AN INTRODUCTION TO POETRY

What is poetry? A type of writing Art Succinct Expressive Philosophy Fun

What are the main characteristics of poetry? form sound imagery figurative language ideas, feelings, sounds in few words

Form the way a poem looks arrangement on a page use of lines (sentence or fragment) groups of lines form stanzas stanzas are usually separated by space Some have formal structure (four lines per stanza, 5 syllables per line, etc.) Informal form is called free verse

Sound rhyme- repeated sounds at the end of words or phrases internal rhyme- use of rhyming words within a line end rhyme- use of rhymes at the ends of lines or phrases rhythm/beat- pattern of sound using stressed and unstressed syllables meter- pattern of repeated sounds

Sound repetition- repeating sounds, words, phrases or lines of a poem alliteration- repeated consonant at the beginning of a word onomatopoeia- use of sounds words such as buzz, pop, or whamo!

Imagery figurative language- conveys meaning beyond the ordinary, literal meaning personification- giving human qualities to animals or objects simile- a comparison that uses like or as metaphor- a comparison that doesn’t use like or as

FORMS OF POETRY

Couplet Open Couplets Two lines Same meter and rhyme Used for Sonnet and Epic Poems Closed Couplets Same as above Must be “end stopped” (which means lines don’t run together)

End Stopped ~ Robert Southwell As I in hoary winter's night stood shivering in the snow, Surprised I was with sudden heat, which made my heart to glow; And lifting up a fearful eye to view what fire was near, A pretty babe all burning bright did in the air appear. ~ Robert Southwell

enjambled I am not prone to weeping, as our sex Commonly are; the want of which vain dew Perchance shall dry your pities; but I have That honourable grief lodged here which burns Worse than tears drown. ~William Shakespeare

Heroic Couplet Grouped in pairs Lines must rhyme Rhymed lines must end manly Uses “Iambic Pentameter” da DA da DA da DA da DA

Your Turn Write a couplet or series of couplets The topic can be any that you choose Ideas: Sharing the bathroom with family Sitting through a boring English class Playing a game Gum Tax

FORM POEMS

Form Poems Free verse May rhyme, may not Takes on the form of the theme

Form Poem Example

Form Poem Example

Your Turn Write a form poem You choose the topic Ideas: Facial hair The monument Baseball Politics Computers

Hay Que The overall look of hope of bubbly cuteness of the stuff puppies and other animalitos are made of was quite obviously rather obnoxiously overwhelmingly forming itself into a statement… “Hay que—” WHAMO!!!!!!!!

HAIKU

Haiku Syllabic meter 5-7-5 Has a nature theme Usually about the changing of seasons Doesn’t usually rhyme

Example of Haiku As the wind does blow Across the trees, I see the Buds blooming in May

Example of Haiku I walk across sand And find myself blistering In the hot, hot heat

Example of Haiku Falling to the ground, I watch a leaf settle down In a bed of brown.

Example of Haiku It’s cold—and I wait For someone to shelter me And take me from here.

Example of Haiku I hear crackling Crunch, of today’s new found day And know it won’t last So I will leave it At bay; and hope for the best This bitter new day

CINQUAIN

Cinquain 5 line poem Measureable meter (it’s the same formation every time) Descriptive poem “diamond” shaped

Noun Two Adjectives Three Gerund Words Short sentence Cinquain Noun Two Adjectives Three Gerund Words Short sentence Topic of poem Describe N. in Line 1 -ing words describing N. in line 1 Complete sentence about line 1 Synonym for line 1

Example of Cinquain Nature Beautiful, pure Refreshing, enjoying, relaxing Nature is healthy. Fun

Your Turn Write 3 Cinquain poems The topic can be your choice Ideas: cell phones Shoes Mr. J’s action/adventure hat Stomach aches from eating too much Valentine’s candy

LIMERICK

LIMERICK 5 line poem 1st, 2nd, and 5th lines rhyme, and have 7-10 Syllables 3rd and 4th lines rhyme, and have 5-7 Syllables Usually funny, non-serious Anapestic rhythm

Limerick Example There was an old man with a beard Who sad, ' it is just as I feared! Four larks and wren, Two owls and a hen, Have all built their nests in my beard!'

Limerick Example There was an Old Man who supposed, That the street door was partially closed; But some very large rats, Ate his coats and his hats, While that futile old gentleman dozed.

Limerick Example There once was a thingamajig— Like whatzits, but three times as big When it first came in view It looked something like you But it stayed and turned into a pig

Limerick Example There was a young fellow who thought Very little, but thought it a lot Then at long last he knew What he wanted to do, But before he could start he forgot