February 19, 2014Odes

Homework: Faux Ode (Fode) to random object due on Friday, February 21st! YOU WILL NEED TO READ THIS OUT LOUD TO THE CLASS!

Objective: I can identify the elements of an ode and incorporate the structure, sound devices and figurative language found in poetry into my own writing.

Warm Up (in your composition book)Copy down your objective into your notes. Look up the definition for LYRIC POETRY and ODE - both found in the red section of your Lit book.

lyric poetry

poetry that presents the personal thoughts and feelings of a single speaker. Most poems are lyric.

Look back through your Lit book at the poems we read on earlier in the week. Determine which ones were lyric poems...

"I'm Nobody! Who Are You?" pg. 630"Is the Moon Tired?" pg. 631"Fall" pg. 602"Change" pg. 604"Message from a Caterpillar" pg. 610"Fog" pg. 611

One of the greatest American poets was Robert Frost

Let's take a look at one of his most popular poems...

Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound’s the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening

by: Robert Frost

ode

a type of lyric poem that deals with serious themes such as justice, truth or beauty.

John Keats was an English poet famous for writing odes.

Let's take a look at one of his most popular odes...

Ode To Autumn1.

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;Conspiring with him how to load and blessWith fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees,And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shellsWith a sweet kernel; to set budding more,And still more, later flowers for the bees,Until they think warm days will never cease,For Summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells.

Now, original odes were very serious, appreciating the beauty of things in an elevated way.

But odes can also be more entertaining, also appreciating the beauty of everyday things all around us.

Let's take a look at two examples of more lighthearted odes...

Ode to Artichoke by: Pablo Neruda

pg. 648-652

Ode to Pablo's Tennis Shoesby: Gary Soto

pg. 34-35

These are just a few examples. Now take out your random object. This will be the topic for an ode that you will write. My random object was a red silicone spatula.

So now...Ode to Red Silicone Spatula

Your handle is more silver than the finest aluminum foil. Your heat resistant silicone can withstand a rolling boil. You’ve separated ground beef as it browned for taco night. The scrambled eggs you slowly stirred usually turned out right. You’ve dipped out mashed potatoes, and helped to fluff up rice, The brownie batters left on you all got licked off – how nice! You’ve helped many a cake batter make its way from bowl to pan. You’ve even helped ease tuna fish out of its tiny can.You’ve mixed and stirred so many dishes going slow and fast, You’re one well used utensil and you’d never come in last.

Your red tip is an upraised hand begging to be chosen To skillfully combine the foods, be they fresh or frozen. You live with roommates that include wooden spoons and tongs, But no other utensil deserves such praising songs. Once you’ve been picked, you’ll do the job whatever it may be,And when you’re done the dishwasher is the next place you’ll see. To get washed clean and ready for your next kitchen task. Tongs, ladle, spoon or spatula – Do I even have to ask? So simple yet so functional, whatever would I doCould there ever be a spatula as wonderful as you?

Created by Pindar out of the traditional forms of Greek tragedy, the ode is generally defined as a rhymed poem of irregular meter that praises its subject. The English ode consists of an undefined number of 10-line stanzas. Because your writing will have a regular rhyme pattern and be unconventional in its subject matter, it is a faux (fake) ode, or fode (GET IT!!!)

your assignment

Really examine your object. Your fode should discuss your object’s appearance, its benefits, different things it can be used for, why it makes life better, etc.

Structure

Your fode should be 2 stanzas.

Each stanza should be made up of 10 lines.

Each line should be at least 6 words long – no short, puny lines allowed!

You will need 2 copies of your fode - one for yourself to read from as you present, and the other for me to follow along with and grade. Typed or in ink - both copies!

Sound devices:Rhyme – your rhyme scheme should be couplets – AA, BB, CC, DD, etc. Don’t force rhymes that don’t make sense or lose meaning just for the sake of rhyming. Rephrase your sentences, move words around to create rhyme.Rhythm – try to create a musical note to your fode. Pay attention to number of syllables and line length so that your fode has a nice flow when you read itAlliteration – one line must contain 3+ words that start with the same sound

Figurative language:One line must use a metaphor – a direct comparison

Highlight and label your alliteration and metaphor lines as I have.

As you are writing, remember that you should remain enthusiastic about your subject material. An ode is like a love song to the subject. The more it sounds like you’re “in love” with your subject, the better, and more entertaining, it will be. My fode is just a model for structure and requirements. Don’t use any of the same examples or ideas I used. Be creative! I don’t want to hear any of the same examples I came up with; you can come up with something way better – YES, YOU CAN!

Homework:

Fode due on Friday February 21st! I need a final (typed or in ink)copy other than the one you will read out loud.