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Lehman College
Afro-Latino Communities Class
Prof. Berberena
Special Project #2: Poem Review
Objective:
1) Provide a thoughtful and elaborate reflection addressing the author’s emphasis
(whether direct or symbolic) on any element of Afro-Latino identity in their poem
integrating readings and class discussions.
2) Demonstrate an understanding of what the author has to say to their audience
and how it relates to class, Afro-Latinidad, Blackness, and any other element
associated with being Afro-Latino.
3) Use creativity in choosing and discussing the selected poem.
Instructions:
(1) First, select a poem/short text written by an Afro-Latinx writer (you may use this list
https://www.latinobookreview.com/10-contemporary-afro-latino-authors-to-know-latino-book-review.html or the authors listed in Unit III).
(2) Then, write a reflection about that poem (include title of the poem, author and date of
publication) highlighting previous class discussions, what is your interpretation of it,
your reactions to it, and how certain tropes such as Blackness, Black women, music,
resistance, negritude/negrismo, etc, are articulated by the author in their own way.
(3) Please make sure the author is Afro-Latino (a Latino or Latin American person of
African descent), born in the United States or in Latin America (preferably in the
United States). Since I know Spanish, the poem could be in Spanish, but your
reflection has to be in English.
If you submit a review of a poem whose author is not Afro-Latino, you will fail the
assignment and there’s no guarantee a second chance will be given.
(4) Include the entire poem of choice for reference (if it is too long, include at least 4
stanzas). If not, points will be deducted (even if this is not included in the rubric
below). The poem does not count within the page number expectation below (1-2
pages).
(5) Include at least one class reading and cite/reference it correctly along with any other
sources you may use. At least one citation is required, besides the poem itself. You
may use MLA, APA, or Chicago citation style.
Format: This paper is designed to reflect your thinking process and should be 2 pages in
length, typed, double-spaced and in a 12-point Times New Roman (TNR) or Calibri font with
one-inch margins. Grammar and spelling will be evaluated. The assignment will be checked
against plagiarism.
1
Lehman College
Afro-Latino Communities Class
Prof. Berberena
Guiding Questions for Writing a Poem Review
Students can use the following guiding questions to brainstorm their ideas before writing
their review but please refrain from submitting a paper answering these questions one by
one. I want an essay that’s insightful, critical, elaborate, and creative.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
What are the main points of the poem?
Why? What’s at stake for the author? What are they trying to convey? What does the
author have to say to his/her/their audience?
What’s their audience? Who are they appealing to?
What stands out the most pertaining to Afro-Latinidad and Blackness, if anything?
What are 3 representative or provocative or memorable quotes? Why were they
special to you?
What are the poem’s strengths? Why are these particular strengths so apparent to
you?
What are the poem’s weaknesses? Why are these particular weaknesses so apparent
to you?
What stanzas or phrases did you have to return to for further clarity? What made them
harder to comprehend?
What other kinds of questions or issues do you want to raise about this poem and/or
author?
Does the author belong to any literary movement like Negrismo, negritude,
Afrofuturismo, among others? Why you think this is the case or what symbols depict
this idea?
How does this poem relate to your personal experiences, if applicable?
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Poem Review Rubric
Afro-Latino Communities Class, Prof. Berberena
CATEGORY
Comprehension
4
Student clearly
understands the
poem and accurately
addresses all
assignment
guidelines.
Relevance and
Originality
Paper is original, the
poem of choice and
its reflection
addresses
assignment objetives
and extends beyond.
This includes
choosing an AfroLatino writer.
Reflection
Provides a strong
creative insight
about the symbolic
meaning of the poem
and is able to support
this with strong
evidence from the
text and class
readings.
Answers are wellstated, and structure
follows expected
format. No errors in
grammar, sentence
structure, or spelling.
Writing
Skills,
Format, &
Clarity
3
Student seems to
understand most of
the poem and
accurately answers
most questions
related to the
assignment.
Accurately describes
a couple of the
objectives but
missed some
important elements
or is not original.
2
Student
understands some
parts of the poem
and accurately
answers some
questions related
to assignment.
Addresses at least
one element of the
assignment. Poem
meets objectives
poorly and paper
is not original.
1
Student has
trouble
understanding
most parts of the
story or answers
are incomplete.
Provides a a
somewhat
reasonable insight
about the symbolic
meaning and is able
to support this with
some evidence from
the poem and
readings.
Answers are wellstated, format meets
standards. Minor
errors in grammar,
sentence structure or
spelling.
Student identifies
the literal meaning
of the work and/or
can relate how the
work makes
him/her feel
personally.
Student finds it
difficult to
interpret the
meaning or
mood of the
work.
Answers are not
clearly stated.
Several errors, but
not strongly
affecting
readability.
Format needs
improvement.
Answers do not
make logical
sense.
Mechanical
errors strongly
affect
readability.
Format is off.
Fails to
address any of
the elements
of the
assignment.
Poem does
not meet
objectives.
Paper is not
original.
=16/17. Additional point goes for including at
least one citation/reference from class
readings (17/17).
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