Name: Date:
Course and Year Level:
Activity #3
The Patriot's Pen - Writing a Poem Like Rizal
This activity is designed to help you understand the context and style of José Rizal's
poetry, then apply those lessons to your own writing.
Part 1: Understanding Rizal's Poetry
Begin by analyzing one of Rizal's famous poems. A great choice is "To the Filipino
Youth" (A La Juventud Filipina) or "My Last Farewell" (Mi Último Adiós).
Instructions:
1. Search and read the chosen poem aloud, either individually or as a group.
2. Discuss the following questions to uncover its meaning and style:
o What is the central message or theme of the poem? (For "To the
Filipino Youth," it's about the potential and duty of young people. For "My
Last Farewell," it's a final message of love for his country and people.)
o Who is the intended audience?
o What emotions does the poem evoke? (Hope, patriotism, sorrow,
defiance, etc.)
o What literary devices does Rizal use? Look for metaphors,
personification (like giving human qualities to the Philippines), and vivid
imagery.
o How does the historical context (Spanish colonial rule, the struggle for
freedom) influence the poem's content?
Part 2: Planning Your Poem
Now, it's your turn to write. Like Rizal, you will write a poem with a purpose.
Instructions:
1. Choose a theme. Your poem should be about a topic you feel strongly about.
Think about Rizal's themes and choose one that resonates with you. Some ideas
include:
o The beauty and potential of your own country or city.
o A social issue that you believe needs to be addressed (e.g., environmental
protection, poverty, freedom of expression).
A farewell or tribute to a person, a place, or a period in your life.
o
The power of youth to change the world.
o
2. Determine your audience. Who are you writing this poem for? (Your friends,
your community, future generations, etc.)
3. Brainstorm imagery and language. Write down powerful words, metaphors,
and sensory details related to your theme. For example, if you're writing about
the environment, you might list words like "emerald rivers," "sighing trees," or
"the silent cry of the earth."
Part 3: Writing and Sharing
Write your poem, keeping your purpose and planned ideas in mind. Don't worry about
perfect rhymes; focus on conveying your message and emotion clearly.
Instructions:
1. Write at least two to three stanzas.
2. Incorporate some of the literary devices you identified in Part 1 (metaphor,
personification, strong imagery).
3. Give your poem a title.
4. Once you're finished, share your work. Read your poem aloud to a friend, your
class, or a family member. Explain the message you were trying to convey and
why it's important to
Poetry Writing Rubric
Criteria 20 - Excellent 15 - Good 10 - Fair 5 - Needs Points
Improvemen
t
Theme & The poem has The theme is The theme is The poem
Message a clear, clear and present but may lacks a clear
powerful, and well- be vague or theme or
original theme. developed. underdeveloped. message. The
The message is The poem The message is content
deeply felt and conveys a somewhat seems
resonates with meaningful unclear. random or
the reader. message. disjointed.
Imagery & The poem uses The poem The poem has The poem
Sensory rich, vivid, and uses good some imagery, lacks
Detail effective imagery that but it may be imagery. It
imagery that helps the general or "tells" rather
appeals to reader clichéd. than
multiple visualize the "shows."
senses, content.
creating a
strong mental
picture.
Literary The poem The poem The poem uses Literary
Devices expertly uses a uses several one or two devices are
variety of literary literary devices, absent or
literary devices devices but they are not used
(e.g., effectively to fully developed incorrectly.
metaphor, strengthen or are used
simile, the work. awkwardly.
personification
) to enhance
meaning and
emotional
impact.
Rhythm & The poem has The poem The rhythm is The poem
Sound a consistent, has a inconsistent or lacks any
intentional noticeable choppy. Sound rhythm or
rhythm and rhythm. devices are used attention to
uses sound Sound sparingly or sound. It
devices (e.g., devices are without a clear reads like
alliteration, used to add purpose. prose.
assonance) to some
create a texture.
musical and
engaging
reading
experience.
Structure & The poem's The The structure The poem
Form structure (line structure of seems random, has no
breaks, the poem is or line breaks discernible
stanzas) is generally disrupt the flow structure. It
purposeful and logical and and meaning. appears as a
adds to the effective. block of text.
overall
meaning. The
form chosen is
well-executed.
TOTAL:
