Free-Verse PoetryFree-Verse Poetry

What is Free-Verse?What is Free-Verse?

◊ A definition: Verse composed of variable, usually unrhymed lines having no fixed metrical pattern

◊ First used in the Bible

◊ A definition: Verse composed of variable, usually unrhymed lines having no fixed metrical pattern

◊ First used in the Bible

Elements of Free-VerseElements of Free-Verse

◊ Assonance◊ Alliteration◊ Parallel Structure◊ Imagery◊ Onomatopoeia◊ Cadence

◊ Assonance◊ Alliteration◊ Parallel Structure◊ Imagery◊ Onomatopoeia◊ Cadence

AssonanceAssonance

◊ The repetition of identical or similar vowel sounds• “My tongue, every atom of my blood,

formed from this soil…”

◊ The repetition of identical or similar vowel sounds• “My tongue, every atom of my blood,

formed from this soil…”

Practice assonancePractice assonance

◊ Examine the picture on the right. Write a few lines describing what you see, using assonance

◊ Examine the picture on the right. Write a few lines describing what you see, using assonance

AlliterationAlliteration

◊ The repetition of the same sounds or of the same kinds of sounds at the beginning of words or in stressed syllables• “I too am not a bit tamed, I too am

untranslatable”

◊ The repetition of the same sounds or of the same kinds of sounds at the beginning of words or in stressed syllables• “I too am not a bit tamed, I too am

untranslatable”

Practice alliterationPractice alliteration

◊ Last names ending in A-M:• Write a short

description of a small child eating a melting ice cream cone, using alliteration.

◊ Last names ending in A-M:• Write a short

description of a small child eating a melting ice cream cone, using alliteration.

◊ Last names ending in N-Z:• Write a short

description of a bull rider getting ready to come out of the chute, using alliteration.

◊ Last names ending in N-Z:• Write a short

description of a bull rider getting ready to come out of the chute, using alliteration.

Share your work with a partner!

Share your work with a partner!

Parallel StructureParallel Structure

◊ The repetition of single words or phrases:• “Born here of parents born here from

parents the same, and their parents the same”

◊ The repetition of single words or phrases:• “Born here of parents born here from

parents the same, and their parents the same”

Practice parallel structurePractice parallel structure

◊ Use the words “tightly woven,” “ugly,” “hammer,” “over,” and “I think to myself” to write a few lines using parallel structure.

◊ Use the words “tightly woven,” “ugly,” “hammer,” “over,” and “I think to myself” to write a few lines using parallel structure.

ImageryImagery

◊ The use of vivid or figurative language to represent objects, actions, or ideas

◊ Using sensory language to create mental images• “I clutch the rails of the fence, my gore

dribs, thinn’d with the ooze of my skin”

◊ The use of vivid or figurative language to represent objects, actions, or ideas

◊ Using sensory language to create mental images• “I clutch the rails of the fence, my gore

dribs, thinn’d with the ooze of my skin”

Practice imagery Practice imagery

◊ You have thirty seconds to view the picture on the following slide. Then, use imagery to re-create the scene in your own free-verse poem.

◊ You have thirty seconds to view the picture on the following slide. Then, use imagery to re-create the scene in your own free-verse poem.

OnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeia

◊ The formation or use of words such as buzz or bang that imitate the sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to.

◊ The formation or use of words such as buzz or bang that imitate the sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to.

Practice onomatopoeiaPractice onomatopoeia

◊ A poem titled “When Carly Eats Spaghetti” is on the following slide. As you read it, write down words that are examples of onomatopoeia.

◊ A poem titled “When Carly Eats Spaghetti” is on the following slide. As you read it, write down words that are examples of onomatopoeia.

“When Carly Eats Spaghetti”

When Carly eats spaghetti,She chomps and gobbles and slurps,The spaghetti disappears with a whooshSauce slapping and smacking Round her chops.She scrapes the toast round the plateCrunching, grinding every mouthful.She burps, gurgles and leaves the table!

CadenceCadence

◊ The rhythmic rising and falling of the voice when speaking or reading poetry.

◊ The rhythmic rising and falling of the voice when speaking or reading poetry.

Practice cadencePractice cadence

◊ Listen to the following speech by Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress. Notice her use of cadence.

◊ Listen to the following speech by Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress. Notice her use of cadence.

Examples of Free-VerseExamples of Free-Verse

◊ Walt Whitman- “Walt Whitman”

◊ Walt Whitman- “Walt Whitman”

Examples of Free-VerseExamples of Free-Verse

◊ Dylan Thomas- “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night”

◊ Dylan Thomas- “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night”

Examples of Free-VerseExamples of Free-Verse

◊ Marianne Moore- “The Fish”

◊ Marianne Moore- “The Fish”

Examples of Free-VerseExamples of Free-Verse

◊ Langston Hughes- “I, Too, Sing America”

◊ Langston Hughes- “I, Too, Sing America”