1. Odes or Praise Poems

3. Praise of Shulgi I am greatly expert in assigning work with the pickaxe and the brick-mould, in drawing plans, in laying foundations, and in writing cuneiform inscriptions on pedestals; I can make things absolutely clear on tablets of lapis lazuli. I also have a solidly based knowledge of… counting, accounting, and planning of the Land. When I was small, I was at the academy, where I learned the scribal art from the tablets of Sumer and Akkad. None of the nobles could write on clay as I could…I am an experienced scribe who does not neglect a thing.

4. I Am...What I Am (Praise Poem Of Myself) I am a 5'2' child of God, Descended from the very first man And lasting until the end of time. I may be short on the outside, But on the inside, I am a surprise package, Full of the strength of ten, A Superman, Able to leap tall buildings In a single bound, A Paul Bunyan hero, Striding through the forest of life! A spider has nothing on me, For I, too, spin my webs! Webs which hold those I love Tightly to my heart. I am like a Venus Flytrap, Keeping close to myself All that is mine. I am a cream colored opal, Sparkling fire in all directions. Silver haired, And wise in my age, I go striding through life, Hurrying to my next adventure. Linda Treat

5. What is an Ode? ode |o ̄ d| (noun) a lyric poem in the form of an address to a particular subject, often elevated in style or manner and written in varied or irregular meter.

6. What is an Ode or a Praise Poem? An ode is a poem in praise of a person, place or object that is usually identified in the title. It describes a scene, focuses on a problem or a situation and arrives at a conclusion that returns to the original scene or statement. Praise poems praise their subjects in exaggerated ways. Originally, the ode was a serious poetic form, but modern odes often are written in praise of the ordinary.

7. Ode to French Fries What sizzles in boiling oil is the world’s pleasure: French fries go into the pan like the mornings swan’s snowy feathers and emerge half-golden from the olive’s crackling amber.

8. Garlic lends them its earthy aroma, its spice, its pollen that braved the reefs. Then, dressed anew in ivory suits, they fill our plates with repeated abundance, and the delicious simplicity of the soil. By Pablo Neruda

9. What is a Ode? Translation: A famous kind of poem where you take something or someone you really, really love or know a lot about (a famous person, food, a place, a sport, a hobby--anything) and pay tribute to it in an exaggerated way by basically "bringing it to life" and speaking to it. It doesn't have to rhyme or have rhythm.

10. O DE TO A M ANGO F RESH FROM THE TREE I PLUCK YOU DOWN, M Y KNIFE SCRATCHES O FF YOUR SKIN. Y OU BLEED, T HE JUICE POURS F ROM YOU L IKE BLOOD POURS F ROM A FRESH WOUND. I SINK MY TEETH IN, T HE JUICE D RIPS D OWN M Y C HIN.

11. M Y TASTE BUDS SMILE. T HEY HAVE BEEN WAITING F OR THIS TASTE TOO L ONG. I SINK MY TEETH I NTO YOUR ORANGE FLESH, I HEAR MY TASTE BUDS C HEER WITH JOY. I REACH YOUR PIT L IKE MY BONES I T IS HARD. I GNAW ON YOU STRINGY INSIDES L ITTLE BY LITTLE, I KEEP G NAWING ON YOUR C ORE, LIKE A DOG GNAWS O N A FRESH STEAK B ONE THAT ’ S J UST BEEN THROWN T O HIM.

12. T HEN I TOSS YOU T O THE GROUND, I REACH UP AND GRAB Y OUR BROTHER, AND I T ’ S A WHOLE GREAT FEELING A LL OVER AGAIN. B Y T HOMAS W OOLSON 2006

13. The Challenge You are to write an ode or a praise poem to an Ancient Greek or about some aspect of Ancient Greece. Your job is to celebrate them.

14. Tips for writing an Ode or Praise Poem Choose a subject you have strong feelings about or a person you know a lot about from the Greek Unit. Your Great Greek or some other aspect of Ancient Greece are good places to choose from. Describe your subject inside and out. Exaggerate its admirable qualities, until it seems to become central to human existence. Tap all five senses--if they fit. (don't force it) Use metaphors and similes.

15. More tips for writing… At times, directly address the subject of your ode. Tell your feelings about the subject and describe its qualities. Choose strong words: language that's packed with meaning

16. Poetic Techniques Alliteration Rhyme Onomatopoeia Personification Rhythm Simile Metaphor Hyperbole

17. Poetic Technique What a “4” Looks LikeYour Score Ode or Praise PoemCreatively and effectively uses the appropriate poetic form. 1 2 3 4 Word ChoiceStudent’s use of vocabulary is precise, vivid, and paints a strong clear and complete picture in the reader’s mind. 1 2 3 4 Poetic Techniques UsedEffectively uses 3 poetic techniques to create a strong image. 1 2 3 4 GUMHas grade-level appropriate spelling, grammar, and punctuation; contains few, if any, errors that do not interfere with the reader’s understanding. 1 2 3 4 EffortStudent’s work demonstrates a complete understanding of the assignment and goes beyond the requirements 1 2 3 4 Photo or IllustrationEffective and creative use of an illustration enhances the poem’s meaning. 1 2 3 4 PresentationPresentation brings your subject to life. 12 3 4 Reflection: Write a few sentences about how your poem turned out. What ideas or lines are you happy about or proud of? What did you struggle with or find hard?

18. Poetic Technique What a “4” Looks LikeYour Score Ode or Praise PoemCreatively and effectively uses the appropriate poetic form. 1 2 3 4 Word ChoiceStudent’s use of vocabulary is precise, vivid, and paints a strong clear and complete picture in the reader’s mind. 1 2 3 4 Poetic Techniques UsedEffectively uses 3 poetic techniques to create a strong image. 1 2 3 4 GUMHas grade-level appropriate spelling, grammar, and punctuation; contains few, if any, errors that do not interfere with the reader’s understanding. 1 2 3 4 EffortStudent’s work demonstrates a complete understanding of the assignment and goes beyond the requirements 1 2 3 4 Photo or IllustrationEffective and creative use of an illustration enhances the poem’s meaning. 1 2 3 4 PresentationPresentation brings your subject to life. 12 3 4

19. The End