1. AN INTRODUCTION TO
POETRY

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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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!

7. 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
hyperbole- exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
sensory- draws on our senses of touch, taste, smell, sight and sound

8. FORMS OF POETRY

9. 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)

10. 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

11. Enjambed
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

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

13. 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

14. FORM POEMS

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

16. Form Poem Example

17. Form Poem Example

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

19. 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!!!!!!!!

20. HAIKU

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

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

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

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

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

26. CINQUAIN

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

28. 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

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

30. 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

31. LIMERICK

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

33. 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!'

34. 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.

35. 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

36. 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