You Mean Poetry Doesn’t Have To Rhyme? A Language Arts Lesson

Poetry is… Poetry is a creative process that uses language to create a response in the reader.

Let’s look at some examples…

Here’s one of my favorite poems…   Oh, I'm being eaten by a boa constrictor, a boa constrictor, a boa constrictor, I'm being eaten by a boa constrictor-- And I don't like it--one bit. Well, what do you know? It's nibblin' my toe. Oh, gee, It's up to my knee. Oh my, It's up to my thigh. Oh, fiddle, It's up to my middle. Oh, heck, It's up to my neck. Oh, dread, It's upmmmmmmfffffffff . . . -Shel Silverstein

Here’s a special poem called a tongue twister… If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, how many pickled peppers did Peter Piper pick?

Have you ever seen a movie with a scarecrow?

The Wizard of Oz was first a poem!

Here’s another type of poem… Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star Up above the world so far I wish I may I wish I might Have the wish, I wish tonight.

So what’s the point?

Poetry Poetry comes in many different forms! Poems Songs Skits Stories Nursery rhymes Myths and more!

To Rhyme or not to Rhyme Poetry doesn’t have to rhyme, in fact, most poetry doesn’t rhyme.

So when you write a poem Don’t worry about trying to make it rhyme! Instead focus on: Repetition Onomatopoeia Alliteration

Repetition Because poems have less words, your choice of words are so very important. Repetition of a word or phrase is often used by poets to draw attention to a certain word, pattern, or create a rhythm. A lot of poems, books, and songs used repetition to emphasize a word or phrase. For example. . .

Repetition Oh, I'm being eaten by a boa constrictor, a boa constrictor, a boa constrictor, I'm being eaten by a boa constrictor-- And I don't like it--one bit. Well, what do you know? It's nibblin' my toe. Oh, gee, It's up to my knee. Oh my, It's up to my thigh. Oh, fiddle, It's up to my middle. Oh, heck, It's up to my neck. Oh, dread, It's upmmmmmmfffffffff . . . -Shel Silverstein

Repetition: What words are repeated? That’s right, “a boa constrictor, a boa constrictor, a boa constrictor” Why do you think they are repeated? *to create a rhythm for the poem *to evoke a sense of urgency for this dire situation

Onomatopoeia Onomatopoeia is when certain words are used that create a sound when they are said. For example: Buzz Bang Honk Clang Can you think of any?

Onomatopoeia With your elbow partner, create a list in your notebooks of any words that make sounds. You have 5 minutes, go!

Onomatopoeia What words did you think of? Gushing, whisper, splash, thump, ding dong, drip, whiz, plop, zip Don’t forget animal sounds: gobble, meow, baa, neigh, tweet, oink

Alliteration Alliteration is repetition of the beginning consonant sound in a word or words. For example: A snake slithered silently in the swamp. What beginning sound is repeated? “s”

Alliteration Alliteration is repetition of the beginning consonant sound in a word or words. Let’s try some more. . . 1. A brown bear bounced along gathering berries in the woods. 2. The crazy kitty crawled into a cracked cupboard looking for water.

Alliteration Alliteration is repetition of the beginning consonant sound in a word or words. Now’s it your turn. In your journal come up with two “alliteration” sentences. Remember: it must make sense. 1. 2.