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Monday, April 22, 2013 List Poems. Writing a good list poem takes more effort than simply jotting down a list. They all describe or name things, with specific details that make the poem come alive. One type of list poem is a history poem, which details a part of the writer’s life.
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Monday, April 22, 2013List Poems • Writing a good list poem takes more effort than simply jotting down a list. • They all describe or name things, with specific details that make the poem come alive. • One type of list poem is a history poem, which details a part of the writer’s life. • Another type of list poem is the “how-to” poem.
Writing a List Poem • The first step is to brainstorm • Each list poem needs at least 16 different things in it • When you have a good, long list of ideas, read it over carefully and begin to select what will work together. • Create a picture for the reader of whatever your topic is. • Examine the order in which you place words and phrases; the order should make sense. • Read it out loud. Does it have a rhythm? Does it fit with the subject? Is word choice appropriate? Could you use other words that would flow better?
Examples: • A History of the Faulty Shoes by Amanda Granum Tiny white lacy slippers that I kicked off when I was a baby Sweet little pink jellies that I wore on the swing set and broke the strap Soft leather moccasins that had beads that fell off Bright pink sneakers that were hard to lace up Little purple velcro tennis shoes that had a hole in the heel Shiny black party shoes that got scratched on the sidewalk White leather sandals that got wet in the sprinkler and shrank Green All-Stars that rubbed at the toe Black Mary-Janes that I sill wear today But who knows?
Example: “How To” • How to Get Out of Homework by Jared Conrad-Bradshaw I’m feeling sick Look at what the dog’s doing Five more minutes That’s a beautiful necklace Oh, just a little longer But, I just reached dark castle and I can’t stop now There’s a bomb in my bedroom There’s a killer outside The baby’s sick But this book is stretching my mind in ways homework can’t I’m feeling sleepy I might wake the baby I just heard a gunshot Was that the phone? After dinner? The cat’s outside So is the dog I’m hungry I don’t feel like it.
How to Bathe a Cat Wear protective clothing Watch your eyes Duck! “Hiiiiiiiissssssssssssssssss” Unlock the claws from around your arm – all four sets Now that you have cat in the tub, start the water Chase cat Dig cat out from under the bed Put Neosporin on your arm Get cat wet Don’t let the screeching stop you Shampoo with one hand and hold down with the other one Watch out! Sharp teeth Ouch! “Hhhhhhhiiiiiiiiiiiiiiissssssssssss” Rinse Hold cat down Wrap cat in towel Did you seriously think you could use the blowdryer? Where’s the cat? Put Neosporin on the other arm Call a groomer
How to Irritate a Teacher “But I was just…” Don’t proofread Go to the bathroom in the middle of instructions Comment on EVERYTHING Don’t listen Take a nap Be offended when you get in trouble for breaking rules you knew about Whine “My mom wants to know why I don’t have an ‘A’…” Ask questions that have already been answered “Yeah, but…” Ignore them when they give instructions “You never yell at anyone but me…” Seriously, would it take you that long to proofread Act like school is the only time you get to see your friends “This is stupid…” Assume they’re too old to remember what it was like to be your age Public Displays of Affection Roll your eyes Make noise when you yawn Forget they’re teachers, not fellow classmates Talk when you’ve been told not to Be rude to each other and/or to them Blow off your homework Don’t listen “Huh?” “How do you spell…” Act like school is punishment “Why can’t I…” Misuse materials Forget that you’re not the only one in the room that matters
Possible list poem subjects: • Things that never die • Things that annoy me • Achievements • Things that are gross • Siblings • My grandmother’s house • Bad cooks • irritating sounds • What money can do • Lucky things • What to do if… • Things that come in handy • Things that are quiet • Things I like about my friends • Memories I’d forgotten • Make-believe places • The perfect friend • Nightitime • Lies I’ve told • Embarrassing moment • my mistakes • When I’m alone I…
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 • Poems of address • A poem of address is a poem that is written to somebody or to something. Although the reader will learn about the object or person that is the subject of the poem, a poem of address is not about that person or thing. That’s important to keep in mind. If you don’t stay focused on writing a poem of address, it could easily turn into simply another poem about the subject.
Poems of Address, continued • There are lots of reasons for writing a poem of address. Some reasons are: • a poem that deals with unfinished business • a poem that deals with anger or disappointment • a poem that thanks someone You can also write poems to a character or to inanimate objects.
Examples: • Hiccups by Jennifer Nussinow Dear Hiccups, You’re the enemy of my mouth and throat. You’re the worst thing that could ever – hic – happen! If you ever should disturb me again, I shall toss you out of my vocal chords. You’re like hail on an angry alligator. So, catch my drift, dear hiccups – hic – and get far, far away. Get out – hic – DEAR, AWFUL HICCUPS! -hic-
Examples, continued Grandmother by Kate Manthos O Yaya, I miss you. I know I never enjoyed our Sunday lunches with you inside the dining room not out in the sun. You were old I was young. I never talked to you unless I was forced but I didn’t know how much I loved you. Now you are gone I miss our lunches, the dining room is empty, the chairs pushed in tight. And the maid has left. So have you and I wish you’d come back because I miss you.
Science Fair by Emily Hollifield Oh, Science fair! You’re the pain and peril of my days. You’re the occupation of my time. You seem to grow shorter, every time I work on you. Why couldn’t you take away, some of your steps, so I can be at peace? You’re the snag at my side. you’re the pea in my bed that robs me of my sleep. You’re the problem of my life. Oh, Science Fair, I wish you would just go away!
Wednesday, April 24, 2013 Synonym Poetry • A synonym poem is a two line rhyming poem (otherwise known as a couplet). Examples: School Lunch Burgers, prunes, and warm spaghetti, To eat this stuff I’m not ready. Thin Scrawny, slender, skinny, slight, Your plump friends tell you you’re too light.
Synonym Poetry, Continued • Each poem is made up of two lines of poetry that rhyme. • The title is the subject of the poem. • The first line contains three or four synonyms for the subject. • The second line of each poem can do one of two things: it can describe the subject a little more or it can tell how the poet feels about the subject. • Each line generally has seven or eight syllables arranged in a way that gives the poem its rhythm. • A synonym poem can be funny. Stringy, clumpy, smells like feet, Sauerkraut I cannot eat. Chocolate, gooey, topped with icing, Mom’s brownies are so enticing. Pink and chrome, saves me from a hike, Don’t know what I’d do without my bike. Loud, a barker, sometimes a cutie, That’s pretty much my mom’s dog, Chewie.
Opposite Poetry • An opposite poem is another descriptive poem that is the opposite of a synonym poem. • One difference between a synonym poem and an opposite poem is that in an opposite you describe something by what it is not. • Examples: What is the opposite of kind? A goat that butts you from behind. The opposite of chair Is sitting down with nothing there. What is the opposite of new? It might be stale gum that’s hard to chew, A hotdog roll as hard as a rock, Or a soiled and smelly forgotten sock.
Opposite Poetry, Continued • More challenging, huh? • Here are some tips: • About opposites • Written in couplets, but can be in two, four, six, eight, or more lines of couplets. • Will frequently, but not always, start with a question. If you start with a question, the rest of your poem must answer the question. You could also begin with: The opposite of () is (). • A good opposite will contain specific details, not simply generalities. • Your poem still needs a rhythm, even though it will be more difficult to create than in a synonym poem.
Clerihews • Short rhyming poems about historical and literary figures. • Examples: Edgar Allen Poe Was passionately fond of roe [fish eggs] He always liked to chew some When writing anything gruesome. Basketball ace, Dr. J Is seven feet tall so they say. His only hang up is buying shoes. But that’s why they invented canoes.
Clerihews, continued • A clerihew is about a celebrity . • It pokes gentle fun at that person, so it tends to be humorous (NOT mean-spirited). • It is always made up of two couplets. • The first line ends with a person’s name, so you must rhyme with that name.
Acrostic poetry example: LAUREN L oves her mom A lso likes to cook U nlikes to clean her room R uins some things E ats a lot N onlikes spaghetti The subject of the poem is the title. You can write an acrostic poem with a single word in each line, or you can have longer lines. Thursday, April 25, 2013Acrostic Poetry
You can write your acrostic poem as a list, with a different item on each line. Or, you can write your poem as a sentence or two that continue you through the poem. Your poem can also be a combination of these two possibilities. Make sure you have selected items that capture the essence of your subject. The fist letter of each line must come form the title or subject of your poem. Acrostic Poems, Continued
GARBAGE • Grounds of coffee • Apple cores • Rinds of melon • Banana peels • Anchovies from a pizza I wouldn’t eat • Grapes too ripe to eat • Emptying the stinking bag, my job Any acrostic poem should tell an interesting story about whatever the subject is.
