Discuss the following questions as a class: How is poetry organized? What techniques do poets use to aid in organization? Then, think of several poems that you have read and discuss how they are organized. Keep in mind that different kinds of poetry have different organizations. Read the Prereading information on page 611, and discuss how ballads are organized.
1. Follow along in the text as your teacher reads “Courage” aloud. How is the text organized? Jot down your answer. Then, for each section of the text, record the main idea. How does the poet separate ideas?
2. Work with a partner to read “The Cremation of Sam McGee” aloud. Discuss with your partner how the text is organized and how this organization enhances your understanding or enjoyment of the poem. Jot down your analysis of the organization.
If you have difficulty using the text’s organization to find the main ideas, use the Guided Reading Questions to focus your reading. First read a Guided Reading Question. Then, read the text surrounding the question. Record your answer and move on to the next question. Continue applying this strategy until you finish the selection.
How does the organization of the two poems differ? How is it similar? Did the organization help you identify the poem’s main ideas? What purpose did the organization serve? Write a brief essay about the organization, and share your essay with your reading partner.