Description
What It Is:
A powerful and emotionally engaging poetry analysis worksheet featuring an excerpt from Neil Hilborn’s spoken word poem “OCD.” This worksheet introduces students to performance poetry, mental health themes, and expressive free-verse structure. The poem highlights the intensity of obsessive thoughts, relationships, and vulnerability.
Why Use It:
This worksheet helps students explore tone, theme, figurative language, repetition, and the emotional impact of spoken word poetry. It supports deeper conversations about mental health awareness while strengthening students' ability to analyze contemporary poetry. The heartfelt narrative style makes it especially effective for teaching voice and personal expression.
How to Use It:
• Use as part of a poetry, mental health awareness, or spoken word unit.
• Have students annotate for repetition, emotional tone, and imagery.
• Compare the written excerpt with the live slam performance.
• Discuss themes such as love, anxiety, compulsions, and vulnerability.
• Add reflective writing prompts or small-group discussions.
Grade Suitability:
Best for Grades 8–12.
• Works well in ELA, creative writing, psychology, and social-emotional learning lessons.
• Suitable for mature learners due to emotional themes.
Target Users:
Ideal for teachers, counselors, tutors, and homeschool educators introducing students to modern spoken word poetry and themes surrounding mental health.
A powerful and emotionally engaging poetry analysis worksheet featuring an excerpt from Neil Hilborn’s spoken word poem “OCD.” This worksheet introduces students to performance poetry, mental health themes, and expressive free-verse structure. The poem highlights the intensity of obsessive thoughts, relationships, and vulnerability.
Why Use It:
This worksheet helps students explore tone, theme, figurative language, repetition, and the emotional impact of spoken word poetry. It supports deeper conversations about mental health awareness while strengthening students' ability to analyze contemporary poetry. The heartfelt narrative style makes it especially effective for teaching voice and personal expression.
How to Use It:
• Use as part of a poetry, mental health awareness, or spoken word unit.
• Have students annotate for repetition, emotional tone, and imagery.
• Compare the written excerpt with the live slam performance.
• Discuss themes such as love, anxiety, compulsions, and vulnerability.
• Add reflective writing prompts or small-group discussions.
Grade Suitability:
Best for Grades 8–12.
• Works well in ELA, creative writing, psychology, and social-emotional learning lessons.
• Suitable for mature learners due to emotional themes.
Target Users:
Ideal for teachers, counselors, tutors, and homeschool educators introducing students to modern spoken word poetry and themes surrounding mental health.