Introduction to Poetry Key Terms

Standard ELACC8RL4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.

What is a Poem? A poem is a verbal composition created in verse rather than prose Prose is ordinary writing that relies on sentences and paragraphs. Verse is writing that happens in lines or stanzas. It is not confined to paragraphs.

Line A line is a row of words within a poem. A line might be very long, or it might be as short as one word, or even one letter. One complete thought might be split up over several lines, so a reader shouldn’t necessarily pause at the end each line. It might flow right into the next one with no stop. Pause when you reach punctuation.

1. How many lines? 2. Where should the reader pause? If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin Unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain. - Emily Dickinson

Stanza A stanza is one group of lines within a poem. A stanza can be made of as many lines as the poet desires. Stanzas are usually separated by a horizontal gap of space on a page. A poem might have one stanza or many stanzas. The form each stanza follows does not have to match, but it can.

How Many Stanzas I have eatenThis is Just To Say the plumsby: William Carlos Williams that were in the icebox and which you were probably saving for breakfast Forgive me they were delicious so sweet and so cold

Rhyme A rhyme is 2 or more words that end with the same vowel sound. Poems can rhyme, but they don’t have to. Rhyming words can be found in a Rhyming Dictionary

Rhyme Scheme Rhyme Scheme is the pattern in which a poem’s rhymes are arranged. Some poems have a very rigid, predictable rhyme scheme pattern Some poems have no rhyme scheme at all

Labeling Rhyme Scheme We label rhyme scheme by calling the first line “A.” Every line in that stanza that rhymes with “A” is labeled “A.” The first line that does NOT rhyme with “A” is labeled “B.” Every line that rhymes with “B” is labeled “B.” Continue going through the alphabet until you run out of lines in the stanza. Start over with “A” in the next stanza. We name the rhyme scheme after the pattern

Example: A Hippo is Bounding… A hippo is bounding around on my head. Gorillas are banging on drums. A rhino is charging me full speed ahead while a crocodile's eyeing my thumbs. A rattlesnake's winding his way up my side. A tiger is sniffing my clothes. A grizzly just grabbed me, his mouth open wide. A tarantula's perched on my nose. I'm drowning, surrounded by man-eating sharks. An elephant sits on my chest. Yes, that's how it feels when the teacher remarks, "Grab your pencils. It's time for the test." --Kenn Nesbitt

Free Verse Free Verse is when a poem has no set rhyme or pattern. The verse does not conform to a specified number of lines or syllables. It may have no rhyme whatsoever, though the author may occasionally throw a rhyme in here and there. The rhyme, however, will NOT have a pattern.

Free Verse Example Sunset by: Lillian Moore There's dazzle in the western sky Colors spill and run The pond mouth lies open greedy for the last drop of melting sun

Sound How does a poem appeal to the ear?

Standard ELACC8RL4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.

Sound Many poems are built around sound. The poet attempts to create wording that is catchy to the ear.

Rhythm Rhythm is the beat of a poem. Many poems have strong patterns of beat that make the poem sound almost like is has a chant.

Rhyme The pattern of rhyme in a poem can affect the way it sounds.

End Rhyme End rhyme is when the rhymes occur at the end of lines in a poem. End rhyme is what creates rhyme scheme.

Example

Couplets Couplets are pairs of rhyming lines. The poem will be arranged so that the pairs are continually grouped one after the other.

A Wish For You If I could grant a wish for you, You would get a thrill or two. May all your lucky numbers win the lottery. May you discover beautiful, ancient pottery. May you be able to act and sing. May life bring you every good thing. May you eat chocolate and candy, too. May each dish of ice cream be just for you. May you always have money and never be poor. May you always have peace and never know war. Oh, if I could grant a wish for you, You would get a thrill or two.

Internal Rhyme Internal rhyme is when rhyme occurs within lines of a poem rather than just at the end of lines Sometimes words within a line will rhyme with words at the end of a line.

Example The Cloud by Percy Bysshe Shelly (An excerpt) I bring fresh showers for the thirsting flowers, From the seas and the streams; I bear light shade for the leaves when laid In their noonday dreams. From my wings are shaken the dews that waken The sweet buds every one, When rocked to rest on their mother's breast, As she dances about the sun. I wield the flail of the lashing hail, And whiten the green plains under, And then again I dissolve it in rain, And laugh as I pass in thunder.

Repetition Repetition is when an author repeats words, phrases, or lines to build or emphasize an effect.

Example

Alliteration Alliteration is using words that begin with the same sound together.

Example A tree toad loved a she-toad Who lived up in a tree. He was a two-toed tree toad But a three-toed toad was she. The two-toed tree toad tried to win The three-toed she-toad’s heart, For the two-toed tree toad loved the ground That the three-toed tree toad trod. But the two-toed tree toad tried in vain. He couldn’t please her whim. From her tree toad bower With her three-toed power The she-toad vetoed him.

Onomatopoeia Onomatopoeia is using words that sound exactly like the sound that they represent. Example: Pow, Crash, Moo, Vroom, Tap, Click, Quack, Plop, Splash, etc.

Example The rusty spigot--Eve Merriam sputters, utters a splutter, spatters a smattering of drops, gashes wider; splashes, splatters, scatters, spurts, finally stops sputtering and splash! Gushes, rushes, splashes, clear water dashes.

Task Requirement: Create a poem that uses 2 sound techniques (end rhyme, couplets, internal rhyme, alliteration, rhythm, onomatopoeia, repetition). Topic: Author’s choice Form: Author’s choice