1. The only rule is to not follow the rules.
Free Verse
The only rule is to not follow the rules.

2. History Free verse first appeared in 1915
Early writers of free verse poetry include Walt Whitman and Emily Dickenson.
Dickenson
Whitman

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
Top: E. E. Cummings
Bottom: Jack Kerouac

4. Beatnik

5. Jukebox 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.

6. Something to think about...
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?

7. Your turn!
At your table, come up with your own definition of free verse
Be sure to include its purpose (what this form of poetry is used for)
You have 4 minutes

8. Free verse in music today! Taylor - Jack Johnson
Find and circle the sections of the song that fit the definition of free verse poetry!

9. For Homework! Read Miracles by Walt Whitman
Identify examples of alliteration and repetition
What is the point of including those examples?
For meaning?
For the flow and rhythm of the poem?
Is Whitman trying to prove a point?