1. Teacher Notes

4. Forms of Poetry - Introduction
Throughout history, poets have written poetry in many different forms. Some of these forms are known as ‘fixed verse’ while others are known as ‘free verse’.
Fixed verse forms have a distinct structure. They may also have a distinct rhythm and rhyming pattern. When writing a poem in a fixed form, you must follow the pre-established rules for that particular type of poetry.
Let’s now examine some of the most common and well-known forms of poetry, as well as some of the guidelines to follow when writing each form.

5. Acrostic Purpose Acrostic poems describe a particular topic. Structure
Acrostic poems contain a topic word, written vertically down the page. Each letter of the word begins a new description.
Rhyming Pattern
Acrostic poems do not usually rhyme.

6. Acrostic – The Witch
Whizzing through the night sky In and out, she weaves through the clouds Tightly grasping her broomstick Casting her mystical spells Hiding in darkness

7. Acrostic – Analysis
Whizzing through the night sky In and out, she weaves through the clouds Tightly grasping her broomstick Casting her mystical spells Hiding in darkness
Descriptions
Topic

8. Kennings Purpose Kennings poems describe a particular topic. Structure
Kennings poems can have several verses. Each verse usually has three lines which contain two words describing the topic.
Rhyming Pattern
Kennings poems do not usually rhyme.

9. Kennings – The Spider
Web-maker Insect-stalker Creepy-crawler Hairy-hider Skilful-climber Fear-inducer

10. Kennings – Analysis
Verses with three lines each
Web-maker Insect-stalker Creepy-crawler Hairy-hider Skilful-climber Fear-inducer
Two descriptive words per line

11. Haiku Purpose Haiku poems describe a particular topic. Structure
Haiku poems have three lines. The first and third lines have five syllables and the second line has seven syllables.
Rhyming Pattern
Haiku poems do not usually rhyme.

12. Petals red as blood Fragrant perfume fills the air A delicate rose
Haiku – The Rose
Petals red as blood Fragrant perfume fills the air A delicate rose

13. Petals red as blood Fragrant perfume fills the air A delicate rose
Haiku – Analysis
Petals red as blood Fragrant perfume fills the air A delicate rose
seven syllables
five syllables

14. Cinquain Purpose Cinquain poems describe a particular topic. Structure
Cinquain poems have five lines. Each line uses descriptive words and phrases to create images of the topic.
Rhyming Pattern
Cinquain poems do not usually rhyme.

15. Cinquain - Snowflakes
Snowflakes Graceful, intricate Floating, dancing, falling Perfect in their uniqueness Flawless

16. Cinquain – Analysis
Snowflakes Graceful, intricate Floating, dancing, falling Perfect in their uniqueness Flawless
Title
Two descriptive words
Three action words
A feeling about the title
A synonym for the title

17. Shape Poems Purpose Shape poems describe a particular object.
Structure
Shape poems are written in the shape of the object they describe. They have no other formal structure.
Rhyming Pattern
Shape poems do not usually rhyme.

18. Shape Poem - Raindrops
A raindrop slips down my silent face. It falls so gently off my cheek. Now gone.

19. Written to create the shape of a raindrop
Shape Poem – Analysis
A raindrop slips down my silent face. It falls so gently off my cheek. Now gone.
Written to create the shape of a raindrop

20. Odes express thoughts and feelings about a person or object.
Purpose
Odes express thoughts and feelings about a person or object.
Structure
Odes can have several lines, or several verses. Imagery, such as simile, metaphor and personification, is usually included.
Rhyming Pattern
Traditional odes have a distinct rhythm and rhyming pattern; yet modern odes do not tend to follow these rules.

21. Ode – To Chocolate
Oh, chocolate! You are the sweetest of all treats, Texture as soft and smooth as silk, A ball of happiness on my tongue. My heart smiles with every taste, Feeding and warming my soul, Oh, how I adore you!

22. Ode – Analysis
Oh, chocolate! You are the sweetest of all treats, Texture as soft and smooth as silk, A ball of happiness on my tongue. My heart smiles with every taste, Feeding and warming my soul, Oh, how I adore you!
simile
metaphor
personification

23. Limericks are nonsense poems, meant to make people laugh.
Purpose
Limericks are nonsense poems, meant to make people laugh.
Structure
Limericks have five lines. The first, second and fifth lines have the same number of syllables, as do the third and fourth lines.
Rhyming Pattern
Limericks have rhythm, created by the number of syllables in each line. They also follow an aabba rhyming pattern.

24. Limerick – The Old Lady From Rome
There was an old lady from Rome, Who never could find her way home. She would walk down the street, Getting very sore feet, That silly old lady from Rome!

25. Limerick – Analysis
There was an old lady from Rome, Who never could find her way home. She would walk down the street, Getting very sore feet, That silly old lady from Rome!
The character
The situation
Plot development
Summary

26. Ballads are narrative poems, intended to tell a story.
Purpose
Ballads are narrative poems, intended to tell a story.
Structure
Ballads can have several verses. Each verse has four lines. Sometimes, verses may be repeated throughout the poem.
Rhyming Pattern
Ballads have rhythm, created by the number of syllables in each line. They usually follow an abcb rhyming pattern.

27. Ballad – The Park
I went for a walk to the park one day, And what do you think I found? A busy bee stuck up in a tree, And a bee hive down on the ground! I bravely walked up to that bee hive, And what do you think I did? I poked that hive and it came alive, So I ran away and I hid!

28. Ballad – Analysis I went for a walk to the park one day,
And what do you think I found?
A busy bee stuck up in a tree,
And a bee hive down on the ground!
I bravely walked up to that bee hive,
And what do you think I did?
I poked that hive and it came alive,
So I ran away and I hid!
Verses with four lines in each