"Elliptical" Close Read

"Elliptical" is a prose poem, just like "Sonnet, with Bird," by Sherman Alexie. What makes this a prose poem? Choose all the apply.

• It is written as a paragraph instead of in stanzas.

• It is written in sentences instead of lines.

• It lacks regular meter or rhyme scheme.

• It lacks sound devices, like alliteration and assonance.

Answer explanation

The poem is written more like prose than poetry, using sentences in a paragraph instead of lines in a poem. It also uses sound devices, including alliteration and assonance. However, it does not have regular meter or rhyme scheme, which is used in some but not all traditional poetry.

Which characteristic best shows why "Elliptical" is still considered a poem?

• It rhymes.

• It has regular meter.

• It concerns traditional poetic topics.

• It suggests meaning rather than stating it directly.

Answer explanation

The characteristic that best shows why "Elliptical" is still considered a poem is that it suggests meaning rather than stating it directly. This indirect approach is a hallmark of poetry, allowing for deeper interpretation.

Listen, and then respond.

TITLE: An ellipsis is a series of three dots (...) used to show where words have been taken out of speech or writing. When read aloud, how does the performer read these ellipsis? What is the effect?

Answer explanation

When performers read ellipses, they often pause, creating a sense of hesitation or suspense. This effect emphasizes the omitted words, allowing the audience to feel the weight of what is unsaid.

SPEAKER: Which repeated word in the poem helps establish ambiguity, or leaving things unclear so that it could have different interepretations?

• that

• they

• some

• can't

Answer explanation

The word 'they' introduces ambiguity by referring to an unspecified group, allowing for multiple interpretations of who or what is being discussed. This vagueness enhances the poem's overall complexity.

SPEAKER: The author seems to indicate that whatever comes after the ellipses would not be positive. List five words that help indicate this.

Answer explanation

Words like 'failure', 'disappointing', 'struggle', 'loss', and 'regret' suggest negativity, indicating that what follows the ellipses is likely unfavorable.

SPEAKER: Who could be the speaker in this poem? Describe a situation in which someone would likely make statements that start like this.

SPEAKER: In "Elliptical," who are the most likely speakers, and about whom are they most likely speaking?

• Mainstream society seems to be speaking about a group it looks down on.

• Recent immigrants seem to be speaking about those who were born here.

• Elected officials seems to be speaking about their political opponents.

• Oppressed people seem to be speaking about their oppressors.

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights that mainstream society often speaks about marginalized groups with disdain, reflecting societal hierarchies and prejudices, which aligns with the theme of 'Elliptical'.

PARAPHRASE: Write 1-3 sentences in which you paraphrase what happens in the poem.

FIGURATIVE DEVICES: Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the start of words that are close to each other. Which of the following is an example of alliteration in the poem?

• If only they would make an effort to...

• Our interactions unfortunately have been...

• We all wish they weren’t so...

• Their overall tendency has been...

Answer explanation

The phrase 'We all wish they weren’t so...' contains the repetition of the initial 'w' sound in 'wish' and 'weren’t', making it an example of alliteration. The other options do not exhibit this consonant sound repetition.

FIGURATIVE DEVICES: The line "On the other hand, they obviously feel entitled to..." is an example of which sound device?

• onomatopoeia, the use of words that imitate or sound like the noises they describe

• consonance, or the repetition of consonant sounds in words that are close to each other

• alliteration, or the repetition of consonant sounds at the start of words that are close to each other

• assonance, or the the repetition of vowel sounds within words that are close to each other

Answer explanation

The phrase 'On the other

hand, they obviously feel entitled to...' contains the repetition of the initial 'o' sound in 'on' and 'other' and 'obviously,' making it an example of assonance. The other options do not exhibit this vowel sound repetition.