An Introduction to “POETRY is PROSE bewitched a music MADE OF visual THOUGHT The SOUND of an IDEA” -Mina Loy

POETRY a type of writing in which words are chosen and arranged to create a strong feeling, message, or image through meaning, sound, and rhythm.

Structure Elements Prose Lines Stanza Rhyme Rhyme Scheme

Structure Prose: Writing that uses sentences Example: Mad Hatter: “Why is a raven like a writing-desk?” “Have you guessed the riddle yet?” the Hatter said, turning to Alice again. “No, I give it up,” Alice replied: “What’s the answer?” “I haven’t the slightest idea,” said the Hatter” ― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland poetry is NOT prose

Lines: rows of words that do not always follow the rules of capitalization and punctuation that you see in other types of writing. Example: who knows if the moon’s a balloon,coming out of a keen city in the sky—filled with pretty people? (and if you and i should get into it,if they should take me and take you into their baloon, e.e. cummings

Stanzas: groups of lines set apart by spaces, like a paragraph Example: The Tyger by William Blake Tyger! Tyger! burning bright In the forests of the night, What immortal hand or eye Could frame thy fearful symmetry? In what distant deeps or skies Burnt the fire of thine eyes? On what wings dare he aspire? What the hand dare seize the fire?

Rhyme: describes words with the same sound ending. Rhyme Scheme: certain lines follow a clear pattern. Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost Nature’s first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf’s a flower; But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay.

Sound Devices Poets play with the sounds of words to create certain effects. Rhythm Meter Repetition Alliteration

Rhythm Stressed and unstressed syllables in a line

Meter recurring pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables Ex: ………...1................... 2......................3........................4................... 5 Shall.I..|..com.PARE..|..thee.TO..|..a.SUM..|..mer’s DAY?

Repetition repeating words or line to reinforce meaning or theme. Ex: Busy as a BEE!

Alliteration Repetition of an initial consonant sound

Figurative Language figure of speech used to create word pictures, or images. simile metaphor Hyperbole onomatopoeia personification symbolism imagery

Simile: comparison that uses the words “like” or “as.” Example: She is as sad as a rainy day Explanation: Her mood is compared to a rainy day.

Metaphor: comparison that doesn’t use like or as. Example: When Mariam complains, she is a squeaky wheel. Explanation: Mariam is being compared to a squeaky wheel.

Hyperbole Figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion or to create a comic effect Example: That joke is so old; the last time I heard it I was riding on a dinosaur. I am so hungry I could eat a horse. “It was so cold that I saw polar bears wearing jackets”

Onomatopoeia Words that sound like their meaning. Examples: Boom Ring Sprinkle Squirt KAZOOM!

Personification: when human qualities are assigned to non-human things. Example: The wind roared through the alley. Explanation: The wind sounded as if it were roaring.