Ms. Hotzman English Language Arts Grade 7

Limerick Limericks are short, 5 line poems that are often humorous. These funny poems usually have a strong beat with their AABBA rhyme scheme. This form of poetry was popularized by Edward Lear. There was an Old Man with a beard, Who said, “It is just as I feared ! – Two Owls and a Hen, four Larks and a Wren Have all built their nests in my beard. -Edward Lear

Haiku A Haiku is a Japanese poem sometimes known as a Hokku. They are composed of three unrhyming lines with five, seven, and five syllables. These poems can be written about any subjects from love to nature.

Free Verse Free Verse poetry is either rhymed or unrhymed lines with no set meter that often closely follow the natural rhythms of speech. Poets in the early 1900s were the first to write Free Verse poetry. Walt Whitman wrote many poems in Free Verse.

Sonnet Sonnets consist of 14 lines with a variable rhyme scheme of either Italian (ABBA ABBA CDECDE) or English (AB AB, CDCD, EFEF, GG) origin. A Sonnet traditionally focuses on one thought or question with a clarification or “turn” of thought in the last two lines. Many well-known Sonnets were written by Shakespeare.

Ballad Ballads are poems that tell a story and are often sung. These poems are composed of rhymed quatrains following an ABCB pattern. Traditional ballads were anonymous and told stories of tragedy, comedy, or heroics as well as love.

Elegy An Elegy is a melancholy, thoughtful poem used to mourn the death of a person. Though sad, these poems usually end with comfort and consolation. Elegies have been written for centuries and sometimes follow an ABAB rhyme scheme written in iambic pentameter.

Narrative Narrative poetry is used to tell a story. Narrative poetry is used throughout many other types of poetry, including Ballads, Epics, and Lays. Some Narrative poems are the length of a book, such as the Iliad by Homer.

Lyric Lyric poetry expresses the personal and emotional thoughts and feelings of the poet. These poems do not tell a story with characters and actions but instead address the reader directly. Lyrics were originally meant to be accompanied by music.

Which type of poetry tells a story AND is often sung? A.) Lyric Poetry B.) Ballads C.) Narrative Poetry

You chose Lyric Poetry. You’re on the right track! Lyric poetry is sung, but it doesn’t tell a story. In Lyric poetry, the poet addresses the reader directly to express his/her thoughts and feelings.

You chose Ballads. That’s correct! Ballads are poems that tell a story, and they are often sung. Many Ballads are stories of tragedy, comedy, heroics, or love!

You chose Narrative Poetry. You’re trying; I like trying! Narrative poetry does tell a story, but it’s not usually sung, especially the long ones. In Narrative poetry, poets tell stories with characters and actions.

Sources: Types of Poetry Young Writers Poetry FoundationTypes of PoetryYoung WritersPoetry Foundation