1. ELEMENTS OF POETRY A poet’s tools of the craft

2. POETS AND PUNCTUATION Poets use punctuation in poetry to cluster ideas and communicate meaning. The semicolon combines two like ideas without adding the finality of a period. A period ends a thought and creates a dramatic effect. The comma marks a pause, and may build on or clarify something previously stated. An exclamation point adds emphasis. The dash indicates anticipation of something to follow.

3. ELEMENTS OF POETRY Rhyme Scheme -consistent pattern of rhyme throughout a poem. Alliteration- the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words that are close together.Blank Verse -unrhymed verse Diction- a writer’s or speaker’s choice of words. Figurative Language- imaginative language that is not meant to be interpreted literally.Free Verse -a kind of poetry that does not follow any regular pattern, rhythm, or rhyme.Imagery -descriptive of figurative language used to create word pictures; created by details that appeal to one or more of the five senses.Refrain -a regularly repeated word, phrase, line, or group of lines.

4. Rhythm- the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in spoken or written language. Stanza- a group of lines, usually similar in length and patterns. Verse- a unit of poetry, such as a line or a stanza. Mood or Tone- the feeling the reader gets from the poem. Symbolism- when something represents or stands for something else. Meter -the rhythm or beat established by a poem. Rhyme -words have the same ending sound. Assonance- words that have the same middle sound.

5. CONNOTATION VS. DENOTATION Connotation-the suggested or implied meaning or emotion associated with a word-beyond the definition. These can be positive or negative. Denotation-the exact, literal meaning of a word-dictionary definition. Example: Postpone, Delay and Procrastinate all have the denotation of to put off until a later time. However, they all have a different connotation. Postpone implies to reschedule due to something unexpected, delay implies holding off for a short amount of time, and procrastinate implies putting off something undesirable. What about these words? Do they have a positive or negative connotation? Screech, holler, grab, obtain, discontinue, quit, brainy, intelligent, aware, alert

6. ANALYZING A POEM-TPCASTT T-Title—what does it mean? P-Paraphrase—Restate what it means in your own words C-Connotation—What does this poem suggest beyond the literal meaning? A-Attitude—Observe both the speaker’s and the poem’s tone S-Shift—Shifts(changes) in person, place and/or attitude in the poem T-Title Revisited—Examine again on an interpretive level T-Theme—the message about life implied in the poem.