An Introduction to Poetry WebQuest

1. An Introduction to Poetry WebQuest Presenter: Kimberly Oswald EDU 505 Suggested Grade Levels: 7-12

2. Introduction • Have you ever written a poem that you wanted to share with others? • Are you reluctant to read or write poetry because it never sounds as good as everybody else’s? • Did you ever think of your thoughts, lyrics of songs, or words from a book as poetry? • Poetry is a wonderful way to express ourselves. It is a form of literature that allows us to say what we mean through verse and lyrics, stanzas and shapes.

3. Purpose • Some people dislike poetry because they feel as though they cannot find the right words to fit the style or form of the poem. Others dislike poetry because they don’t understand the many forms poetry can take. • This WebQuest will introduce you to the history of poetry, poetic terms, the types of poetry available, poets and their biographies, poetry written by teens, and ways to read poetry aloud.

4. Task • You will be required to complete the following tasks: • Task 1: Write a brief biography of a poet of your choice. Include a brief summary of the poet’s life, a list of poems your poet wrote, and what distinguishes your poet’s work from others. Write a poem of your own that mimics the form and style of a poem written by your selected poet. • Task 2: Decide which form of poetry you would prefer to write. After analyzing the critical components of that form, create a poem that fits into the type you chose. • Task 3: Locate a picture that you particularly like. You may use a picture of your own or one from the internet. Write a poem using the picture as inspiration. Include at least three poetic devices in your poem. List each device and describe how the inclusion of these devices lead to a more language-rich poem.

5. Process • In order to get the information you will need to complete the three assigned tasks, you will need to follow the directions and links (resources) that are provided to you. • You will need to write down some notes on the information you find to help you construct your products for the three assigned tasks.

6. History of Poetry • Use the following links to find out why poetry was created, the uses of poetry in preliterate societies, and where poetry originated from. • “History of Poetry” http://www.poemofquotes.com/articles/history-of-poetry.php • “History of Poetry” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_poetry • “What is Poetry?” http://www.poetry.org/whatis.htm • This will help you to form your opinion on which types of poetry carry the most meaning for you.

7. Poetic Terms and Devices • There are many poetic terms and devices that poets use to enhance their poetry writing. The use of these devices provide originality in poems. Take a look at some terms and definitions. • “Glossary of Poetic Devices” http://www.kyrene.org/schools/brisas/sunda/poets/poetry2.htm • “Glossary of Poetic Terms” http://rpo.library.utoronto.ca/display_rpo/poetterm.cfm • “Glossary of Poetic Terms” http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072405228/student_view0/poetic_glossary.html **You will need to use at least three devices in your picture inspiration poem.

8. Types/Forms of Poetry • Many new and different forms of poetry are being created every day. Check out some sites that explain the different types of poetry. • “Poetry and Form” http://www.poetry.org/whatis.htm • “Different Types of Poetry” http://www.types-of-poetry.org.uk/ • “Types of Poetry” http://www.poemofquotes.com/articles/poetry_forms.php **You will need this information to complete all three assigned tasks.

9. Poets and Their Works • There are many poets who have published their works in printed materials and on the world wide web. You can search the following links to find out information on poets, their lives, and their works. • “Quotes of Poets” http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets_quotes.html • “Famous Poets and Poems” http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/ • “Popular New England Poets” http://www.britannica.com/ebi/article-196297 • “Poets” (including a list of the “Most Popular Contemporary Poets”) http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/58 **Use this information to help you complete task one, the brief biography of a poet.

10. Poems by Teens • Teenagers can be poets, too! Many teens have shared their poems with the world via the world wide web. Many times, websites will pay to have you publish your poetry on the site. Other times, it is a great way to get your poetry out there and to publish it for the first time. These sites provide poems written by teenagers: • “Teen Poetry Contest” http://www.poetryamerica.com/teen-poetry-contest.asp • “Teen Poems” http://www.poetryamerica.com/teen-poems.asp • “Teen Ink: Poetry Written by Teens” http://teenink.com/Poetry/

11. Poetry Comes Alive! • Poetry comes alive when we share it with others! Whether we read poems silently while listening to the voice behind the poem or we read it aloud to an audience, there are some tips we should keep in mind to make the experience worthwhile and memorable. • “How Do You Read Poetry?” http://garts.latech.edu/owl/literature/poetryguide.htm#readpoet • “Reading Lyric Poetry” http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/cs6/read_lyr.html • “Reading Poetry” http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/litlinks/poetry/readpoet.htm **Read your poems aloud to others to get their feedback. Practicing to read aloud your poems will help you to become more comfortable reading aloud in front of an audience.

12. Resources • “Different Types of Poetry”: http://www.types-of-poetry.org.uk/ • “Famous Poets and Poems”: http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/ • “Glossary of Poetic Devices”: http://www.kyrene.org/schools/brisas/sunda/poets/poetry2.htm • “Glossary of Poetic Terms”: http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072405228/student_view0/poetic_glossary.html • “Glossary of Poetic Terms”: http://rpo.library.utoronto.ca/display_rpo/poetterm.cfm • “History of Poetry”: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_poetry • “History of Poetry”: http://www.poemofquotes.com/articles/history-of-poetry.php • “How Do You Read Poetry?”: http://garts.latech.edu/owl/literature/poetryguide.htm#readpoet • “Poetry and Form”: http://www.poetry.org/whatis.htm • “Poets”: http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/58 • “Popular New England Poets”: http://www.britannica.com/ebi/article-196297 • “Quotes of Poets”: http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets_quotes.html • “Reading Lyric Poetry”: http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/cs6/read_lyr.html • “Reading Poetry”: http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/litlinks/poetry/readpoet.htm • “Teen Ink: Poetry Written by Teens”: http://teenink.com/Poetry/ • “Teen Poems”: http://www.poetryamerica.com/teen-poems.asp • “Teen Poetry Contest”: http://www.poetryamerica.com/teen-poetry-contest.asp • “Types of Poetry”: http://www.poemofquotes.com/articles/poetry_forms.php • “What is Poetry?”:http://www.poetry.org/whatis.htm

13. Evaluation • Task 1: This assignment will be graded out of 100 points. The assessment will be broken down as follows: • Biography (including all three parts): 70% • The biography must be grammatically correct with correct spelling and correct punctuation. A brief biography of the poet’s life, a list of his or her works, and the distinction between the poet’s work as compared to others must be present and clearly written. • Mimic poem: 30% • The poem must mimic the style of the poet. Due to the variety of forms a poet may use in his or her writings, you should clearly identify the poem that you are mimicking. You should use your own words, not copy words from the poet’s original poem.

14. Evaluation (continued) • Task 2: This assignment will be worth 20 points. • In order to receive points, you must clearly state the form of poetry you are using. You must write down the critical components that make the poem identifiable as fitting a certain form.

15. Evaluation (continued) • Task 3: This assignment will be worth 80 points. The following is a break down of the points earned: • Picture (original or attached copy): 10 points • Inspiration poem: 30 points • Three poetic devices with explanations: 40 points

16. Conclusion Congratulations! You have completed “An Introduction to Poetry WebQuest.” • After completing the WebQuest, you should be familiar with a brief history of poetry, poetic terms and devices, types and forms of poetry, some poets and familiar poems, some poems written by teens, and how to read poetry. • Reflection Questions: • Which forms of poetry most interest you? • Did you find a particular poet you enjoyed? • Were you able to locate and justify poetic devices in selected poems? • Are you ready to try writing your own poetry? Please take some time to reflect on your experience with a WebQuest. We will briefly discuss any questions or comments you may have regarding the topic or your experience.