1. Free Verse No Rules Allowed

2. History Free Verse appeared in 1915 Walt Witman and Emily Dickenson are well known for being early writers of free verse poetry.

3. History continued In the 20’s and 30’s the writers of the Harlem Renaissance were well known for the use of free verse in poetry Beatnik’s of the 50’s and 60’s helped to popularize free verse Some important writers from these two groups are: Allen Ginsbourg, William S. Burroughs, Jack Kerouac, E.E. Cummings, and Langston Hughes

4. A Quote! Richard Aldington said: “We do not insist upon 'free-verse' as the only method of writing poetry. We fight for it as for a principle of liberty.” What is the significance of this quote?

5. Your Turn! At your table, come up with your own definition of free verse Be sure to include its purpose (what this form is used for) You have four minutes

6. Langston Hughes An important writer during the Harlem Renaissance His work spoke to the feelings of people in Harlem community, as well as African American’s all over the country. Wrote six children’s books Published over 30 books of poetry, fiction, and non fiction Has written 13 major plays

7. Juke Box Love Song I could take the Harlem night and wrap around you, Take the neon lights and make a crown, Take the Lenox Avenue busses, Taxis, subways, And for your love song tone their rumble down. Take Harlem's heartbeat, Make a drumbeat, Put it on a record, let it whirl, And while we listen to it play, Dance with you till day-- Dance with you, my sweet brown Harlem girl.

8. An Example! The following is a clip of free verse poetry performed in the movie Madea’s Family Reunion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS7SJnQw _sA&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS7SJnQw _sA&feature=related

9. Allen Ginsburg A well known writer of the Beat Generation Like many authors of this time period, he was known as a political activist Wrote over 20 books of poetry

10. Fourth Floor, Dawn, Up All Night Writing Letters Pigeons shake their wings on the copper church roof out my window across the street, a bird perched on the cross surveys the city's blue-grey clouds. Larry Rivers ‘ll come at 10 AM and take my picture. I'm taking your picture, pigeons. I'm writing you down, Dawn. I'm immortalizing your exhaust, Avenue A bus. O Thought! Now you'll have to think the same thing forever!

11. An Example! This is a clip from She’s All That when Freddy Prince Jr. does an impromptu free verse performance piece. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCVeUaR8 RRU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCVeUaR8 RRU

12. You be the Author! Write a free verse poem – It must be at least two quatrains long – You will have the rest of the class to finish your work