This week we began the poetry annotation by working with "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman.
Here's the assignment.
English 12 Unit 1:
”Fast Car” Model Annotation
Know:
The goal of this assignment is to learn how to annotate a poem. This will help you better understand the meaning and purpose of a poem.
Understand:
You will understand how finding the speaker (personae), audience(s), purpose and argument aids in your better understanding a piece of writing.
Do:
In small groups you will do an annotation of the poem and present it to the class.
What You Need:
o A Small Group to Work With
o 1 Extra Copy of Fast Car Lyrics (I've included them at the bottom of this posting)
o Scissors
o Tape or Glue
o Colored Markers or Pencils
o 1 Extra Large Sheet of Paper
English 12 Unit 1:
”Fast Car” Model Annotation
1. Cut up the poem so that it can
be attached to the poster in one
continuous column.
2. Write the names of your
group members on the front
of the poster.
Reread the poem and begin
To mark words, phrases and lines that help you figure out:
Speaker
o Who the speaker is and what you know about them.
o What is the speaker like?
o What has happened to the speaker?
o What is the speaker’s attitude towards the event(s),
o Etc.
Audience(s)
o Who is/are the intended audience?
o How do you know this?
Purpose:
o Why did this person take time to write the poem?
o What is the message?
o Are there multiple messages? If so, what are they? Who are they intended for?
Argument:
o What does the speaker want you to do with the information?
o How does the speaker want you to behave or change?
-----------------
You got a fast car
I want a ticket to anywhere
Maybe we make a deal
Maybe together we can get somewhere
Anyplace is better
Starting from zero got nothing to lose
Maybe we'll make something
But me myself I got nothing to prove
You got a fast car
And I got a plan to get us out of here
I been working at the convenience store
Managed to save just a little bit of money
We won't have to drive too far
Just 'cross the border and into the city
You and I can both get jobs
And finally see what it means to be living
You see my old man's got a problem
He live with the bottle that's the way it is
He says his body's too old for working
I say his body's too young to look like his
My mama went off and left him
She wanted more from life than he could give
I said somebody's got to take care of him
So I quit school and that's what I did
You got a fast car
But is it fast enough so we can fly away
We gotta make a decision
We leave tonight or live and die this way
I remember we were driving driving in your car
The speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
And I had a feeling that I belonged
And I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone
You got a fast car
And we go cruising to entertain ourselves
You still ain't got a job
And I work in a market as a checkout girl
I know things will get better
You'll find work and I'll get promoted
We'll move out of the shelter
Buy a big house and live in the suburbs
You got a fast car
And I got a job that pays all our bills
You stay out drinking late at the bar
See more of your friends than you do of your kids
I'd always hoped for better
Thought maybe together you and me would find it
I got no plans I ain't going nowhere
So take your fast car and keep on driving
You got a fast car
But is it fast enough so you can fly away
You gotta make a decision
You leave tonight or live and die this way
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