Introduction to Poetry

Question: What do you think of when I say the word “poetry”? “Poet”?

What is Poetry? There are as many definitions of poetry as there are poets. Wordsworth defined poetry as "the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings;" Emily Dickinson said, "If I read a book and it makes my body so cold no fire ever can warm me, I know that is poetry;" an Dylan Thomas defined poetry this way: "Poetry is what makes me laugh or cry or yawn, what makes my toenails twinkle, what makes me want to do this or that or nothing."

Poets?

Can I be a “poet” too? YES! By the end of this unit you will have put together an anthology of original poems created by you! In each class, we will practice a of couple different types of poetry. The work you do in class will then be typed-up, polished, and assembled together to form an anthology.

But, I can’t understand poems! Don’t worry. We will practice reading poems / song lyrics and determining their meaning on a regular basis. This practice will allow you to become a master at reading and understanding poetry!

Figurative Language Rhyme Alliteration Simile Metaphor Personification Onomatopoeia Hyperbole

Alliteration Involves the repetition of the same first sounds in a group of words: “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers…” e=related e=related =related =related

Alliteration “I am the Walrus” – The Beatles “Viva La Vida’ - Coldplay

Learning Poetry Through Music Here is a list of some of the artists’ work we will be looking at over the next couple of weeks; Coldplay U2 The Beatles And even Weird al!!

Let’s Get Crackin’ “Guided Response” poems For these poems, you will be responding to a poem that has already been created, meaning the work is already ½ done!! For an example, we will look at a “guided response” poem that has been created in response to Don McLean’s song “Vincent”

Step 1 Copy out the original poem (in this case, song lyrics), leaving a space underneath each line Starry, starry night, paint your palette blue and grey Look out on a summer’s day, with eyes that know the darkness in my soul Shadows on the hills, sketch the trees and the daffodils Catch the breeze and the winter chills In colours on the snowy, linen land

Step 2 Respond to each line in the poem / song, one by one, by writing down your initial thoughts, feelings, emotions. In other words, describe what each line makes you feel, sense, etc. Starry, starry night, paint your palette blue and grey On a cold, dark night, a harsh breeze reaches into my soul Look out on a summer’s day, with eyes that know the darkness in my soul This day had brought me joy, but, alas, my pain is exposed Shadows on the hills, sketch the trees and the daffodils Darkness overtakes all that is good and pure Catch the breeze and the winter chills I try to stop this pain that haunts me, numbs me, makes me cold In colours on the snowy, linen land For perhaps there is joy and beauty that can still be found in this bleakness

Step 3 Remove the lines from the original poem / song. Now you are left with an original poem of your creation!! Give your poem a title. On a cold, dark night, a harsh breeze reaches into my soul This day had brought me joy, but, alas, my pain is exposed Darkness overtakes all that is good and pure I try to stop this pain that haunts me, numbs me, makes me cold For perhaps there is joy and beauty that can still be found in this bleakness

Now it’s your turn! To begin with, choose one of the poem/song options on your handout and create a “guided response” poem.