S07_250_Grp4

=Group 4= =Unpacking: "Introduction to Poetry" lines 9-11= ("I want them to waterski/across the surface of a poem/ waving at the author's name on the shore.")

In lines 9-11 of Billy Collins' "Introduction to Poetry," metaphors are used as the figurative language. Waterskiing is a metaphor for reading poetry, the boat is the poem, and the water skier is the reader. Collins uses the metaphor "Waving at the author's name on the shore," to show that once the work is unpacked there is an ease and enjoyment in the reading of a poem. The author being on shore shows that the writer does not want to be in control of the reading, rather he wants the reader to take control and take their own direction to explore the poem. The author does not want to be the driver of the boat, pulling the reader in a set direction.
 * __Expert move #1: identify & excerpt the figurative language__**

Whether one is learning to water-ski or read literature, it often appears easier than it really is. Water-skiing represents the image of skimming across water. Collins's wants the readers of this poem to skim across the literature text. The challenge of water-skiing is getting out of the water and up on the skis, much like unpacking a poem to reach an understanding of the work. Literature has several layers, when using the imagery of water-skiing the layers consist of below the water (connotative) and on the surface (denotation). As fun as waterskiing is, it is at first difficult to even get out of the water and stand on the skis; but once you are up and going you are able to change directions and become at ease on the skis. Sometimes you are thrown an obstacle, perhaps a log in the water or a wave from the boat and you are thrust back into the water. A similar thing can happen when you are unpacking a difficult poem, with both you need to regain your composure and get back on the skis. Waterskiing is a very enjoyable recreation activity, but at the same time it can be a terror for those who are afraid of water or who can not swim. If that individual takes the time to learn to swim, they can overcome their fear of water and actually water ski. Thus, they will realize that it is very pleasing and rewarding to water ski, much like learning to unpack a difficult poem.
 * __Expert move #2: explain the comparison__**

//The water skiing metaphor used by Collins also brings up sensory images. While waterskiing an individual would see the lake as a playground easy to skim across yet it would be dangerous if obstacles appear. The lake may be smooth as a mirror and easy to navigate or choppy with waves making it difficult to relax as you have to adjust to ever changing conditions. On a sunny day a glare may be present making identifying the terrain ahead difficult. On overcast days the visibility may be better but the reflections of clouds on the lake may hide potential hazards. While waterskiing you would hear the sound of water being split by your skis, the motor on the boat in front of you, and the laughter from others in the boat. There could also be sounds of splashes as others around you fall and jet-ski sounds as they compete for space on the lake. On remote lakes there might be the sound of loons or ducks, and the water and wind rushing by as speed increases. You would feel the cool water as you waited to be pulled on top of the water, wind touching water as it cools your body, and the burn of the ski rope wrapped around your leg or arm while falling. You would smell the fresh water as you arrived at the lake and the odor of oil and gas as the boat motor came to life. These sensory images enhance the use of the metaphor of water skiing and the message// that Collins wants the reader to enjoy the poem. He thinks that the poem's content should be a fun thing to understand. It may be difficult at first, like learning how to water-ski, both water skiing and reading poetry becomes easier the more you do it. After one has accomplished a task, such as standing on water-skis for the first time, one wants to make it known to those around them. Waving at the author implies that the reader has overcome the obstacle of unpacking the poem, and that it was not as hard as they once thought. You cannot wave to someone while you are concentrating on a task, but you can when you have mastered something and have enough confidence in your skill. The act of waterskiing requires preparation, resources, knowledge and skill. Not everyone has the ability or the resources to wake up one day and say "I am going to water ski", but if an individual accepts the challenge of unpacking a difficult poem they can do it via the four expert moves provided by Dr. Chick. The reader’s wave tells the person on shore that he is currently in control and is enjoying himself. Applying this to reading a poem, when we master the section of the poem enough that we can wave at the author, we are enjoying our reading of the poem. When the author gets waved at he receives visual gratification that the reader is enjoying his work. "Being waved at" may be one reason that an author writes a poem.
 * __Expert move #3: unpack the figurative meanings__**

Waterskiing provides a visual of skimming across a lake in a seemingly effortless motion, but all of a sudden you are slammed back into the water to recover and start again. The idea being that even though you may skim across the surface of a poem you will later have to recover as you fall into the difficult parts and regain an understanding and start again. Waterskiing provides many opportunities to fall and recover and become familiar with obstacles on the lake, in much the same way a difficult poem will provide obstacles for the reader searching for the underlying meaning in the subtext. Unpacking or water skiing through the poem allows us to understand and appreciate the poem beyond the surface. The idea of learning to water-ski, overcoming your fears and then feeling comfortable trying new things relates to the rest of the poem by presenting a dare to the reader to take on something new, challenging, rewarding and not something everyone can accomplish. Set yourself away from the general populace and step up to the test. In the poem Collins encourages the reader to look at a poem from many different angles, and enjoy the process. "Introduction to Poetry" is a wish for people to enjoy reading poetry, to feel curiosity, to enjoy searching and learning a new skill. Unfortunately, he feels that instead of treating poetry as an enjoyable adventure we get stuck trying to force the meaning out of the work. The metaphors serve as lessons in how to unpack and enjoy poetry.
 * __Expert move #4: recontextualize with the whole poem__**

Upon reading Collins's poem and unpacking lines 9-11 we found that he really wants the reader to engage in reading poetry in a adventurous sort of way. As with waterskiing, your level of performance and enjoyment increases with practice. You can read through the different layers and appreciate the author and his work.
 * __3 Sentence Summary__****:**