “standalone” lessons before assigning this one. The prominent literary devices & techniques that this particular poem includes are: diction, selection of detail, structure (syntax), figurative language, and imagery.

Step 2

Show your students the following video to give them some context to the poem they are about to read.

Step 3

Listen to Lena Khalaf Tuffaha’s recording of “Again and Again,” including the introductory comments preceding her recitation.

Step 4

When you are done listening, ask your students to try to tie the content of the video they just watched with not only the poem, but also its title.

Step 5

Have your students open the following document and read through the introduction and directions with them. For this assignment, the students are going to have to comb through the poem and identify six different poetic techniques or elements that reinforce the title of the poem “Again and Again.”

Step 6

Give your students time to work on the assignment. The students may work in groups if you wish.

Step 7

When your students are done, have them share their responses with one another.