Poetry

Poetry is the universal language….

Poetry is the most direct and simple means of expressing oneself in

word.

Dead Poet’s Society

Let’s take a look at the movie clips and find out how the boys in a private school respond to poetry. Dead Poet's Society\DPS - Rip.wmv

Dead Poet's Society\DPS - Poetry Reading.wmv

Alliteration

The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.

Purpose: It places emphasis on certain words that the poet wants readers to pay attention to. It also gives the poem rhythm.

Example: The ruby red rose had fallen to its death.

Form

a poem’s appearance; the form is also how you write your stanzas. Will you have two line stanzas, four line stanzas, etc?

Purpose: gives the poem meaning and helps to emphasize words, phrases, or stanzas

Example: A concrete poem is a perfect example of how to use your words to create a certain form.

Imagery

Description that allows a reader to see, hear, feel, smell, and taste the scene described in the work

Purpose: to help readers visualize the text and picture it in their head

Example: Poem from T.S. Eliot “Preludes”

What words would you highlight that show imagery?

THE WINTER evening settles downWith smell of steaks in

passageways.Six o’clock.The burnt-out ends of smoky days.And now a gusty shower

wraps        The grimy scrapsOf withered leaves about your feetAnd newspapers from vacant lots;The showers beatOn broken blinds and chimney-

pots,        And at the corner of the streetA lonely cab-horse steams and

stamps.And then the lighting of the lamps. 

THE WINTER evening settles downWith smell of steaks in

passageways.Six o’clock.The burnt-out ends of smoky days.And now a gusty shower

wraps        The grimy scrapsOf withered leaves about your feetAnd newspapers from vacant lots;The showers beatOn broken blinds and chimney-

pots,        And at the corner of the streetA lonely cab-horse steams and

stamps.And then the lighting of the lamps. 

Metaphor/Simile

Metaphor: Comparing two unlike things without using “like” or “as” (calling one thing something else)

Simile: Comparing two unlike things using “like” or “as”

Purpose – helps reader visualize your scene in a different way

Example – Her hair is the sun. Her hair is like the sun.

Onomatopoeia

Use of a word or phrase that actually imitates or suggests the sound of what it describes.

Purpose – writers use onomatopoeia to convey sounds for words and to put emphasis on certain parts of the scene.

Sounds of Onomatopoeia

Personification

When an animal, object, or idea is given human form or characteristics

Example: Awakening to the risen sun, the rested trees

stretched their limbs heavenward.

Purpose: Personification can assist with imagery and emotion and helps to extend some metaphors. One of the strongest reasons for personifying an object is to make a connection with the reader. When a tree or the sound of silence bears attributes that are familiar to the reader, an immediate connection sparks in the reader’s mind or emotions.

Example: Geico

Repetition When a poet uses the same words or phrases over and over again.

Example: Apologize by One RepublicYouTube - "Apologize" One Republic Music Video

I'm holding on your rope, Got me ten feet off the ground I'm hearin what you say but I just can't make a sound You tell me that you need me Then you go and cut me down, but wait You tell me that you're sorry Didn't think I'd turn around, and say...

It's too late to apologize, it's too late I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late

It's too late to apologize, it's too late I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late too late to apologize, yeah I said it's too late to apologize, yeah- I'm holdin on your rope, got me ten feet off the ground...

What is the purpose of repeating certain words or phrases?

Rhyme Scheme

The pattern of a poem that uses end rhymes (aabbcc)

Bid me to weep, and I will weep,While I have eyes to see; And having none, yet I will keep A heart to weep for thee.

What is the rhyme scheme?

Rhythm

The pattern created by the arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables. It gives poetry a musical quality that helps convey meaning.

Stanza

A group of lines forming a unit in a poem. Stanzas are the paragraphs of a poem.

Purpose – gives the poem form and it is a way of organizing your thoughts.

I’m Nobody! Who are you? By Emily Dickinson

I’m Nobody! Who are you?Are you-Nobody-Too?

Then there’s a pair of us!Don’t tell! They’d advertise-you know!

How dreary-to be-Somebody!How public-like a Frog-

To tell one’s name-the livelong June-To an admiring Bog!

Symbolism

When a person, place, object, or action stands for something else.

What do these pictures symbolize?

Theme

A poem’s central or main idea that gives insight about life or human nature.

Read the following poem and identify the

theme.

Please Mrs. ButlerThis boy Derek DrewKeeps copying my work, Miss.What shall I do?

Go and sit in the hall, dear.Go and sit in the sink.Take your books on the roof, my lamb.Do whatever you think.

Please Mrs. ButlerThis boy Derek DrewKeeps calling me rude names, Miss.What shall I do?

Lock yourself in the cupboard, dear.Run away to sea.Do whatever you can, my flower.But don't ask me!

Narrative Poem

A poem that tells a story

Example:

John Barleycornby

Robert Burns

There was three kings into the east, Three kings both great and high,

And they have sworn a solemn oath

John Barleycorn should die.

Free Verse

Poetry that has no fixed pattern of meter, rhyme, line length, or stanza arrangement

Fogby Carl Sandburg

The fog comeson little cat feet.

It sits lookingover harbor and cityon silent haunchesand then moves on.

What poetry devices do you see in this poem?