 TO BE A POET AND NOT EVEN KNOW IT… Your Autobiographical Poem: How to find your own character through words and rhythm.

Your Goal:  Use this slide show as a guide to help you create your autobiographical poem.  Master each poetic technique by writing down the definition or main idea seen on the slide  Write down your own example of each poetic technique as it applies to your own poem. Hopefully by the end of this lesson, you will have a good portion of your poem already written for you!

Imagery  Imagery allows you to express yourself using senses and perceptions.  Imagery can be something that defines you, or it can be something that you define.  Examples are sound, smell, hear, taste, and feel. Some other examples are shape, color, texture, etc.

Examples of Imagery  “To be tickled pink…”  “It’s that sensation of familial happiness.”  “With her hands as soft as lilacs”  What are the images in these phrases?  How are the images used?  Why could images help your poem?

Your turn: Imagery  Now it’s your turn to try using imagery.  On your sheet of paper, write at least one example of an image relating to your own poetic topic.  Think about how an image can best represent whatever it is you want to say.

Symbolism  Symbolism allows you to use one graphic, written, or physical object and have it represent another, more complex object.  This is different from a metaphorical phrase because symbolism occurs when an object represents another object.  Symbolism is used in poetry when you want to express yourself in a more abstract way.

Examples of Symbolism  “To be the color blue…”  What are the symbols in these phrases?  How are the symbols used?  Why could symbols help your poem?

Your turn: Symbolism  Now it’s your turn to try using symbolism  On your sheet of paper, write at least one example of a symbolic phrase about your own poetic topic.  Think about how a symbol can best represent whatever it is you want to say.

Exaggeration  Exaggerating an idea means you are overemphasizing, elaborating, or dramatizing an idea or a personal trait.  Exaggeration allows you to get your point across in a very larger than life way.  However, don’t let your exaggerations go overboard. You don’t want your message to crowd the meaning.

Examples of Exaggeration  “I’m a million times smarter than any of you.”  “I can stay awake daydreaming for days at a time.”  “And she flew in the air at the sound of a pin drop.”  What is exaggerated in these phrases?  How is exaggeration used?  Why could exaggeration help your poem?

Your turn: Exaggeration  Now it’s your turn to try using exaggeration.  On your sheet of paper, write at least one example of an exaggeration relating to your own poetic topic.  Think about how an exaggeration can best represent whatever it is you want to say.

Alliteration  Alliteration helps you add style to your poem.  By using the same sound (especially the same beginning sound of a word) repeatedly, you create a phrase that is both rhythmic and interesting.  Alliteration is used the best when the repeated sound is the stressed syllable of a word.

Examples of Alliteration  “But she left behind the/ Lesson of love everlasting.”  “…Many millions of answers.”  “But the green glowing blades”  What is exaggerated in these phrases?  How is exaggeration used?  Why could exaggeration help your poem?

Your turn: Alliteration  Now it’s your turn to try using alliteration.  On your sheet of paper, write at least one example of alliteration relating to your own poetic topic.  Think about how alliteration can best represent whatever it is you want to say.

A little more on Repetition  Alliteration is not the only poetic technique that uses some type of repetition.  Repetitions also lends itself well to words and phrases.  Using repetition in some form, such as sound, words, and phrases, automatically gives your poem rhyme and rhythm…What more can you ask for from a poem?!

Examples of Repetition  “My creative mind would never get old./ Get dull. Get misunderstood.”  “Of joy/Of enthusiasm/Of vibrancy”  “To be purple and perky/To laugh every day/To smile at raindrops/To appreciate the violet skies”  What is repeated in these phrases?  How is repetition used?  Why could repetition help your poem?

Your turn: Repetition  Now it’s your turn to try using repetition.  On your sheet of paper, write at least one example of repetition relating to your own poetic topic.  Think about how repetition can best represent whatever it is you want to say.

Similes  A simile is a phrase that makes a comparison using the words “like” or “as.”  Like a metaphor, the two ideas or objects you are comparing are completely unrelated.  Similes are useful in poetry because they help you to colorfully express an idea.

Examples of Simile  “It’s almost like a box of waxed wonders…”  “To be refreshing as an orange…”  “A life as sweet/ As the vanilla ice cream in my bowl.”  What are the similes in these phrases?  How are the metaphors used?  Why could similes help your poem?

Your turn: Similes  Now it’s your turn to try using similes  On your sheet of paper, write at least one example of a simile about your own poetic topic.  Think about how a simile can best represent whatever it is you want to say.

Metaphoric/Figurative Language  Metaphoric and Figurative language allows you to use an image, symbol, animate or inanimate object to represent an unrelated image, symbol, animate or inanimate object.  Metaphoric and figurative language is important to use in poetry because it allows the author to emphasize or illustrate a certain idea in a creative and artistic way.

Example of Metaphoric/Figurative Language  “To be the artist of the sun/ On a clean sheet of paper…”  “To be the color white…”  “Until that red light on my dashboard/Tells me I’ve run out of gas.”  What are the metaphors in these phrases?  How are the metaphors used?  Why could metaphoric language help your poem?

Your turn: Metaphoric/Figurative Language  Now it’s your turn to try using metaphoric language.  On your sheet of paper, write at least one example of a metaphoric phrase about your own poetic topic.  Think about how a metaphor can best represent whatever it is you want to say.

A few more thoughts…  Even though you are writing a poem, it does not necessarily have to rhyme. It can if you want it to, but don’t let your poem escape from its true purpose for the sake of rhyming words.  Make sure that your message and theme is clear. Don’t be so simple that there is no creativity but don’t be so abstract that your poem becomes confusing.  Whether your poem is a rhyming poem or a prose poem, the way you put it on a page is very important. By using intentional and deliberate line breaks in between phrases, you can emphasize important words, sounds, or phrases.

To Recap:  You are now brilliant masters of seven new poetic devices to use in your poem: *Metaphoric Language*Similes *Symbols*Imagery *Exaggeration*Alliteration *Repetition

And because you are a poet…  You could write a poem that is three pages long, is funny, sad, rhythmic, rhyming, etc. However, if you do not include any poetic devices in your writing, you are really not writing a poem at all! You are basically producing a written prose story within a particular column layout. (That is not necessarily bad, but it isn’t what we are looking for here.)  Your poem needs to include at least 5 or 6 of these poetic devices in your poem to receive full credit. You can incorporate them through words, phrases, etc. and in whatever order or place within the poem that you wish.  Remember that you can never write a poem that is wrong. Writing is never wrong, especially when it is meaningful and has a purpose. BUT, you can make your writing that much more intriguing and personal when you use elements that help you in the writing process.

Also remember…  Your poem needs to be about 1-2 minutes long, or about a page with two columns.  Your poem must be performed, so make sure you topic is both appropriate and something you are comfortable with sharing.  On the day we share the poems, you need to have a typed out copy to hand in to me.  Finally, when you are writing, you are not supposed to think about anyone else but yourself. And like I said, take chances and be brave.

 AND GOOD LUCK! I’m excited to learn more about you all and see how creative each of you are. If you have any more questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!