ELEMENTS OF POETRY ELEMENTS OF POETRY

NOTESNOTES

BASIC TERMSBASIC TERMS

ProseProse: any written text that is not : any written text that is not in poetic formin poetic form

PoetryPoetry: art of expressing one: art of expressing one’’s s feelings/thoughts in poetic formfeelings/thoughts in poetic form

BASIC TERMSBASIC TERMSPoet- author of a poemPoet- author of a poem

* not every poem has an author* not every poem has an author

Speaker- narrator or voice of a Speaker- narrator or voice of a poempoem

* every poem has a speaker* every poem has a speaker

* can be a fictional or non-fictional* can be a fictional or non-fictional

AUTHOR’S PURPOSEAUTHOR’S PURPOSEThe poet has a The poet has a ““purposepurpose”” when writing a poem. when writing a poem.

1.1.share/express feelings/emotionsshare/express feelings/emotions

2.2.tell a story- (fictional or non-fictional)tell a story- (fictional or non-fictional)

3.3.be humorousbe humorous

4.4.convey a message to the readerconvey a message to the reader

5.5.describe somethingdescribe something

BASIC TERMSBASIC TERMSStanza- group of lines in a poemStanza- group of lines in a poem

* resembles paragraphs* resembles paragraphs

* gives poems structure/organization* gives poems structure/organization

* new stanzas often represent new ideas* new stanzas often represent new ideas

Types of StanzasTypes of Stanzas::

*couplet= 2 line stanza*couplet= 2 line stanza

* tercet= 3 line stanza * tercet= 3 line stanza

*quatrain= 4 line stanza*quatrain= 4 line stanza

* quintet= 5 line stanza* quintet= 5 line stanza

*sestet= 6 line stanza*sestet= 6 line stanza

* septet= 7 line stanza* septet= 7 line stanza

* octet= 8 line stanza* octet= 8 line stanza

PRACTICEPRACTICE

“Your World”Your world is as big as you make it.

I know, for I used to abideIn the narrowest nest in a corner,

My wings pressing close to my side.

But I sighted the distant horizonWhere the sky line encircled the seaAnd I throbbed with a burning desire

To travel this immensity.

I battered the cordons around meAnd cradled my wings on the breeze

Then soared to the uttermost reachesWith rapture, with power, with ease!

- George Douglas Johnson

1.How many lines in the above poem?2.How many stanzas in the above poem? 3.What type of stanzas is in the above poem?

3 Elements in Poetry3 Elements in Poetry

RhythmRhythm

RhymeRhyme

RepetitionRepetition

RHYTHMRHYTHMRhythm- pattern or flow of sound in a poem Rhythm- pattern or flow of sound in a poem

*gives poetry a lyrical feel*gives poetry a lyrical feel

Measuring Rhythm:Measuring Rhythm: * count the syllables for every word in each line* count the syllables for every word in each line

* look for regular/irregular patterns* look for regular/irregular patterns

Ex. What’s the rhythm (syllable count) for the following? Ex. What’s the rhythm (syllable count) for the following?

1. Union 91. Union 9thth Grade Center _____ Grade Center _____

2. Mrs. Stafford’s Freshmen English Class _____2. Mrs. Stafford’s Freshmen English Class _____

3. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious _____3. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious _____

RhymeRhymeRhymeRhyme- similar repeating sounds within a line(s) of poetry- similar repeating sounds within a line(s) of poetry

* 3 types of rhyme * 3 types of rhyme

1. 1. Approximate RhymeApproximate Rhyme- when two words- when two words’’ sounds are very close to sounds are very close to rhyming but not exactrhyming but not exact

a.k.a “Slant Rhyme”a.k.a “Slant Rhyme”

Ex. The sounds of the wireEx. The sounds of the wire

Distracted my mindDistracted my mind

Ex. Ex.

2. 2. End RhymeEnd Rhyme- rhymes that occur at the end of a line- rhymes that occur at the end of a line

EX: How statue-like I see thee standEX: How statue-like I see thee stand

The agate lamp within thy handThe agate lamp within thy hand

Ex. Ex.

3. 3. Internal RhymeInternal Rhyme-rhyming words that fall within a single line of poetry- -rhyming words that fall within a single line of poetry-

a.k.a “Middle Rhyme”a.k.a “Middle Rhyme”

EX: The feelings of sorrow bring forth the days of tomorrowEX: The feelings of sorrow bring forth the days of tomorrow

But never should I remember the depths of DecemberBut never should I remember the depths of December

Ex. Ex.

Rhyme Rhyme SchemeScheme

““Sonnet 65Sonnet 65”” by William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare

Since brass, nor stone, nor earth, nor boundless Since brass, nor stone, nor earth, nor boundless seasea,,But sad mortality o'er-sways their But sad mortality o'er-sways their powerpower,,How with this rage shall beauty hold a How with this rage shall beauty hold a pleaplea,,Whose action is no stronger than a Whose action is no stronger than a flower?flower?O, how shall summer's honey breath hold O, how shall summer's honey breath hold outoutAgainst the wreckful siege of battering Against the wreckful siege of battering daysdays,,When rocks impregnable are not so When rocks impregnable are not so stout,stout,Nor gates of steel so strong, but Time Nor gates of steel so strong, but Time decaysdecays??O fearful meditation! where, O fearful meditation! where, alackalack,,Shall Time's best jewel from Time's chest lie Shall Time's best jewel from Time's chest lie hidhid??Or what strong hand can hold his swift foot Or what strong hand can hold his swift foot backback??Or who his spoil of beauty can Or who his spoil of beauty can forbidforbid??O, none, unless this miracle have O, none, unless this miracle have might,might,That in black ink my love may still shine That in black ink my love may still shine brightbright..

• pattern or pattern or arrangement of arrangement of rhymes sounds within rhymes sounds within the words of each linethe words of each line

• can be regular or can be regular or irregular in patternirregular in pattern

• identified by assigning identified by assigning a different letter to the a different letter to the alphabet to each new alphabet to each new rhymerhyme

• adds a lyrical sound to adds a lyrical sound to poemspoems

PRACTICEPRACTICE Rhythm Rhyme SchemeRhythm Rhyme Scheme

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, ____ ____Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, ____ ____

Old time is still a-flying : ____Old time is still a-flying : ____ ____ ____

And this same flower that smiles to-day ____And this same flower that smiles to-day ____ ____ ____

To-morrow will be dying. To-morrow will be dying. ____ ____ ____ ____

The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun, ____The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun, ____ ____ ____

The higher he's a-getting, The higher he's a-getting, ____ ____ ____ ____

The sooner will his race be run, The sooner will his race be run, ____ ____ ____ ____

And nearer he's to setting. And nearer he's to setting. ____ ____ ____ ____

That age is best which is the first, ____That age is best which is the first, ____ ____ ____

When youth and blood are warmer ; ____When youth and blood are warmer ; ____ ____ ____

But being spent, the worse, and worst ____But being spent, the worse, and worst ____ ____ ____

  Times still succeed the former. Times still succeed the former. ____ ____ ____ ____

Then be not coy, but use your time, ____Then be not coy, but use your time, ____ ____ ____

And while ye may go marry : ____And while ye may go marry : ____ ____ ____

For having lost but once your prime ____For having lost but once your prime ____ ____ ____

You may for ever tarry. You may for ever tarry. ____ ____ ____ ____

1.1.How many lines? How many stanzas?How many lines? How many stanzas?

2.2.What type of stanza is the above poem?What type of stanza is the above poem?

3.3.What is the rhythm (syllable count) for the above poem?What is the rhythm (syllable count) for the above poem?

4.4.Is the rhythm pattern regular or irregular?Is the rhythm pattern regular or irregular?

5.5.What is the rhyme scheme for the above poem?What is the rhyme scheme for the above poem?

6.6.Is the rhyme scheme pattern regular or irregular?Is the rhyme scheme pattern regular or irregular?

Repetition- using the same key word, letter, sound, or groups of words throughout a poem

Alliteration- repetition of consonant (non- vowel) letters or sounds in two or more words in a line. The repetition must begin the word.

* a.k.a “tongue-twisters”

Ex. My friend Mandy will perform many new magic tricks.

Ex. She rarely sees any of her sisters from the South.

Ex.

REPETITION

ASSONANCE & CONSONANCE ASSONANCE & CONSONANCE AssonanceAssonance- repeated VOWEL sounds in a line or lines of poetry- repeated VOWEL sounds in a line or lines of poetry

EX. LakeEX. Lake FateFate BaseBase FadeFade (All share the long (All share the long ““aa”” sound.) sound.)

Examples of ASSONANCE:Examples of ASSONANCE:

Ex. Slow the low gradual moan came in the snowing.Ex. Slow the low gradual moan came in the snowing.

Ex. Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep. Ex. Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep.

Ex. Ex.

Consonance- repetition of consonant sounds at the middle or end of words•How are alliteration and consonance similar and different?

Ex. The man in the burgundy cumberbund ended his bland speech with a bow.

Ex. The snake slithered as it lathered soap over itself on the bathroom floor.

Ex.

Alliteration, Assonance, ConsonanceAlliteration, Assonance, ConsonanceThe Baker boys in the band are going to play at The Baker boys in the band are going to play at the ball. (alliteration) the ball. (alliteration)

We should leave before we see the film and pay We should leave before we see the film and pay more fees. (assonance)more fees. (assonance)

The two friends laughed although they were The two friends laughed although they were scared of the roughness of the storm. scared of the roughness of the storm. (consonance)(consonance)

Alliteration, Assonance, ConsonanceAlliteration, Assonance, Consonance Cara wanted Derek to be crowned the campus Cara wanted Derek to be crowned the campus football captain of Cedarville College. football captain of Cedarville College.

(alliteration)(alliteration)

The young boy who had just been stung by a bee The young boy who had just been stung by a bee called Doug to ask him to help lug the equipment called Doug to ask him to help lug the equipment before the bug returned. (assonance)before the bug returned. (assonance)

The coach wanted his team to catch the ball The coach wanted his team to catch the ball before it fell in the ditch, yet it was fetched by before it fell in the ditch, yet it was fetched by the team that outmatched us. (consonance)the team that outmatched us. (consonance)

ANAPHORAANAPHORA

repetition of a word or group of repetition of a word or group of words at the beginning of lines words at the beginning of lines

– It was the best of times,it was the worst of It was the best of times,it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair…spring of hope, it was the winter of despair…””

Ex. Ex.

POLYSYNDETONPOLYSYNDETONrepetition of a conjunction throughout a repetition of a conjunction throughout a piecepiece

creates a slower flow/rhythm effectcreates a slower flow/rhythm effect

Conjunctions- BOYSFANConjunctions- BOYSFAN

Ex: We all lived and laughed and loved Ex: We all lived and laughed and loved and left.and left.

Ex. Ex.

OTHER TERMS:OTHER TERMS: ONOMATOPOEIA ONOMATOPOEIA

““The FourthThe Fourth”” by Shel Silversteinby Shel Silverstein

OhOhCRASH!CRASH!

mymyBASH!BASH!

itit’’ssBANG!BANG!

the the ZANG!ZANG!FourthFourth

WHOOSH!WHOOSH!OfOf

BAROOM!BAROOM!JulyJuly

WHEW!WHEW!

•use of words that sound use of words that sound like the noises they like the noises they describedescribe

•livens up writinglivens up writing

•http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxFz4ckU3AI&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL354E77B72E6A3D7B

PunPun- - How punny is that?How punny is that?A play on words often meant to be humorous.A play on words often meant to be humorous.

Often uses homophones (words that sound the Often uses homophones (words that sound the same but have different spellings and meaningssame but have different spellings and meanings

Shakespeare’s writing often contains punsShakespeare’s writing often contains puns

Ex: Ex: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEH3u2Qz4fc

* I work as a baker because I knead dough.* I work as a baker because I knead dough.

*A bank manager without anyone around may find himself a-*A bank manager without anyone around may find himself a-loan. loan.

*A bicycle can't stand on its own because it is two-tired. *A bicycle can't stand on its own because it is two-tired.

*The butcher backed into the meat grinder and got a little *The butcher backed into the meat grinder and got a little behind in his work. behind in his work.

**Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said to the other, 'You stay here, hallway. One hat said to the other, 'You stay here, I'll go on a-head.' I'll go on a-head.'

*A small boy swallowed some coins and was taken *A small boy swallowed some coins and was taken to a hospital. When his grandmother telephoned to to a hospital. When his grandmother telephoned to ask how he was, a nurse said, 'No change yet.’ ask how he was, a nurse said, 'No change yet.’

*A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion. *A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.

*A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was *A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering.cited for littering.

Ex. Ex.

OXYMORONOXYMORON

Two or more words that are placed Two or more words that are placed next to each other that are opposite next to each other that are opposite & contradict& contradict

Ex. Ex. * * jumbo shrimpjumbo shrimp * buried alive* buried alive

* Hell* Hell’’s Angelss Angels * clearly confused* clearly confused

* act naturally * act naturally * crash landing* crash landing

* pretty ugly * pretty ugly * living dead* living dead

* Dodge ram* Dodge ram * civil war* civil war

* virtual reality* virtual reality * criminal justice* criminal justice

* almost done* almost done * cold sweat* cold sweat

* blind eye* blind eye * butt head* butt head

* awfully good* awfully good * bright night* bright night

* * bitter sweetbitter sweet * boneless ribs* boneless ribs

Oxymorons in PoetryOxymorons in Poetry

One bright morning, in the middle of the night,

Two dead soldiers got up to fight.Back to back, they faced each other,

Drew their swords and shot each other.A deaf policeman heard the noise,

And came and shot those two dead boys.If you don't believe this tale is true,

just ask the blind man —He saw it too!

Ex.