What is Poetry? Poetry: a genre of literature that uses figures of speech, imagery, and sound designed to appeal to emotion and imagination

A Poem’s Form and Structure Stanza: a group of lines that form a single unit in a poem. (like paragraphs of poetry) Lines make up the stanzas (like the sentences in poetry).

How many Stanzas and Lines? I have wished a bird would fly away, And not sing by my house all day; Have clapped my hands at him from the door When it seemed as if I could bear no more. The fault must partly have been in me. The bird was not to blame for his key. And of course there must be something wrong In wanting to silence any song.

Four Stanzas, Eight Lines Stanza ONE I have wished a bird would fly away, line 1 And not sing by my house all day; 2 Stanza TWO Have clapped my hands at him from the door 3 When it seemed as if I could bear no more. 4 STANZA THREE The fault must partly have been in me. 5 The bird was not to blame for his key. 6 STANZA FOUR And of course there must be something wrong 7 In wanting to silence any song. 8

Rhythm: the beat, accent in a poem Rhyme: similar sounds, NOT all poems have to rhyme

Literal vs. Figurative Language Literal –the exact or primary meaning of a word or words – means exactly what it says Figurative –involving a figure of speech, not literal – really means something else

Recognizing Literal Language “I’ve eaten so much I feel as if I could literally burst!” In this case, the person is not using the word literally in its true meaning. Literal means "exact" or "not exaggerated." By pretending that the statement is not exaggerated, the person stresses how much he has eaten. Literal language is language that means exactly what is said. Most of the time, we use literal language.

What is figurative language? Whenever you describe something by comparing it with something else, you are using figurative language.

Figurative Language: Effect – create an image in the reader’s mind

Figurative Language: Imagery Devices Purpose = to create an image in the reader’s mind 1.Simile 2.Metaphor 3.Personification

1. Simile A comparison of two things (that may or not be alike) using the words like or as

Examples of a similes Bob is hungry as a wolf. Bob and wolf are two things being compared using “as” Sue smells like a rose Sue and rose are tow things being compared using “like” Lisa looks like a total fox today. Lisa and fox (using “like”) Matt is as fine as chocolate syrup on ice cream Matt and syrup (using “as”)

2. Metaphor A comparison of two unlike things without using like or as (things = person, place, thing, or thought)

Examples of Metaphors Bob is a hungry wolf. Bob is compared to a wolf. Sue is a rose, filling the room with her sweet scent. Sue (or Sue’s scent and rose (or rose’s scent) are being compared. My sister is such a witch. Sister is compared to a witch This class is my ticket to success on TCaP! (this) class is compared to success

3. Personification Comparing a non-human thing to a human (person) by giving it human (person) qualities or actions Personification

Examples of Personification The wind whispered her name. Wind is being personified: Wind whispered” because “wind” can’t actually “whisper”. Love is blind. Love is being personified because “love has no eyes that could be “blinded”. (If something had eyes, saying it is “Blind” – that is not personification. Cat is blind is not personification because it has eyes) IF THE “THING” can already do it – it is NOT personification!

Figurative Language Scavenger Hunt in “The River”

Rules: 1.You and your elbow partners must work QUIETLY. If you talk loudly, other tables will steal your points! 2.Correct answers will be tallied at the end for only those teams that have not been disqualified. 3.For every correct answer, you earn a point. Tables with the most points will win a piece of candy!!

Find 2 similes, tell what 2 things are being compared, and explain the deeper meaning correctly in your words == 10 pts 4 metaphors, tell what 2 things are being compared, and explain the deeper meaning correctly in your words == 20 pts 1 personification, tell what is being personified, and explain its deeper meaning = 9 pts

“The River” by Garth Brooks modified 1.Identify the figurative language in line 1 – 2 pts 2.Explain the meaning of line 1 – 3 pts 3.Identify the figurative language in line 3 – 2 pts 4.Explain the meaning of line 3 – 3 pts 5.Identify the figurative language in line 7 – 5 pts 6.Explain the meaning of line pts 7.Paraphrase stanza 3 into your own words pts 8.Paraphrase stanza 5 into your own words pts

Answer key 2 Similes 3 pts each pt if Line 11 correct 10 pts total –Line 1: Dream is like a River : goals change over time just like a river changes directions, currents, or size –Line 35: good Lord as my Captain : the Lord will guide my life just like a captain guides a ship (vessel) –Line 11: like a bird upon the wind is NOT a simile – just describing the bird soaring on the wind without flapping its wings HOWEVER Line 12/11 these waters are like a bird both the water and bird are on a journey to their goal/destination 4 Metaphors 5 pts each 20 pts total –Line 3: a dreamer’s just a vessel : the person is following where the goal takes him through life just as a vessel (ship) follows where the river takes it –Line 7: makes each day a constant battle : every day is a struggle to achieve that goal; things will often try to prevent you from reaching your goal –Line 9: an I will sail my vessel : I am trying to reach my goal just as a vessel is trying to reach its destination –Line 12: these waters are my sky: the water of the river is unlimited just as the path to your goal is unlimited just as the sky is unlimited 1 Personification – although they are weak, they are still personified 9 pts –Line 18: let the waters slip away: lose the water/dream/path –Line 16: the river runs dry : no more water/dream/path Tie Breaker – if needed – 5 pts – Describe the extended metaphor. Extended Metaphor –The river is a metaphor throughout the whole poem as the changing path or journey to a goal

Bellwork Read “A Good Reason to Look Up” in Textbook Use the TOC to find the page

After Reading Write the main idea of “A Good Reason to Look Up” and compare it to “The River” by Garth Brooks (yellow paper in your folder) Write your comparison on your own paper = ticket out the door