Lamentations

Discover what a ‘lamentation’ is.
Write your own original lamentation (from your own experience) according to the example and posting it in this
discussion.
Make sure to include an introduction that tells why you chose to write about this topic.
Read and respond to the lamentations written by five of your classmates, giving the rationale for selection of
each of the five.
Discovering What a ‘Lamentation’ Is
Lamentations are personal complaints to God, and many of the Psalms in the Bible show how David was able
to express himself when he was upset, angry, or disappointed. Skim through Psalms (good source!) and the
Book of Lamentations from the Bible and see for yourself precisely what David was stating. You may use this
link (Links to an external site.) for your convenience in reading them. The difference between a “complaint” and
a lamentation is that the lamentation usually ends with a praise to God for how the problem is now in His
hands.
Definition: Lamentation (Links to an external site.)
Example of an original lamentation: “For the Missing Paper”Preview the document
Writing Your Own Lamentation
Prepare your original lamentation (following example above). Although the lamentation follows a variety of
formats, create your original lamentation using the format of the example provided, which contains the
following components:
Choose an original title for your lamentation.
Write an introductory paragraph telling us why you chose this topic.
Begin with some kind of salutation to God (again, the Psalms and other books of the Bible show many
examples of how others have addressed God.)
State your problem dramatically–and then ask for help!
Complain loudly three times–with LOTS of specific details!
Finish by thanking God for His help with your problem.
Posting Your Lamentation
Don’t forget to post your original lamentation (with a personal introduction of why you chose your particular
topic) in the Assignment, in addition to posting it in the Discussion.
Instructions
Post your original “robust” response that consists of your lamentation (see comments in #2, below) with a
personal introduction of why you chose your particular topic.
If appropriate for your poem, cite sources appropriately using MLA format including in-text citations and Works
Cited. For this assignment, however, you’re not required to cite sources since you are the author. Although
poetic writing doesn’t always follow academic writing rules, it’s still important that you spell your words correctly
and follow the format demonstrated in the “Lamentation Example for the Missing Paper.” Check your poem for
its visual appeal and placement of words, and read it aloud/or sing it dramatically (!) to someone for the whole
auditory effect (since the original lamentations were sung).