The wonderful world of POETRY

Line- similar to a sentence in a paragraph Poetry Terms Line- similar to a sentence in a paragraph Stanza- a formal division of lines in a poem, considered as a unit. Often stanzas are separated by spaces. (like a paragraph)

Meter-a poem’s rhythmical pattern determined by the number of stresses in each line. Each syllable gets its own stress or unstressed symbol. ( = unstressed = stressed symbols) Iamb-a foot with one unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable Rhythm-the pattern of beats, or stresses

Feet - stressed and unstressed symbols divided by vertical lines Feet - stressed and unstressed symbols divided by vertical lines. 2 syllables per foot. Lines are described in the number of feet that occur in them.

Types of Meter Dimeter: verse written in 2 foot lines. What do you say Trimeter: verse written in 3 foot lines I know not whom I meet Tetrameter: verse written in 4 foot lines I wandered lonely as a cloud Pentameter: verse written in 5 foot lines All losses are restored and sorrows end

Rhyme-the repetition of sounds at the end of words. Rhyme scheme-a regular pattern of rhyming words in a poem indicated by using different letters for each new rhyme. Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Know Same Me Dough Came Name You Lame Through Tame Perhaps Bear Traps Black

Types of Poems – Fixed Form Limerick – A humorous five line poem with a rhyme scheme of aabba. First, Second, and fifth lines have 9-10 syllables, and the 3rd and 4th lines have 5-6 syllables. Haiku – three line poem that does NOT rhyme – 1st line has five syllables, 2nd line has seven syllables, and the third line has five syllables. They are often about nature. Sonnet – A fourteen line lyric poem in iambic pentameter that has a rhyme scheme of ababcdcdefefgg.

Types of Poems – Non-Fixed Form Free Verse – Poetry not written in a regular rhyming pattern or rhythm. Narrative – poem that tells a story. Lyrical – A poem that uses sound devices (alliteration, onomatopoeia, rhyme, rhythm…) to achieve a musical quality. It usually expresses the feelings of a lone speaker.

Types of Poems – Semi-Fixed Form Ballad – a song like poem that tells a story often about adventure or romance. It has verses that are 4-6 lines and a refrain that is repeated. Blank Verse – unrhymed poetry written in iambic pentameter. Shakespeare often used this in his plays.

Sound Devices Alliteration – repetition of initial consonant sounds Ex. Suzy sells seashells at the seashore. Assonance – repetition of vowel sounds. Ex. How much would could a wood chuck, chuck… Internal Rhyme – words rhyming within a line Ex. The cat sat before he ate the rat. Onomatopoeia – Use of words that imitate sounds Ex. Bang, Swoosh, Snap, Crackle, Pop

Figurative vs. Literal Language Literal Language – words follow their denotation or definition Figurative Language – words mean something other than their denotation or dictionary definition Give the figurative and literal meanings for the following sentences. She is hot. Stick your foot in your mouth. Eat your words.

Types of Figurative Language Metaphor – Comparison of two unlike things Ex. Life is a highway. Simile – Comparison of two unlike things using “like” or “as” Ex. She is as sweet as candy. Hyperbole – Extreme Exaggeration Ex. I am so hungry that I could eat a horse. Personification – Giving human characteristics to something not human The wind sighed softly to itself.

Symbolism In poetry words have deeper meaning than their literal dictionary definition. Oftentimes, one word or phrase can symbolize a concept or idea. The word stands for something more profound -- this is called symbolism. Example: Scales = Justice Lion = Royalty or Courage