2. Poetry is meant to be spoken. Good writers use line breaks and stanzas to show their readers where to pause when reading aloud.

3. First, we will look at line breaks. Practicing with Valerie Worth’s poem “Crickets” we will alter the line breaks. Think about how it changes the rhythm.

4. Crickets talk in the tall grass all late summer long. When summer is gone, the dry grass whispers alone.

6. How did changing the line breaks affect the poem?

7. This is how Worth chose to write her poem. Crickets Talk In the tall Grass All Late summer Long. When Summer Is gone, The dry Grass Whispers Alone.

8. Break a line: according to your natural breath to emphasize a particular word or words to create tension to change the pace or rhythm on strong words, nouns, verbs, and adjectives When thinking about where to put your line breaks, use Georgia Heard’s ideas to guide you.

9. Next, let’s look at stanzas. Stanza is Latin for standing or stopping. Writers use stanzas to signify a change in action or a break in ideas. If you want to make a new stanza, ask yourself if you are changing ideas or changing the action in your poem?

10. Lets look at a poem by Langston Hughes called “Reasons Why.” The stanza break is missing. Just because I loves you--- That’s de reason why Ma soul is full of color Like de wings of a butterfly. Just because I loves you That’s de reason why Ma Heart’s a fluttering aspen leaf When you pass by.

11. Where would you put the stanza break? Why?

12. This is where Hughes put the stanza break. Think about why he put it there. Just because I loves you--- That’s de reason why Ma soul is full of color Like de wings of a butterfly. Just because I loves you That’s de reason why Ma Heart’s a fluttering aspen leaf When you pass by.

13. Remember, poetry is meant to be spoken. Line breaks emphasize natural pauses. Stanzas indicate a change in idea. Experiment with the size, shape and length of your lines and stanzas. Practice reading your poem in different ways.