Welcome to the Welcome to the World of Poetry!World of Poetry!

NOTESNOTES

On loose leaf paper or in your notebook, create a On loose leaf paper or in your notebook, create a three columned chart: three columned chart: The first column should be labeled “Poetry Term” The first column should be labeled “Poetry Term”

(leave six lines between each term)(leave six lines between each term) The second column should be labeled “Definition”The second column should be labeled “Definition” The third column should be labeled “Example” (Don’t The third column should be labeled “Example” (Don’t

worry about this column today…you’ll fill it in tomorrow)worry about this column today…you’ll fill it in tomorrow)

TERMSTERMS

Rhyme Alliteration Consonance Assonance Onomatopoeia Imagery Metaphor/Extended

Metaphor Simile Personification Hyperbole Allusion

Line Stanza Refrain Enjambment Rhythm Repetition Parallel Structure Anaphora

What Is Poetry?What Is Poetry?

According to research by Donna Norton:According to research by Donna Norton: Poetry is not easily defined, nor is it easily measured Poetry is not easily defined, nor is it easily measured

or classified.or classified. There is no single definition of poetry.There is no single definition of poetry. Some definitions specify the characteristics of poetry, Some definitions specify the characteristics of poetry,

including the poetic elements and the functions of including the poetic elements and the functions of words.words.

Other definitions emphasize its emotional impact.Other definitions emphasize its emotional impact.

Structure of PoetryStructure of Poetry

Poems are made up of Poems are made up of lineslines and and stanzasstanzas The poetic The poetic lineline is the same as a sentence in prose. is the same as a sentence in prose.

The length of the line and the line breaks are The length of the line and the line breaks are important and deliberate choices made by the poet. important and deliberate choices made by the poet.

The poem’s The poem’s stanzastanza is the same as the paragraph in is the same as the paragraph in prose. It is used to organize ideas. prose. It is used to organize ideas. • Quatrain = stanza made up of four linesQuatrain = stanza made up of four lines• Couplet = stanza made up of two linesCouplet = stanza made up of two lines• Refrain = a regularly repeated line or group of Refrain = a regularly repeated line or group of

lines, usually at the end of a stanzalines, usually at the end of a stanza

Reading PoetryReading Poetry

Pay attention to punctuation!Pay attention to punctuation! When reading poetry, if you reach the end When reading poetry, if you reach the end

of the line and there is no punctuation after of the line and there is no punctuation after the last word, do not pause – continue the last word, do not pause – continue reading as you would any sentencereading as you would any sentence EnjambmentEnjambment - when the idea or phrase in a - when the idea or phrase in a

poem is carried over from one line into the poem is carried over from one line into the next.next.

Elements of PoetryElements of PoetryRhythmRhythm The word rhythm is derived from the Greek The word rhythm is derived from the Greek rhythmosrhythmos, ,

meaning meaning to flowto flow. In poetry, this flowing quality refers to . In poetry, this flowing quality refers to the movement of words in the poem.the movement of words in the poem.

StressStress, the number of syllables, and the pattern of the , the number of syllables, and the pattern of the syllables direct the feelings expressed in a poem.syllables direct the feelings expressed in a poem.

Many poems have a definite Many poems have a definite repetitive cadencerepetitive cadence, or , or meter, with certain lines containing a certain number of meter, with certain lines containing a certain number of pronounced beats.pronounced beats.

Poets use rhythm to create dramatic effects and to Poets use rhythm to create dramatic effects and to suggest moodssuggest moods..

RepetitionRepetition Poets frequently use repetition to enrich or emphasize Poets frequently use repetition to enrich or emphasize

words, phrases, lines, or even whole verses in poems.words, phrases, lines, or even whole verses in poems.

Parallelism or Parallel StructureParallelism or Parallel Structure

Refers to a grammatical or structural Refers to a grammatical or structural similarity between sentences or parts of a similarity between sentences or parts of a sentence, so that elements of equal sentence, so that elements of equal importance are equally developed and importance are equally developed and similarly phrase for emphasissimilarly phrase for emphasis

Type of “repetition”Type of “repetition”

Example of Parallel StructureExample of Parallel Structure

““I I lingeredlingered round them, under that benign sky: round them, under that benign sky: watchedwatched the moths fluttering among the heath and harebells; the moths fluttering among the heath and harebells; listenedlistened to the soft wind breathing through the grass; and to the soft wind breathing through the grass; and wonderedwondered how anyone could ever imagine unquiet how anyone could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quite earth.” slumbers for the sleepers in that quite earth.”

––Emily Bronte, Emily Bronte, Wuthering HeightsWuthering Heights

*note how the subject “I” does four things, all of similar *note how the subject “I” does four things, all of similar grammatical structures: lingered…, watched…, grammatical structures: lingered…, watched…, listened…., wondered….listened…., wondered….

Another Example of ParallelismAnother Example of Parallelism

““In the past In the past we have had a light which flickered, flickered, in the in the present present we have a light which flames, and we have a light which flames, and in the future in the future there will be a light which shines over the land and the there will be a light which shines over the land and the sea.”sea.”

––Sir Winston Churchill Sir Winston Churchill

*Note how the writer addresses time in a similar, or *Note how the writer addresses time in a similar, or parallel, manner. "In the past...in the present...in the parallel, manner. "In the past...in the present...in the future...." Each element begins with a parallel future...." Each element begins with a parallel prepositional phrase.prepositional phrase.

AnaphoraAnaphora Anaphora: Anaphora: Repetition of the same word or group of Repetition of the same word or group of

words at the beginning of two or more clauses or lineswords at the beginning of two or more clauses or lines

ThisThis royal throne of kings, royal throne of kings, thisthis sceptred isle, sceptred isle, ThisThis earth of majesty, earth of majesty, thisthis seat of Mars, seat of Mars, This This other Eden, demi-paradise,other Eden, demi-paradise,This This fortress built by Nature for herselffortress built by Nature for herselfAgainst infection and the hand of war,Against infection and the hand of war,ThisThis happy breed of men, happy breed of men, thisthis little world, little world,ThisThis precious stone set in the silver sea, precious stone set in the silver sea,Which serves it in the office of a wall,Which serves it in the office of a wall,Or as [a] moat defensive to a house,Or as [a] moat defensive to a house,Against the envy of less happier lands;Against the envy of less happier lands;

Elements of PoetryElements of PoetrySound is an important part of the pleasure of poetry.Sound is an important part of the pleasure of poetry.

RhymeRhyme – – the repetition of sounds. the repetition of sounds. Rhyming may occur at Rhyming may occur at the end of lines and within linesthe end of lines and within lines..AlliterationAlliteration – the repetition of initial consonants in words – the repetition of initial consonants in words that are close togetherthat are close togetherConsonanceConsonance – the repetition of final consonant sounds in – the repetition of final consonant sounds in stressed syllables with different vowel sounds in words that stressed syllables with different vowel sounds in words that are close togetherare close togetherAssonanceAssonance – the repetition of similar vowel sounds in – the repetition of similar vowel sounds in accented syllables in words that are close togetheraccented syllables in words that are close togetherOnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeia – words that imitate the actions or sounds – words that imitate the actions or sounds with which they are associated – such as with which they are associated – such as plop, jounce, plop, jounce, beat, creak, swish, clink, hiss.beat, creak, swish, clink, hiss.

RhymeRhyme

I heard a horsemanI heard a horsemanRide over the hill;Ride over the hill;

The moon shone clear,The moon shone clear,The night was still;The night was still;His helm was silver,His helm was silver,

And pale was he;And pale was he;And the horse he rodeAnd the horse he rode

Was of ivory.Was of ivory.

Walter de la Mare, “The Horseman” 1923.Walter de la Mare, “The Horseman” 1923.

AssonanceAssonance

He clasps the crag with crooked handsHe clasps the crag with crooked hands

Close to the sun in lonely lands,Close to the sun in lonely lands,

Ringed with the azure world, he stands . . .Ringed with the azure world, he stands . . .

Alfred Tennyson, “The Eagle” 1851Alfred Tennyson, “The Eagle” 1851

Onomatopoeia Onomatopoeia

Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor.Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor.He played a few chords then he sang some more--He played a few chords then he sang some more--

Line from Langston Hughes’ poem “The Weary Blues”Line from Langston Hughes’ poem “The Weary Blues”

AlliterationAlliteration

Dinogar’s speckled petticoatDinogar’s speckled petticoat

was made of skins and speckled stoat;was made of skins and speckled stoat;

whip whip whipalongwhip whip whipalong

eight times we sing the song.eight times we sing the song.

Gwyn Williams, “The Rattle Bag” 1982Gwyn Williams, “The Rattle Bag” 1982

Elements of PoetryElements of Poetry

ImageryImagery Imagery is a primary element in poetryImagery is a primary element in poetry. It encourages . It encourages

you to you to see, hear, feel, taste, smell, and touchsee, hear, feel, taste, smell, and touch the worlds the worlds created by poets.created by poets.

Figurative LanguageFigurative Language Poets use figurative language (language with nonliteral Poets use figurative language (language with nonliteral

meaning) to create imagery in their poetry. This helps to meaning) to create imagery in their poetry. This helps to clarify, add vividness, and encourage readers to clarify, add vividness, and encourage readers to experience things in a new way.experience things in a new way.

Metaphors, Similes, Personification, and HyperboleMetaphors, Similes, Personification, and Hyperbole are all are all examples of figurative language.examples of figurative language.

Elements of Poetry:Elements of Poetry:Figurative LanguageFigurative Language

MetaphorsMetaphors – a comparison between two unlike things in – a comparison between two unlike things in which one thing is spoke of as if it were anotherwhich one thing is spoke of as if it were another

SimilesSimiles – comparison of two or more unlike things using – comparison of two or more unlike things using the words the words likelike or or as as

PersonificationPersonification – giving human qualities to an animal, – giving human qualities to an animal, object or ideaobject or idea

HyperboleHyperbole – exaggeration used to suggest strong emotion – exaggeration used to suggest strong emotion or create comic effector create comic effect

AllusionAllusion – a reference to a well-known person, event, or – a reference to a well-known person, event, or place from history, music, art or another literary workplace from history, music, art or another literary work

MetaphorMetaphor

The dinosaurs are not all dead.The dinosaurs are not all dead.I saw one raise its iron headI saw one raise its iron headTo watch me walking down the roadTo watch me walking down the roadBeyond our house today.Beyond our house today.Its jaws were dripping with a loadIts jaws were dripping with a loadOf earth and grass that it had croppedOf earth and grass that it had croppedIt must have heard me where I stopped,It must have heard me where I stopped,Snorted white steam my way,Snorted white steam my way,And stretched its long neck out to see,And stretched its long neck out to see,And chewed, and finned quite amiably.And chewed, and finned quite amiably.

Charles Malam, “Steam Shovel” 1958Charles Malam, “Steam Shovel” 1958

SimileSimile

The moon this night is like a silver sickleThe moon this night is like a silver sickleMowing a field of stars.Mowing a field of stars.It has spread a golden runnerIt has spread a golden runnerOver the rippling waves.Over the rippling waves.With its winking shimmerWith its winking shimmerThis magic carpet lures meThis magic carpet lures meTo fly to the moon on it.To fly to the moon on it.

Inna Miller, “The Path on the Sea” 1972Inna Miller, “The Path on the Sea” 1972

AllusionAllusion

Nature's first green is gold, Nature's first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold.Her hardest hue to hold.Her early leaf's a flower; Her early leaf's a flower; But only so an hour.But only so an hour.Then leaf subsides to leaf.Then leaf subsides to leaf.So So EdenEden sank to grief, sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day.So dawn goes down to day.Nothing gold can stay. Nothing gold can stay.

Nothing Gold Can Stay Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frostby Robert Frost

PersonificationPersonificationThe leaves are gone,The leaves are gone,The world is old,The world is old,I hear a whisper from the sky – I hear a whisper from the sky – The dark is long,The dark is long,The ground’s grown cold,The ground’s grown cold,I hear the snow’s white lullaby.I hear the snow’s white lullaby.She breathes it softlyShe breathes it softlyThrough the air,Through the air,While with her gown of flakes she sweepsWhile with her gown of flakes she sweepsThe sky, the trees, the ground grown cold,The sky, the trees, the ground grown cold,Singing hushSinging hushNow hush.Now hush.

Now hush,Now hush,HushHush Sleep.Sleep.

Deborah Chandra, “Snowfall” 1990.Deborah Chandra, “Snowfall” 1990.

At the end of the unit…At the end of the unit…

You will be able to analyze a poem on You will be able to analyze a poem on your own and discover how the poet’s your own and discover how the poet’s stylistic choices convey meaningstylistic choices convey meaning

You will be able to identify and use You will be able to identify and use elements of poetry in your own writingelements of poetry in your own writing