Name: ___________________________________________American Poetry Unit: Kendrick Lamar’s “Sing about me; I’m dying of thirst”

Man killed in Jamaica Plain ‘was trying to change his life’18-year-old from Hyde Park pleads not guilty in shootingBy Laura Crimaldi and Akilah Johnson | Boston Globe | 2.12.2015

Kenneth “Kenny” Lamour arrived at the Centre Street rotary in Jamaica Plain Wednesday morning to shovel snow as part of a work crew organized by the nonprofit Roca Inc.But around 10:30 a.m. he crossed paths with Josiah Zachery, an 18-year-old Hyde Park resident with a “significant juvenile history” and lost his life, according to a prosecutor. Zachery pulled out a large-caliber handgun, said Suffolk Assistant District Attorney Ian Polumbaum, and fatally shot Lamour, 21.Lamour was found mortally wounded in the snow and pronounced dead 10 minutes later, according to a Boston police report.It marked the first time in Roca’s nearly 30-year history that a work crew member was killed at a job site, said Molly Baldwin, the agency’s founder and chief executive.“He came to work [Wednesday] because he was trying to change his life,” said Baldwin. “He was struggling to make changes, which is a precious and important thing. There will never be enough words to express how unacceptable and tragic this is.”Lamour, a Roslindale resident, had been in the program for seven or eight months. Making sure they have job skills is a key part of how Roca helps young people turn their lives around.She said Lamour’s alleged assailant had no connection to the Chelsea organization, which works with some of Greater Boston’s most at-risk youth, including high-school dropouts, young parents, and those who have been through the criminal justice system.Zachery was arraigned Thursday in West Roxbury District Court, where he remained out of view at the request of his defense attorney, who said the case involves identification issues.He is also accused of firing at a Boston police officer, who stopped his vehicle to investigate when he heard gunfire, Polumbaum said.“When he pointed the gun at the officer, the officer ducked down inside his vehicle, then gave chase to the shooter who then, while running away, fired rounds pointing back behind him with a gun at least twice,” Polumbaum said. The officer was not hurt, according to police.Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley praised the police for “great restraint . . . in the face of a deadly threat.”

Zachery evaded the officer, but was seen cutting behind a house on a side street, Polumbaum said. He was described as wearing a black jacket and gray sweat shirt with the hood up, Polumbaum said.When police caught him on Centre Street, Zachery was covered in snow, wearing the hoodie and sneakers, and carrying a black-and-yellow shovel, which he said he had been using to clear snow in various neighborhoods, Polumbaum said.A black jacket was found under a porch, where officers also found sneaker prints that appeared to match shoes worn by Zachery, Polumbaum said.The owner of the house where the jacket and footprints were found told police his black-and-yellow shovel had just gone missing. Police found a handgun on the roof of a neighboring garage, Polumbaum said.In court Thursday, not-guilty pleas were entered on Zachery’s behalf to charges of murder and several firearms offenses. He was charged separately with assault with a dangerous weapon for the alleged attack on the officer.Defense attorney Jack Miller questioned whether witnesses were accurate in their identification of Zachery as the suspect.“The witnesses said he appeared to be the same person,” he said. “I’d be curious to see just exactly what happened in that identification procedure.”Outside court, Miller said Zachery was innocent and did not know Lamour.Zachery was ordered held without bail and is due back in court March 12.Roca representatives attended the arraignment and met with Lamour’s family afterward. Baldwin said the agency has contracts with about 20 cities and is “very intentional” about where it sends its work crews to ensure they do not go to places where they had previous problems.Lamour had been prosecuted in the past, most recently last year when he pleaded guilty to threatening to shoot a woman who honked her car horn at him, court records show. As part of his probation, he was ordered to enter a job-ready program.In 2011, he was charged in Suffolk Superior Court with stomping on a Department of Youth Services worker after the worker was knocked to the floor by a second DYS detainee, according to court records and Conley’s office. The DYS worker was seriously injured.He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 2½ years in prison with credit for 322 days he had spent in jail awaiting trial. Separately, Lamour pleaded guilty in 2013 to assault and battery charges and was given a sentence concurrent with the previous case, court records show.Lamour’s parents, sister, and aunt sat together in the second row during the arraignment. After the proceeding, they said Lamour was taken too soon.“Kenny was a bright light. He was a future scholar,” said his aunt, Magalie Lamour. “He was as bright as what you would expect the next black president of the United States would be. He didn’t get a chance to prove that.”Lamour’s mother, Carine, said Roca helped him and she felt strong.“I feel safe,” Carine Lamour. “God will take care of it.”

Comprehending a News ArticleTo comprehend – or understand – a nonfiction story you must identify the 5 Ws:

1. Who are the characters involved in this story?

2. What is the main point or message of the story?

3. When does this story take place? Be as specific as possible.

4. Where does the story take place? Be as specific as possible.

5. Why was this story written?

6. Who is the story’s primary audience? What evidence can you find to prove that?

Creating ConnectionsAfter you have annotated, explicated, and written about Kendrick Lamar’s lyrics, return to this news story. Find and explore connections between Lamar’s ideas and the events described in the Boston Globe piece. What would Lamar’s response to this story be?

As you read Lamar’s poem, pay attention to the various ways he responds to an existing crisis. What is the crisis he is responding to? What is his response? Who is he speaking to? What does he envision may happen? What is the underlying message to his audience?

Sing About Me; I’m Dying of ThirstKendrick Lamar

Tired of running, tired of huntingMy own kind but retiring nothingTires are steady screeching, the driver is rubbingHands on the wheel, who said we wasn't

5 Dying of thirst, dying of thirst, dying of thirst

Dope on the corner, look at the coronerDaughter is dead, mother is mourning herStrayed bullets, AK bulletsResuscitation was waiting patiently but they couldn't

10 Bring her back, who got the footage?Channel 9, cameras is lookingIt's hard to channel your energy when you know you're crookedBanana clip, split his banana puddingI'm like Tre, that's Cuba Gooding

15 I know I'm good at dying of thirst, dying of thirst, dying of thirst

How many sins? I'm running outHow many sins? I lost countDreams of balling like SpaldingBut only shotty bounce

20 The reaper calling, I'm cottonmouthMoney is power, yours is oursLay with a snitch, die with a cowardHope we get rich, hope we can towerOver the city with vanity with the music louder

25 The same song, a black flowerI'll show you how to dye your thirst, dye your thirst, dye your thirst

What are we doing? Who are we fooling?Hell is hot, fire is provenTo burn for eternity, return of the student

30 That never learned how to live righteous but how to shoot itTired of running, choirs is hummingTell us to visit, we lying 'bout comingNow back to business, loading the guns inBack of the Buick, your hood is feuding and the beef is bubbling

35 It's no discussion, hereditaryAll of my cousins dying of thirst, dying of thirst, dying of thirst

Too many sins, I'm running outSomebody send me a well for the droughtSee, all I know, is taking notes

40 On taking this life for granted, granted, if he provokeMy best days, I stress days (Lord forgive me for all my sins for I not know...)My best days, I stress daysSay "Screw the world," my sex slaveMoney, women and greed; what's my next crave

45 Whatever it is, know it's my next graveTired of running, tired of runningTired of tumbling, tired of runningTired of tumblingBack once my momma say

50 "See a pastor, give me a promiseWhat if today was the rapture, and you completely tarnishedThe truth will set you free, so to me be completely honestYou dying of thirst, you dying of thirstSo hop in that water, and pray that it works"

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth (born June 17, 1987), better known as Kendrick Lamar, is an American rapper from Compton, California. In 2004, Lamar signed to the Carson-based indie record label Top Dawg Entertainment and in 2012, Lamar and the label signed a joint venture deal with Aftermath and Interscope Records. Lamar is also a member of West Coast hip hop supergroup Black Hippy, alongside his label-mates and fellow California-based rappers Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock, and Ab-Soul.

Making the Question Relevant

Poem: __________________________________________ Composition Date: ___________

Author: ___________________________________________

Explication QuestionsDetermine the basic design of the poem by considering the who, what, when, where, and why of the dramatic situation.

Answer the following questions around the poem. Draw lines between specific words and phrases from the poem and your answers.

1. Predict using the title.

2. Define any unknown terms.

3. Summarize the poem in the margins.

4. What conflicts or themes does the poem address?

5. Who is the speaker? Define and describe the speaker and his/her voice.

6. What is the conflict? Is it resolved?

7. When does the action occur?

8. Where does the action occur?

9. What the does speaker want the audience to know or understand?

10. Identify any patterns or poetic elements and techniques (e.g. figurative language, irony, satire, allusions, etc.).

YOU WILL ONLY RECEIVE POINTS IF ANSWERS SURROUND POEM

Making the Question RelevantWhat crisis is taking place in this poem?

What is the audience meant to think or understand after reading this poem?

Collecting Evidence

Evidence How does this evidence connect to crisis?What is the author saying about crisis?

Brainstorming a Claim (on a separate sheet of paper)Look back over your explication notes around the poem and your evidence from this page. Begin brainstorming ideas in response to the question: How does the author use poetic elements and techniques (e.g. figurative language, irony, satire, etc.) to communicate a message about crisis?

Big QuestionHow does the author use poetic elements and techniques (e.g. figurative language, irony, satire, allusions, etc.) to communicate a message about crisis?

Argument Template

In ______________, the author uses ________________ to create a ________________ about (title of poem) 1. 2.

__________________. 3.

The [terms or ideas from entry 1 – and 2 if needed] suggest that the author/speaker’s response to (for example: The violent metaphors about the woman’s body) (choose one)

violence/crisis is __________________. (choose one) 4.

After considering the author’s response, we can assume that his/her reader is meant to walk away (choose one)

from the poem understanding or feeling __________________. 5.

Term and Question Bank

1. alliteration; images; figurative language (allegory, metaphor, simile); repetition; rhyme; structure

2. allegory (use only once); comedy; irony; rhythm; satire; _(type of)_ tone; _ (adjective)_ poem

3. Summarize the poem.

4. What is the author/speaker saying about violence? What is the author/speaker’s response to crisis?

5. What lesson is the reader meant to walk away having learned? What does the author want thereader to do in his/her world after reading this poem? What does the author want to inspire the reader to do? What emotions is the reader meant to experience? Why?

ONCE DONE, REVISE AND REWRITE YOUR THESIS PARAGRAPH ON PAGE 13

Important Terms

Alliteration: the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words

Imagery: visually descriptive language

Irony: 1) the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite,typically for humorous or emphatic effect: “Don't go overboard with the gratitude,” he rejoined with heavy irony

2) when something is the opposite of what one expects and is often amusing as a result

3) dramatic irony is when a character's words or actions are clear to the audience or reader although unknown to the character

Figurative language Allegory: a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning or lesson

Metaphor: when a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable: “I had fallen through a trapdoor of depression,” said Mark, who was fond of theatrical metaphors

Simile: a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, used to make a description more emphatic or vivid (e.g., as brave as a lion, crazy like a fox).

Repetition: the action of repeating something that has already been said or written

Rhyme: correspondence of sound between words or the endings of words, especially when these are used at the ends of lines of poetry.

Satire: the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.

Structure: construct or arrange according to a plan; give a pattern or organization to:

Tone: the general character or attitude of a place, piece of writing, situation, etc.

An Effective Outline

Why create an outline? There are many reasons; but in general, it may be helpful to create an outline when you want to show the hierarchical relationship or logical ordering of information. For research papers, an outline may help you keep track of large amounts of information. For creative writing, an outline may help organize the various plot threads and help keep track of character traits. Many people find that organizing an oral report or presentation in outline form helps them speak more effectively in front of a crowd. Below are the primary reasons for creating an outline.

Aids in the process of writing Helps you organize your ideas Presents your material in a logical form Shows the relationships among ideas in your writing Constructs an ordered overview of your writing Defines boundaries and groups

How do I create an outline? Determine the purpose of your paper. Determine the audience you are writing for. Develop the thesis of your paper.

Then:Brainstorm: List all the ideas that you want to include in your paper.Organize: Group related ideas together.Order: Arrange material in subsections from general to specific or from abstract to concrete.Label: Create main and sub headings.

Your Thesis:

Body Paragraph #1:

Body Paragraph #2:

Body Paragraph #3:

Connecting your idea to the thesisIf I were to write a five-paragraph essay, this would be body paragraph number _______.

(use your outline to answer)Explain how this paragraph will support your thesis.

What is the paragraph’s goal? What are you hoping to accomplish with it?

Claim – A debatable argument responding to a prompt

Summary / Context – Provide a brief summary of the moment surrounding your quote

Evidence – 1-3 lines of text that best support your claim and will be fruitful for analysis

Analysis – Your investigation and explanation of a piece of textual evidence (use strategy)

Metacognition – Why did you select this analysis strategy? How’s it supporting your claim?

Potential sentence starters: To understand this concept/idea

readers must understand the importance of…

This idea builds upon previous discussion around the idea of….

The vital elements/ characters/ events are… because…

The important things to remember include…

As one considers this evidence it helps one understand that…

In examining the evidence one can (begin to) understand why…

Connecting your idea to the thesisIf I were to write a five-paragraph essay, this would be body paragraph number _______.

(use your outline to answer)Explain how this paragraph will support your thesis.

What is the paragraph’s goal? What are you hoping to accomplish with it?

Claim – A debatable argument responding to a prompt

Summary / Context – Provide a brief summary of the moment surrounding your quote

Evidence – 1-3 lines of text that best support your claim and will be fruitful for analysis

Analysis – Your investigation and explanation of a piece of textual evidence (use strategy)

Metacognition – Why did you select this analysis strategy? How’s it supporting your claim?

Potential sentence starters: To understand this concept/idea

readers must understand the importance of…

This idea builds upon previous discussion around the idea of….

The vital elements/ characters/ events are… because…

The important things to remember include…

As one considers this evidence it helps one understand that…

In examining the evidence one can (begin to) understand why…

Final DraftsRewrite final drafts of your thesis and two CER paragraphs here.

ANALYSIS STRATEGIES(circle the strategy you’ll use for your analysis)

1. Create ConnectionsCreate connections between the work’s ideas and themes and those found in a) other works (from the same period, genre, author, etc.) or b) our world.

2. Explain a Character’s TraitsAuthors spend a tremendous amount of time and energy choosing just the right words, plotlines, and settings used to paint a picture of a character. What does this character look like? What is the character’s background? What do we know about this person? Why does this matter?

3. Speculate on a Character’s Intentions A good reader acts as a psychoanalyst to characters encountered in a work of literature. Why is this character making the choices he is? What does this character want to have happen? Why does this character treat other characters the way he does? What urges or desires drive this character? What is this character not telling us?

4. Identify and Explain Figurative Language and Extended AllegoriesGood authors often use similes, metaphors, allegories, and allusions in their works. Mark moments of figurative language (a word that means all of these things). Determine what the figurative language means. How do they change the meaning of the poem? Is the author alluding to – or making reference to – an older story or work of literature? If so, how does that change our understanding of the poem?

5. Determine the Author’s IntentionsThis can be related to the author’s biography and it’s impact on the work. But, we can also speculate on the author’s broader intentions based on other works written by the author or other author’s writing during the same period. What do you think the author wants us to walk away thinking after reading this? What does the author want to see change in his or her world?

6. Create Cultural InferencesEach work either reflects or creates a system of values, ethics, and social norms. What can we say about the cultural norms of the author’s world based on this work? In what ways does the work create a unique set of cultural norms? How does the author’s work either reflect back on his world?

7. Explain the Significance of the Work’s ToneA work’s feeling is central to understanding the text’s characters, setting, conflict, resolution, and purpose. What feeling is conveyed throughout the work? How does this feeling – or tone – come to define who lives in this story and why they are doing what they do? How is the reader meant to feel after reading this work?

8. Explain the Significance of the Work’s SettingWhy has this author set his work in this place, season, or time period? What are we meant to think?

9. Consider the Author’s Use of Diction, Syntax, and DialectDifferent authors use different words (diction), sentence structures (syntax), and dialects (varying types of speech found in different communities and regions) for literary effect. What does the author’s choice of words and sentence styles tell us about events in the story? The characters? The story’s message? Why does it matter if a character speaks (or doesn’t speak) a certain way? What does this tell us about where the character’s background?