Dear Mr. Piper:

As AP Calculus draws to a close, I find myself in a discouraging position. My grade in the course is slowly declining despite increased efforts to study, and as our study of calculus progresses I find myself less and less interested in the course. This is hardly a failing on the part of the program; instead, I have realized a real interest in English, and I find myself drawn from more scientific fields to the abstract thinking and analysis of language.

Originally, I was signed to continue taking mathematics, advancing out of AP Calculus into AAP Calculus. A sophomore level college class, it is designed and offered for students who have a true desire to learn higher level math and not for students who, in my case, may only take one or two math classes in college outside the required foundational courses. I feel that continuing in the incredibly rigorous AAP curriculum will only cause me to burn out in math, turning what is only a mild interest into an active dislike. I feel the AAP course is a wonderful way for mathematically oriented students to grow, but personally, I can no longer find real interest or happiness in it.

The ultimate result of this thinking has been the conclusion that an independent study in poetry will be a much more suitable course to my own goals in life and to my continuing educational growth. Poetry is an art form which seems to be under appreciated in modern culture; many people still read novels, as evidenced by the success of works such as The Life of Pi and The DaVinci Code, but rarely does poetry enter the public eye. Too often it is seen stereotypically; a few rhyming words thrown together to present an extended metaphor. I believe research and analysis of poetic works will help to better understand the art behind poetry, the subtle nuances and diction that can in a page say what a full novel can’t.

In order to do this, I will be working through various poetic movements, studying key figures and styles, understanding what makes the movement distinct, and creating my own works in the style of the movement. Ideally, this will encompass eight poetic movements and a culminating portfolio which will showcase both my analyses of the movements and my works in them. The preferred movements and a brief overview of each can be found on the attached sheet labeled “Movements to be Studied”.

In terms of my own educational growth, experience in poetic form is incredibly important. While I have an active interest in poetry and literature outside of school, only so much can be actively gained from it. I would love the opportunity to research and write under the guidance of Mrs. Bosnic, who has been a wonderful supporter of my education and a mentor figure for the previous two years. She has, as you know, incredible experience with literature and poetry, and is a constant advocate for continued literary growth. Having time set aside to learn about the intricacies of major poetic movements with the supervision of an experienced teacher will prove to be a valuable opportunity for me, wherein I can learn more about an art which is woefully absent from mainstream society. As a future English student, this independent study will prepare me for college and give me a background in the various styles and methods used by influential poets. It will work as a base for growth, a jumping point before being immersed in college English in conjunction with AP Literature and Honors IS in Literature and Analysis.

I realize that asking for this requires dropping an AP class, one that is possibly the hardest in the school. Reasonably, I cannot argue for academic misplacement on the basis of it being too easy, nor on the basis that I will fail out. I do argue, however, that I am misplaced on the grounds that it is not for me, and it would be violating the ideals that drive the class for me to stay in. AAP Calculus is for those dedicated to mathematics, those who thrive upon it, those who wish to begin a career in the field. As I study literature more and more, I find myself so at home, so comfortable, so matched that I can only see it as my future. While I see the value of mathematics, I have realized it is not where I want to go. My grades are slowly slipping in calculus, as is my drive, and I believe that I will sink below mediocrity should I stay for AAP Calculus. I do still plan to take the Calc AB AP Test, meaning the school’s scores will not drop with me, and I plan to continue an interest in mathematics throughout my life, but right now, with college fast approaching, I believe the proper course of action is to enter into a self-designed class wherein I can prepare for my future instead of burning out on what I have already experienced.

I implore you to consider this independent study. It is a place of new growth and experience which will be incredibly valuable to me in my education. It is an educational opportunity not offered in a normal curriculum. It is corrective academic placement for a dedicated English student.

Thank you for your consideration,

James Zachary Taylor III

Possible areas of study:

The Beats: The prominent movement of the middle 1900’s; the paradoxical nature of the movement along with the ideas of the times forms a wonderful juxtaposition to be studied. Major poets would include Burroughs, Kerouac and Ginsberg.

Confessionalism: The unsavory truths of the world; realism with a more personal base. May overlap with beat poetry and form a good transition between the two. Major poets would include Ginsberg, Bowers, and Juster.

Harlem Renaissance: The essence of early American black culture; the rejection of the sins of the oppressor and the recognition of power in cultural heritage. Major poets would include Hughes, Fauset, and Cullen.

Symbolist: The power of words and phrasing over traditional style; a focus on internalization and disjointed but powerful expression. Major poets would Kahn, Rimbaud, and Moreas.

Postmodern: Poetry past World War II with a focus on fragmentation and questionability; an aura of confusion and imprecision to be sorted through analytically and with a careful eye. Major poets would include Beckett, Burroughs, and O’Brien.

Modernism: Poetry with an emphasis on the ideals of Modernist literature; ornamented, detailed and structured differently based on country of origin, tied together by basic principles. Major poets would include Pound, Eliot, and Wilde.

Language Poets: The old avant-garde; irony and skewed modernism evoked in ways as to change ideas as to what is poetry. Major poets would include Grenier, Bruce Andrews, and Hejinian

San Francisco Renaissance: The realization that made San Francisco the hub of avant-garde in the 40’s to 60’s; one city that influenced the feelings of a nation. Major poets would include Bukowski, Watts, and Gleason.