Free-Verse Poetry

What is Free-Verse? ◊ A definition: Verse composed of variable, usually unrhymed lines having no fixed metrical pattern ◊First used in the Bible ◊ A definition: Verse composed of variable, usually unrhymed lines having no fixed metrical pattern ◊First used in the Bible

Elements of Free-Verse ◊Assonance ◊Alliteration ◊Parallel Structure ◊Imagery ◊Onomatopoeia ◊Cadence ◊Assonance ◊Alliteration ◊Parallel Structure ◊Imagery ◊Onomatopoeia ◊Cadence

Assonance ◊The repetition of identical or similar vowel sounds “My tongue, every atom of my blood, formed from this soil…” ◊The repetition of identical or similar vowel sounds “My tongue, every atom of my blood, formed from this soil…”

Practice assonance ◊Examine the picture on the right. Write a few lines describing what you see, using assonance

Alliteration ◊The repetition of the same sounds or of the same kinds of sounds at the beginning of words or in stressed syllables “ I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable ” ◊The repetition of the same sounds or of the same kinds of sounds at the beginning of words or in stressed syllables “ I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable ”

Practice alliteration ◊Last names ending in A-M: Write a short description of a small child eating a melting ice cream cone, using alliteration. ◊Last names ending in A-M: Write a short description of a small child eating a melting ice cream cone, using alliteration. ◊Last names ending in N-Z: Write a short description of a bull rider getting ready to come out of the chute, using alliteration.

Share your work with a partner!

Parallel Structure ◊The repetition of single words or phrases: “ Born here of parents born here from parents the same, and their parents the same ” ◊The repetition of single words or phrases: “ Born here of parents born here from parents the same, and their parents the same ”

Practice parallel structure ◊Use the words “tightly woven,” “ugly,” “hammer,” “over,” and “I think to myself” to write a few lines using parallel structure.

Imagery ◊The use of vivid or figurative language to represent objects, actions, or ideas ◊Using sensory language to create mental images “ I clutch the rails of the fence, my gore dribs, thinn ’ d with the ooze of my skin ” ◊The use of vivid or figurative language to represent objects, actions, or ideas ◊Using sensory language to create mental images “ I clutch the rails of the fence, my gore dribs, thinn ’ d with the ooze of my skin ”

Practice imagery ◊You have thirty seconds to view the picture on the following slide. Then, use imagery to re-create the scene in your own free-verse poem.

Onomatopoeia ◊The formation or use of words such as buzz or bang that imitate the sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to.

Practice onomatopoeia ◊A poem titled “ When Carly Eats Spaghetti ” is on the following slide. As you read it, write down words that are examples of onomatopoeia.

“ When Carly Eats Spaghetti ” When Carly eats spaghetti, She chomps and gobbles and slurps, The spaghetti disappears with a whoosh Sauce slapping and smacking Round her chops. She scrapes the toast round the plate Crunching, grinding every mouthful. She burps, gurgles and leaves the table!

Cadence ◊The rhythmic rising and falling of the voice when speaking or reading poetry.

Practice cadence ◊Listen to the following speech by Shirley Chisholm, the first African- American woman elected to Congress. Notice her use of cadence.

Examples of Free-Verse ◊Walt Whitman- “Walt Whitman”Walt Whitman ◊Walt Whitman- “Walt Whitman”Walt Whitman

Examples of Free-Verse ◊Dylan Thomas- “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night”Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

Examples of Free-Verse ◊Marianne Moore- “The Fish”The Fish ◊Marianne Moore- “The Fish”The Fish

Examples of Free-Verse ◊Langston Hughes- “I, Too, Sing America”I, Too, Sing America