1. English 8 Voice Unit How to Write Good Poetry

2. What is Poetry? PoetryProse Fewer words Contains rhyme / rhythm Often has deeper, hidden meaning Can be about universal themes Can be about the small moments in life Line Breaks Poetry is often meant to be read out loud Emphasis on figurative language Writing goes until the end of the space Many words Have more “room” to make your point Rhyme / rhythm not important Breaks exist in the form of sentences

3. Why Write Poetry? Poetry can be cool because: Every word matters and is carefully chosen Grammar and mechanics rules can (and are) broken You have a deeper meaning to express, which makes it mysterious There’s a lot of room for creativity and self-expression. You can play with figurative language and imagery.

4. How to Write Good Poetry Choose your words carefully. They are all important and have meaning. Line breaks: Poetry doesn’t go until the end of the page. As an author, you choose to break the line sooner. Option 1: You break the line on an important word. “I love the hour before takeoff, that stretch of no time, no home” - “Vacation”, Rita Dove

5. Line Breaks Poetry doesn’t go until the end of the page. As an author, you choose to break the line sooner. Option 1: You break the line on an important word. “I love the hour before takeoff, that stretch of no time, no home” - “Vacation”, Rita Dove “I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes,” - “I, Too, Sing America”, Langston Hughes

6. Line Breaks, Cont’d. Option 2: You break the line to make the important word isolated. Ex: “a good poem is a hot turkey sandwich when you’re hungry,” - “Defining the Magic”, Billy Collins Ex: “Happiness. It comes on Unexpectedly.” - “Happiness”, Raymond Carver

7. Line Breaks, Cont’d. Option 3: You break the line to create a certain pattern (like a rhyme): Ex: “There is a place where the sidewalk ends And before the street begins, And there the grass grows soft and white, And there the sun burns crimson bright, And there the moon-bird rests from his flight To cool in the peppermint wind.” - “Where the Sidewalk Ends”, Shel Silverstein

8. Experimentation There is no right or wrong way to write a poem (except for when you accidentally write prose). We will be experimenting with poetry and how to use poetry to express certain types of figurative language. Your job is to keep an open mind and be willing to work and rework a poem until it really speaks to you and to your audience. Everyone can be a good poet!!