ENG1501 ASSIGNMENT 1 FOR 1ST SEM 2025

Now that you have worked through Unit 2 (Poetry) in the study guide, write a reflective essay of 250-350 words in which you reflect on the exercises provided as part of this unit. In your answer, respond to the following: • Did you complete your activity journal? If not, why? • Which of the activities did you find manageable, and what do they have in common? • Which of the activities did you find challenging, and why? • Which aspect of this unit did you find the least enjoyable or difficult to understand? Please be as specific as possible (quote from the section and provide page references). Section A: 10 marks We use the following as a rubric for marking the reflexive essay: Level Mark Range Descriptor Good 6-10 demonstration of engagement with the Study Guide using the given prompts Adequate 5 • generic response that skims the surface • poorly structured essay • response that is not always clear Inadequate 0-4 • AI-generated response • sourced response • unconvincing reflection Section B: Short questions Read the poem ‘they call you mister steve biko now you’re dead’ by Shabbir Banoobhai (page 227 in The New Century of South African Poetry, available as an e-reserve on the library website) before answering the questions that follow. You must answer in full sentences, and you should support your answers by quoting from the poem. Note: You will notice that each question includes a mark allocation. This is to indicate how much you should write to support your answer. One mark represents one main point or reason. If a question counts four marks, that means that you will need to supply four points or reasons. Remember that you can use an example from a poem only once; you cannot use the same example for each of your answers. 1. Consider the first stanza of the poem. 1.1 Comment on what the diction suggests about how Steve Biko was treated while he was alive. (2 marks) 1.2 Who is the “they” referred to here? (1 mark) 1.3 Who was Steve Biko, and why should he be remembered? (If you do not know and need to refer to online sources for this information, remember to reference your sources correctly!) (2 marks) 2. Refer to the title of the poem. 2.1 The title is repeated throughout. What is the effect of this in terms of the content and form of the poem? (2 marks) 2.2 In the title, the poet refers to Steve Biko as ‘mister’. How does this influence the reader’s perception of him? Consider instances when the title: “mister” is normally used. (2 marks) 3. Explore the use of irony in the poem. In your answer, consider the treatment of Steve Biko before and after his death. (3 marks) 4. How does the poet use imagery and symbolism to convey the idea of remembrance and legacy in the poem? (4 marks) 5. How does the poet create rhythm in the poem? (2 marks) 6. Refer to stanza 3. Lines 11-12 state that “the best advocate in the land/ was your voice”. Why is this ironic? (1 mark) 7. Identify the tone of the poem. Remember to justify your answer by referring to two examples. (4 marks) 8. This poem is an example of protest poetry. South Africa has a rich history of this type of poetry. Do you think this poem is effective as a protest poem? Explain. (2 marks) Section B: 25 marks GRAND TOTAL: 35 MARKS For information about correct quoting and referencing, consult Unit 1 of the Study Guide (Tutorial Letter 501). Warning! Using ideas and facts from other people, books or web pages without saying where they come from is the same as stealing those ideas and facts. This is plagiarism and it is a serious offence. If you are found guilty of plagiarism, you will fail this assignment.