Introduction to PoetryEnglish 2

Poetry Unit

Poetic ExpressionBecause poetry is such an individualistic, subjective art form, a definition for poetic expression is difficult to come by. In this unit, we will focus on the following aspects of poetic expression:

● Topics vs. Ideas ● Emotions● Style, type, and form● Line format and Word choice

“Dead Poet’s Society” “We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering - these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love - these are what we stay alive for.”

- Mr. Keating

“Dead Poet’s Society” clip

Topics vs. IdeasTOPIC = the subject of the poem

IDEA = how the author feels about the subject

Consider the difference between the subject of a book and the theme of the book - a book might be about war, but different

authors’ depictions of war could vary greatly.

EmotionsPoetry is one type of writing that truly comes from an emotional response to an image, event, experience, or memory. Poetry is

individual - everyone has different reactions to the world around them.

“A poem begins with a lump in the throat; a home-sickness or a love-sickness. It is a reaching-out toward expression; an effort to find fulfillment. A complete poem is one where an emotion has found its

thought and the thought has found the words.” - Robert Frost

How should I start writing poetry?Consider whether you want to write from a TOPIC (or IDEA) or an EMOTION…

● Is there a specific topic (subject) you are passionate about?● Is there a response to a topic (your idea) that you feel a need to

share?● Do you have an emotional response to something that you wish to

release?

StyleIn your notebook, respond quickly to the following:

What does a poem need to look like and contain to be a poem?

Style● Do most poems rhyme?● Are poems all about emotions?● Are poems a certain length?● Do all poems have a purpose?● Can poets ignore grammar/mechanical rules?● Can poems be funny?● Can poems be sad?● What types of language do you usually see (i.e. descriptive)?

Style - Are these poems?

Is this a poem?

StyleWrite down which poem you were drawn to the most:

1. “Nothing can surpass the mystery of stillness” - e.e. Cummings2. (from “Howl”) - Allen Ginsberg3. “A Gentle Breeze” - Shannon Lea K.4. “Oranges” - Gary Soto

Why were you most drawn to this poem?

Go write a poem!

If I asked you to write a poem RIGHT NOW, what would be your first step?

Go write a poem!Would you…

… follow a formula?

… just write?

… brainstorm ideas?

… look for samples to get “creative juices” flowing?

Hints for getting started:Any of the ways listed would be a good place to start. Only you can decide how you want to write your poetry; therefore, you know the BEST way for YOU to get started.

Some ideas if you’re stuck:

● Look for inspiration from poets/poems you like (includes songs!)● Look at images of something you enjoy● Assess your emotions - are you happy, sad, humored..?● Think about your life experiences ● Think about your family, friends, pets, etc.

Type and FormPoems can be written in any shape or form. However, some poems follow a specific format:

● Acrostic: a word or set of words written vertically downwards; each line begins with each letter

● Sonnet: 14 lines of iambic pentameter, with a specific rhyme scheme and intro/conclusion

● Haiku: three-line poem that follows specific 5-7-5 syllable count● Limerick: usually funny; follows AABBA rhyme scheme with specific

syllable counts● Villanelle: certain lines are repeated to create a refrain (or verse)

Type and Form samples

Type and Form samples

Type and Form (specific Topics/Ideas)● Elegy: a poem about something lost● Ode: a poem celebrating something● Metaphor: the whole poem is a metaphor (comparison)● Narrative: a poem that tells a story● Ballad: a narrative poem with a refrain (repeated verse); usually

about love● Prose: a poem written like a paragraph

Line FormatSince poetry is such an individual art form, your choice of how and where

to break up lines is up to you!

Poetry follows a rhythmic structure, much like a song.

Syllables and rhymes contribute to this structure.

There are two types of rhythmic structures:

Free Verse and Rhyme Scheme

Free Verse Line Format● Invented by Walt Whitman● Usually doesn’t rhyme● Line length + line breaks are up to the poet to decide● Most popular form used by contemporary poets

Rhyme Scheme Line Format● Typically what comes to mind

when thinking of poetry● End words of each line rhyme

in a specific pattern● Creates a rhythmic effect

Word ChoiceSince poetry is often shorter than novels or stories, the words you

choose to use are VERY important, as every word plays a role in the overall meaning of the poem.

● Sensory Language: using words that appeal to the five senses - sight, sound, smell, touch, taste

● Visual Imagery: “painting a picture with words”; strong verbs and descriptive adjectives/adverbs are used

Think SHOWING vs. TELLING

Figurative Language● Simile: using like or as to compare two things

○ “Life is like a box of chocolates.”● Metaphor: a direct comparison between two things; A is B

○ The stars are eye candy.● Personification: giving human-like qualities to non-human

objects○ The podium stood proudly in front of the room.

Sample“Fog” by Carl Sandburg

“The fog comes outon little cat feet.

It sits lookingover harbor and cityon silent haunches

and then moves on.”

Other Word Choices - Sounds● Alliteration: repetitive consonant sounds at the beginnings

of words○ Sally sells seashells by the seashore.

● Assonance: repetitive vowel sounds within words○ There is an avid fan in the grandstand.

● Onomatopoeia: words that sound like what they are describing○ Splash, splat, buzz, pop, woof, meow