Poetry

1. Poetry

2. POEMS: • Personal Poem • I Am Poem • If Only • Bio—About Yourself • Bio Pyramid (2)—About Someone You Admire • Limerick (3) • Acrostic (3) • Haiku (3) • Tanka/Cinquain (3) • Diamante • Free Verse

3. Unit Project Throughout this unit you will learn the skills to write and analyze poetry. You will write many poems to demonstrate different skills you have acquired, and knowledge you have gained. At the end of the unit, YOU will produce an anthology of poetry. So, do your best, save all your work IN YOUR poetry journal, and have fun! Example at Slide 46

4. Your Anthology • Each slide or page should have one poem or a group of similar poems. • Include a visual or something that illustrates your poem. • Include 3 sentences about your poem: What inspired you to write your poem? What devices (i.e. simile, metaphor, personification, alliteration) did you use to enhance your poem? What words, allusions or phrases did you use to improve your poem? See the next slides for an example.

5. The Red Wheelbarrowby William Carlos Williams so much depends upon a red wheelbarrow glazed with rain water beside the white chickens

6. The Blue iPod so much depends upon a blue nano ipod fixed with play- lists designed as a means of escape for all • I wrote this poem as a response to William Carlos Williams’ The Red Wheelbarrow. His description of an everyday object as essential and beautiful to him inspired me to create the same poem but with the ipod. I chose the ipod because it is essential to so many people as a means of escape.

7. What is Poetry? In your notebook, write your own definition of poetry, based upon your understanding of it. Try to define what it is, exactly. Also, describe forms of writing that are NOT poetry. You have five minutes or so.

8. Some Definitions of Poetry Poetry is defined as the dramatization of experience in metrical language. It is a condensed, often-rhythmical composition with specially-arranged lines, figurative language, and sometimes rhyme. Poetry is words combined in ways that can be very different from everyday language. Poetry is the expression of the inner part of a human being; an attempt to translate the untranslatable through the medium of language.

9. Write a Poem! Personal Poem • Tell me your name. • What is your REAL name (not necessarily the name you go by, but a name you wish was yours, or a name that you feel is true for you)? • Name the animal inside you. Explain your choice. • There’s an object in your heart. What is it? Explain its significance. • There’s a word written on your forehead. What is it? Explain. • Tell me a sound you love. Tell me a sound you hate. • What is your favorite time of day? Why? • If your hands could speak, what would they say? • Tell me something you remember from your childhood. • Tell me a phrase or saying your mother/father/grandparents said to you often. • Write a phrase or image that represents your personality or how you are feeling at this point in your life. Keep it short, succinct, and dramatic to end your poem powerfully.

10. Write a Poem! Personal Poem My name is Tara Finnigan. People call me Finn. I am a cat. I like to keep quiet and relax in the sun, but I am also curious. In my heart you will find sea glass. Sea glass has been eroded by the years, and yet only becomes more beautiful. The word written upon my forehead is: Clumsy. I have to be extra cautious to stay on my feet, because I always seem to be tripping around. I love the sound of nature, and especially the ocean… although I can’t stand the caw of the crows. I used to be a night owl, but I have grown to appreciate the calm and hopefulness of the early morning hours. If my hands could speak—wait a minute they do. I always talk with my hands. My childhood was full of castles in the trees, dragons in the snow, and the laughter of imagination. But if you ask my parents they will say: That Tara, she was 30 when she turned 2. My name is Tara. I am: cat, sea glass, nature, books.

11. POINT OF VIEW IN POETRY POET • The poet is the author of the poem. SPEAKER • The speaker of the poem is the “narrator” of the poem.

12. Write a Poem! I Am… Poem • I am (two special characteristics you have) • I wonder (something you are actually curious about) • I hear (an imaginary sound) • I see (an imaginary sight) • I want (an actual desire) • I am (the first line of the poem restated) • I am pretending (something you actually pretend) • I feel (a feeling about something imaginary) • I touch (an imaginary touch) • I worry (something that really bothers you) • I cry (something that makes you sad) • I understand (something you know is true) • I say (something you believe in) • I dream (something you actually dream about) • I try (something you make an effort about) • I hope (something you actually hope for) • I am (the first line of the poem repeated)

13. I Am... • I am bookish and thoughtful. • I wonder when I will read all the books on my shelf. • I hear a cat’s meow. • I see smiles. • I want happiness and calm. • I am bookish and thoughtful. • I am pretending to be a famous author. • I feel I will succeed in writing a famous book. • I touch an ancient tome. • I worry I will never write a book. • I cry when animals are mistreated. • I understand that we all need acceptance. • I say you will be successful. • I dream I will be successful. • I try to be happy every day. • I hope to live by this happiness principle. • I am bookish and thoughtful.

14. Brainstorming Choose a noun – a person/animal, place, or thing. Make three lists – verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. Brainstorm things about the noun you chose – things it does (verbs), how it does things (adverbs), and words to describe the noun (adjectives). Take 5 minutes to do this.

15. If Only Poem Write an If Only poem by following the structure below: Line 1: Name of the special person, animal, place, or thing Line 2: Two adjectives describing the subject in line 1, connected by “and” or “but” Line 3: A typical action (verb) that the subject in line 1 does, and how the subject typically does that action (adverb) Line 4: A comparison using the words “as a” or “like a” Line 5: An “if only” wish for the subject Line 6: An “if only” wish for yourself and the subject Line 7 (OPTIONAL): A “when” for line 6

16. If Only Poem Cat Sleek and fat Runs gracefully As a deer If only she’d stop prowling If only she and I could sleep Until the morning comes

17. Who Am I? Bio-poem Write a bio-poem about yourself by following the steps below: Line 1: Your first name only Line 2: Four traits that describe you Line 3: Sibling of/brother of/friend of/etc. and a name Line 4: Lover of (3 people and/or ideas) Line 5: Who feels (3 things) Line 6: Who needs (3 things) Line 7: Who gives (3 things) Line 8: Who fears (3 things) Line 9: Who would like to see (3 things) Line 10: Resident of (place) Line 11: Your last name only.

18. Bio-poem Sam Honest, happy, content, fun Brother of Larry, Jim, and Connie Lover of baseball, computer games and summer Who feels joy at Christmas, loneliness in the dark, and happiness with friends Who needs lots of sunshine, good books, and some privacy Who gives good advice, funny jokes, and lasting friendship Who fears wars, hunger, and the end of a good book Who would like to see wars ended, people smiling, and more summer vacation Resident of Hampton, New Brunswick, Canada Jones

19. Ms. Finnigan’s Bio-poem Tara Happy, thoughtful, witty, slightly-nerdy Sibling of Kyle Lover of family, summer, and books Who feels love, serenity, and worry Who needs chocolate, exercise, and more time Who gives money, time, and her all Who fears clowns, small spaces, and pigeons Who would like to see students succeed, a happy family, and a book with her name on it Resident of Kingston, New Brunswick Finnigan

20. Assignment DUE FRIDAY FOR HOMEWORK: Pre-writing: NOTETAKING/BRAINSTORM Name two historical, famous, and/or cultural figures you admire. For each, brainstorm what they accomplished, what they had to overcome, and why you admire them.

21. Bio-Pyramid Poem Bio-Pyramid Poems give insight into a person (or character). They are shaped like a pyramid. Use the following structure to write TWO bio-poems: • The person’s name (one word) • Two words describing the person • Three words describing the person’s childhood • Four words indicating a problem the person had to overcome • Five words stating one of his/her accomplishments • Six words stating a second accomplishment • Seven words stating a third accomplishment • Eight words stating how humankind benefited from his/her accomplishments

22. Bio-pyramid Poem Bob Music, dreadlocks Difficult, sad, lonely Death of his father He learned good self defense Formed a band called the teenagers Was awarded the Jamaican Order of Merit He brought joy to people with his music -- Kayla Pugh (2007)

23. Bio-pyramid Poem Lennon National Threat Born During War Isolation, Addiction, Nixon Survived the Chaos of Beatlemania Offered Hair Peace and Bed Peace “War Is Over If You Want It” Encouraged the World to Give Peace a Chance -- Ryan Harley (2007)

24. Notes for Poetry • The Art of Poetry • TYPES OF POETRY

25. POETRY FORM • FORM - the appearance of the words on the page • LINE - a group of words together on one line of the poem • STANZA - a group of lines arranged together

26. Poetry is Art A poem is a deliberate creation intended to convey something from the writer to the reader. There are three basic elements of poetry: IMAGE SOUND MEANING

27. The Aims of Poetry Poetry generally aims to accomplish one or more of the following: • Reveal deep personal feelings • Tell a story • Present drama • Reveal character • Make social commentary • Entertain

28. Lyric Poetry Lyric poetry covers most poems that express personal feelings/thoughts of a speaker (the persona) or the poet in a lyric. Lyric poetry deals primarily with basic human needs, thoughts, feelings, common human experiences, and well-known things, and often helps us to think about these things in a new way.

29. Dramatic Poetry Dramatic poetry is intended to be read aloud or performed in front of an audience (e.g. Shakespeare’s plays).

30. Social Commentary Poetry This type of poetry comments on some aspect(s) of society. It creatively criticizes social habits, customs, attitudes, and problems in order to promote change in individuals, groups, or society as a whole.

31. Narrative Poetry Narrative poetry tells a story in simple, direct, rhythmical language with a strong emphasis on plot or physical action. Narrative poems often deal with history or myth/legend. The most common types of narrative poems are epics and ballads.

32. Light Verse Light verse includes such well-known forms as limericks, parodies, epigrams, and satire. The main purpose of light verse is to entertain or amuse. Often, though, there is an underlying serious purpose behind the humour.

33. Limericks The limerick is a closed form. It is light verse, and is often humorous, frequently highlighting people’s actions, mannerisms, and eccentricities. Limericks are composed of five lines, with the rhyme scheme a a b b a. They also usually (but not always) follow a set rhythm. Framework for the poem: Line 1 – Tell about the subject (usually where he/she is from); 8 syllables. Line 2 – Tell something about the person, or describe him/her; 9 syllables. Lines 3 and 4 – Build up the peculiarity mentioned in line 2; 5 syllables each. Line 5 – Round off the limerick with an unexpected and funny conclusion, based upon whatever was written in the first 4 lines; 9 syllables. e.g. There once was a man from Perth Who was born on the day of his birth He was wed so they say On his wife’s wedding day And he died on his last day on Earth Complete at least THREE limericks. Put them all on the same page.

34. Light Verse - Limericks A mathematician named Bath Let x equal half that he hath. He gave away y Then sat down to pi And choked. What a sad aftermath. A minor league pitcher, McDowell Pitched an egg at a batter named Owl. They cried, “Get a hit!” But it hatched in the mitt And the umpire declared it a fowl.

35. Acrostic Poems – write 3 of your own Poem English Math Pretty Easy Meaningful Original Natural Arithmetic Emotional Great Terrific Metrical Laughter Hard Interesting Studying Happiness

36. Acrostic Poems Poem English Math Puke Evil Maddening Oh it sucks NO! Awful Ew Gross Tedious Mournful Lines Horrible Icky Stupid Huh?

37. Poetic Forms Open Forms and Closed Forms

38. Closed Forms Poetry is referred to as “closed” if it has firmly established elements (stanza divisions, rhyme scheme, rhythm, etc.) that make it recognizable. They are recognizable by their layout, sound devices (rhyme, rhythm, etc.), and/or general content (some generally have serious tones, others “light” tone, others are usually about nature, etc.) The following list is not exhaustive, but covers the most common forms: Ballad, Elegy, Ode, Sonnet.

39. Haiku: A Closed Form A traditional Asian poetry form, often seen as a tribute to some aspect of nature and the natural world. The subject matter has something to do with nature through one or more of the five senses (usually sight) to capture a moment in time. The season or time of year is often a part of the poem as well. Framework: Line One: 5 syllables Line Two: 7 syllables Line Three: 5 syllables Complete at least THREE haikus. Put them all on the same page.

40. Closed Forms Tanka – a sort of “extended Haiku” consisting of five lines of 5, 7, 5, 7, and 7 syllables (although the syllables in a tanka are likely to vary from this somewhat); the aim is for striking imagery and depth of meaning

41. Closed Forms: Formal Cinquain This poetry has 5 lines of 2-4-6-8-2 syllables. They usually begin with the subject. Each line adds depth to the subject. The last line creates a “snapping” effect for the reader. At dusk The day and night Embrace for one light kiss A purple mist enfolds the two Then dark. Write at least THREE formal Cinquains or Tankas.

42. Closed Forms: Diamantes—Write 3 of your own Diamantes take the shape of a diamond. Diamante – highly-stylized poem of 7 lines in a diamond-shaped pattern Either the subject of the poem goes through a notable change, or there is a notable change in perspectives on the subject. The shift takes place in the middle lines.

43. Diamantes Jeans crisp, new clinging, hugging, appealing school dance, beach, sports fraying, tearing, shrinking old, worn cut-offs Follow this pattern: Line 1 – One noun Line 2 – Two adjectives describing the noun Line 3 – Three participles (words ending in –ing or –ed) pertaining to the noun Line 4 – Four nouns relating to the subject. The second two nouns can have qualities opposite those of the first two nouns. Line 5 – Three participles (words ending in –ing or –eddescribing the change in the noun. Line 6 – Two adjectives describing the new subject (in line 7) Line 7 – A noun showing the completed change in the original noun, or that is the opposite of the original noun in some way.

44. Open Forms Open-form poetry is the sort that does not have fixed features in terms of image, sound, or meaning. These are more “modern” styles of poetry, allowing the author more freedom to be creative. However, they lack the classical intellectual vigor that well-written closed forms demonstrate. Open-form poetry can be the most creative, but also requires the most work on the part of the reader, because each poem must be treated as a unique art piece, with fewer “clues” for the reader about how to enjoy the poem.

45. Open Forms Free Verse – verse that employs condensed phrasing (“packing”), symbolic or connotative language, and does not necessarily follow a scheme for rhyme or metre

46. Johnnie’s Poem Look! I’ve written a poem! Johnnie says and hands it to me and it’s about his grandfather dying last summer, and me in the hospital and I want to cry, don’t you see, because it doesn’t matter if it’s not very good: what matters is he knows and it was me, his father, who told him you write poems about what you feel deepest and hardest. Alden Nowlan

47. Poetry Anthology Example

48. Poetry Collection Project KadieM.

49. I am Poem. I am empty yet complete I wonder if my past will reflect my future I hear constant silence I see pain when I look in a mirror I want to be happy I am empty yet compete I am pretending to care I feel incredibly stressed I touch memories that I try to forget I worry about my hectic life I cry for the people that I love I understand that I'm not perfect I say that I want to succeed I dream of flying away I try to forget my mistakes I hope that one day things will change I am empty yet complete • This poem was inspired by the activity we did in class. I found it to be more on the emotional side of poems. • The devices I used are descriptive, imagery. • I used the words reflect, constant, incredibly and hectic to give a better visual of how I'm feeling and describe it in a more defined way.

50. If Only Poem Owl Beautiful and swift Fly flawlessly Like a butterfly If only he would sleep If only we could co-exist • I was inspired by Ms. Finnigan’s love for owls and we did it as a class poetry activity. I really enjoyed writing this style of poem. • I used simile to compare the owl to the butterfly and descriptive devices to describe the owl. • I used swift, beautiful and flawlessly to add description to the poem