The only rule is to not follow the rules.

• Free verse first appeared in 1915• Early writers of free verse poetry

include Walt Whitman and Emily Dickenson.

WhitmanDickenson

• In the 20’s and 30’s the writers of the Harlem Renaissance were well known for the use of free verse in poetry

• Beatnik’s of the 50’s and 60’s helped to popularize free verse

• Some important writers from these two groups are: Allen Ginsbourg, William S. Burroughs, Jack Kerouac, E.E. Cummings, and Langston Hughes

Top: E. E. CummingsBottom: Jack Kerouac

I could take the Harlem nightand wrap around you,Take the neon lights and make a crown,Take the Lenox Avenue busses,Taxis, subways,And for your love song tone their rumble down.Take Harlem's heartbeat,Make a drumbeat,Put it on a record, let it whirl,And while we listen to it play,Dance with you till day--Dance with you, my sweet brown Harlem girl.

• Richard Aldington said:“We do not insist upon 'free-verse' as the only method of writing poetry. We fight for it as for a principle of liberty.”

• What is the significance of this quote?

• At your table, come up with your own definition of free verse

• Be sure to include its purpose (what this form of poetry is used for)

• You have 4 minutes

• Taylor - Jack Johnson• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

6ZUx_3BJR-Y

• Find and circle the sections of the song that fit the definition of free verse poetry!

• Read Miracles by Walt Whitman• Identify examples of alliteration and

repetition• What is the point of including those

examples?– For meaning?– For the flow and rhythm of the poem?– Is Whitman trying to prove a point?