1. Poetry Terms Quick Review:
stanza: a group of lines in a poem, set off from other stanzas by a space
free verse: poems free of rhythm or rhyme schemes, meant to mimic natural speech
metaphor: the comparison of two unlike things without using “like” or “as”
personification: giving non-human objects human qualities
imagery: descriptive or figurative language that “paints a picture” in the reader’s mind

2. Step One: Read & Analyze Poem
1. Definitions:
2. Examples of Figurative Language or Imagery:
creed – a belief that guides one’s actions
-find 2 (personification, symbols, metaphors, etc.)
tinge – to color slightly
pallid – pale, colorless
hue – shade or tint
3. Decipher the author’s belief statement.
luminous – full of light in the darkness
wring – squeeze or twist to get something out of an object

3. Step Two: Your Personal Belief Statement
Write down a belief statement.
Use your draft from yesterday.
Brainstorm two concepts related to your belief, and give each concept an image.
Example:
Concept – ACCEPTANCE Image – “the warm blanket I wrap myself in to feel safe”

4. Step Three: Outline/Draft Poem – use the back side of your handout
Write a poem that expresses your personal belief statement using imagery and figurative language to illustrate it.
Structure your poem like Mistral’s poem.
Start each 5-line stanza with “I believe”
Should not rhyme – free verse
You will have 2 stanzas of 5 lines each
Insert line breaks and punctuation to help add meaning