How to Write an Ode

What is an Ode? Generally defined as a rhymed poem or irregular meter (eHow, Inc., 2010). An exalted lyric poem, aiming at loftier thought, more dignified expression, and more intricate formal structure than most lyrics (School Link, 2010). A form of stately and elaborate lyrical verse (Gardiner, 2007). The pattern of an ode is that it describes a scene, then focuses on a problem or a particular situation and then arrives at a conclusion which is made by returning to the original scene or statement (tipDeck.com, 2010).

First, Select a subject to write about: person, place, or thing. You can write an ode about a city, a person, a flower, or even a pen.

Second, Write phrases describing how your subject makes you feel and why you feel this way. Analyze all those attributes that you shall be praising in your ode. Make a list of all the attributes that you can think of about the ode’s topic. (TipDeck.com, 2010)

Third, Write many phrases telling unique qualities of your subject. Explain why your subject is important to you and why you adore it so much! Join some of your phrases into lines for your ode. Keep in mind that some odes contain several stanzas that have a typical rhyme scheme. Will you have a rhyme scheme in your ode? (TipDeck.com, 2010)

Fourth, Revise your lines following these steps: Take away any lines that are too similar Add more feeling to any meaningless lines Pick a good opening line or sentence Order the remaining lines into their best sequence Select a good closing line that clearly expresses your feelings about the subject (Think Quest, 2010)

And finally, Read your ode aloud to see if the flow of your poem is seamless and that it makes sense. Allow others to read your ode and make some suggested changes. Rewrite your ode in a final draft and maybe even add an illustration. (TipDeck.com, 2010)

To Autumn by John Keats SEASON of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun; Consipiring with him how to load and bless With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run; To bend with apples the moss’d cottage-trees, And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core; To swell the gourd, and plump the hazels hells With a sweet kernel; to set budding more, And still more, later flowers for the bees, Until they think warm days will never cease, For Summer has o’er-brimm’d their clammy cells.

References eHow, Inc., (2010). How to write an ode. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/how_16706_write-ode.html School Link, (2010). Lesson plan: writing an ode. Retrieved from http://www.schoollink.org/csd/pages/engl/ode.html Think Quest, (2010). On your toes with odes. Retrieved from http://library.thinkquest.org/4382/odes.html Gardiner, R. (2007). Writing an ode!!!. Retrieved from http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/article.html?id=609 TipDeck.com, (2010). How to Write an ode. Retrieved from http://tipdeck.com/how-to-write-an-ode