1. Making good poetry…like butta’
Poetic Devices
Making good poetry…like butta’

2. How to Read a Poem Title Read through What you know Patterns Changes
Narrator
Out loud!

3. Simile A comparison of unlike things using the words like or as
“She stood in front of the alter, shaking like a freshly caught trout.”--Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Create a simile of your own

4. Metaphor A comparison of two unlike things not using like or as
He was a lion, proud and strong
Make a metaphor of your own!
The purpose of a simile or metaphor is to help the reader gain understanding of an unknown thing

5. Alliteration The repetition of a consonant sound (b, k, z, c, f, etc.)
George jumps joyfully!
Create an example of your own
Remember that the alliteration does not have to be the same letter, only the same sound!

6. Personification
Describing an animal, object or idea as if it were a person
The wall whispered secrets it had heard the night before.
Create your own example of personification
Keep in mind that normal activities, like a mouse eating, would not be considered personification!

7. Industrial Revolution
Write down 5 things you remember about the Industrial Revolution, urbanization, modernization, technological advances
Create a chart on your paper-4 boxes; place the title of each poem in each box
Create the same chart on each side of your paper
Label one chart 1st reading, and the other 2nd reading

8. Chart Example 1st Reading “Chicago” -What the title means
-What the poem means
-Impression of the poem
“A Black Man Talks of Reaping”
“I Hear America Singing”
-circle & define words you don’t know
-Star passages you don’t understand
-underline poetic devices
“Prayers of Steel”

9. What to do You will be working on the 1st reading side of your chart
Read the title--what do you think it means?
Read the poem to yourself
Go back through the poem
Circle any words you do not know
Put a start next to any line/passage you don’t understand
Underline any poetic device you find

10. What to do Define vocab words (put definition by the word)
On your chart:
What do you think the poem means?
Who or what do you think the poem is about?
What is your first impression of the poem?
4-5 sentences total