The Language of POETRY

A special form of literature that deals with FEELINGS and EMOTIONS by the use of the author’s WORDS and STYLE. What is it?

The author uses his words in different, unique ways to convey his feelings. What is meant by WORDS? Connotation: The feelings and emotions associated with a word. Can be either positive or negative Denotation: The dictionary definition of a word.

Simile Metaphor Personification Imagery Tone Symbol Figurative Language Sound Devices Assonance Alliteration Repetition Rhyme Onomatopoeia

1.Concentrate on WHAT YOU DO KNOW and NOT on what you don’t know 2.Poems ALWAYS have 2 meanings: The denotation (the word meaning) and the connotation (the deeper meaning) 3.Never stop at the end line...read until you get to the punctuation 4.Identify the speaker: The speaker is NOT ALWAYS the author. We have to infer who the speaker is. 5.Read the poem AT LEAST FOUR TIMES How to read a POEM

First time: Write down what you DO know Second time: Identify the speaker and occasion. What TYPE of person...not a SPECIFIC person. Third time: Analyze the figurative language and sound devices Fourth time: Discover the deeper meaning --Now you are ready to figure out the THEME! Read it 4 times? Really?

The Speaker is the person who is talking. You can not specifically identify it like in a short story or novel. You may not be able to NAME them. The Occasion is the event that is taking place. Ex: birth, death, wedding... Speaker and Occasion

People say I’m the life of the party because I tell a joke or two. Although I might be laughing loud and hearty, deep inside I’m blue. Who is the speaker? What is the occasion? Speaker and Occasion?

Imagine there’s no countries. It isn’t hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for. And no religion too. Imagine all the people, living life in peace. Who is the speaker? What is the occasion? Speaker and Occasion?

Whatever mistakes I’ve made, I paid for them and then some. It all comes down to a simple choice. Get busy living or get busy dying. Who is the speaker? What is occasion? Speaker and Occasion?

I just called to say I love you. I just called to say how much I care. I just called to say I love you and I mean it from the bottom of my heart. Who is the speaker? What is the occasion? Speaker and occasion?

Would you know my name if I saw you in Heaven? Would it be the same if I saw you in Heaven? Would you hold my hand if I saw you in Heaven? Would you help me stand if I saw you in Heaven? I’ll find my way through night and day Cause I know I can’t stay here in Heaven. Speaker and Occasion?

Stanza, Repetition, Rhyme, Personification, Imagery

Repetition Why do authors use it?

A group of lines forming a unit of poetry--The paragraphs of the poem Stanza

Same sounding words within or at the end of lines of poetry. Poets use rhyme to add a musical effect to their poetry. Rhyme

Giving human qualities to non human things. Personification Makes us connect better with the image and makes it more vivid to the reader.

The stars danced in the sky What is being personified? The stars What is the human quality it is being given? It dances What is the deeper meaning? The stars twinkled and moved gracefully in the sky Examples

The house appeared depressed What is being personified? What is the human quality it is being given? What is the deeper meaning? Examples

Adding details to a piece of writing that allows the reader to use their five senses in order to paint a vivid picture in their mind. All you are doing is adding STRONG adjectives and verbs! Imagery

The author’s attitude toward the subject he is writing about. THE AUTHOR’S FEELINGS The tone can be either positive or negative NOTE: Don’t get this confused with MOOD!! YOUR FEELINGS Tone

FIRST--identify the speaker SECOND--Make an inference BASED ON THE WORDS, what the speaker’s tone of voice is! THIRD--You GOT IT! How do I figure it out?

Oh, What a sweet child is Hannah Hyde, Oh, how thoughtful, oh how nice, To buy a hat with a brim so wide, It gives shade to the frogs And the worms and the mice Speaker? Tone? Sun Hat--Shel Silverstein

Why is it come mornings, your clothes just don’t fit? Your pants are too short to bend over or sit, Your sleeves are too long and your hat is too tight - Why is it some mornings Your clothes don’t feel right? Speaker? Tone? Why Is It--Shel Silverstein

Oh I'm Dirty Dan, the world’s dirtiest man, I never have taken a shower. I can't see my shirt - it's so covered with dirt And my ears have enough to grow flowers. If you looked down my throat with a flashlight, you'd note That my insides are coated with rust. I creak when I walk and I squeak when I talk, And each time I sneeze I blow dust. The Dirtiest Man In The World

Language the author uses that sounds like the word it represents. Onomatopoeia Describing sounds with words can be difficult so they choose words that SOUND like what they represent.

The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words Alliteration Used to emphasize a group of words.

Seven silver swans swam silently seaward Paul Paterson picked pickles to pay for his plane ticket Examples

Speaker -Who is speaking? Occasion- What is the event that is taking place? Audience- Who is the author writing this for? Purpose - Why did the author write this? Subject - What is the author writing about? Tone - What is the author’s attitude on his subject? SOAPSTone