1. Introduction to Poetry
English 8

2. Brainstorm
Let’s compare what we know about poetry and prose (ordinary form of spoken or written language without rhythmical structure)
Think about differences and similarities

3. Poetry vs. Prose
Both are forms of writing that have the goal of communicating or conveying a message to an audience.
How they communicate is slightly different.

4. Poetry vs. Prose Prose Poetry
Most everyday writing is in prose form.
The language of prose is typically straightforward without much decoration.
Ideas are contained in sentences that are arranged into paragraphs.
Poetry is typically reserved for expressing something special in an artistic way.
The language of poetry tends to be more expressive or decorated, with comparisons, rhyme, and rhythm contributing to a different sound and feel.
Ideas are contained in lines that may or may not be sentences. Lines are arranged in stanzas.

5. Poetry vs. Prose Prose Poetry
There are no line breaks. Sentences run to the right margin.
The first word of each sentence is capitalized.
Prose looks like large blocks of words.
Poetry uses line breaks for various reasons—to follow a formatted rhythm or to emphasize an idea. Lines can run extremely long or be as short as one word or letter.
Traditionally, the first letter of every line is capitalized, but many modern poets choose not to follow this rule strictly.
The shape of poetry can vary depending on line length and the intent of the poet.

6. Main Elements of Poetry
Rhythm
Sound
Rhyme, alliteration, onomatopoeia
Imagery
Figurative Language
Figurative vs. literal
Simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole
Form
Lines and stanzas
Lyric, narrative, free verse

7. Rhythm
Rhythm: the sound pattern created by stressed and unstressed syllables.
The pattern can be regular or random.
Rhythm is often combined with rhyme, alliteration, and other poetic devices to add a musical quality to the writing.

8. Rhythm Example I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree.
The purple words/syllables are “stressed”, and they have a regular pattern.

9. Rhyme: The repetition of end sounds in words
End rhymes appear at the end of two or more lines of poetry.
Internal rhymes appear within a single line of poetry.

10. Rhyme Examples Double, double toil and trouble
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the King’s horses, And all the King’s men Couldn’t put Humpty together again!

11. Figurative vs. Literal Language
Words mean exactly what they say
Stated directly
Example: It’s raining hard outside.
Words do not mean what they say but imply something else
Imaginary
Descriptive – helps the writer paint a picture in the reader’s mind using comparisons
Example: It’s raining cats and dogs.

12. Literal or Figurative?
____ 1. The chair was so heavy that I couldn’t lift it.
____ 2. My whole life is one big circus.
____ 3. The bridge of my nose was bruised.
____ 4. The cozy living room waited like a tired friend.
____ 5. The warm evening lingered, quiet as a mouse.

13. Form Poetry is usually written in lines and stanzas.
A stanza is a set of lines grouped together to complete a single idea. They act as paragraphs.
Poems can be long or short and can be written for many different purposes.
There are many different poetic forms – we will be studying three different types.

14. Lyric A poem that expresses the thoughts and feelings of the poet.
Addresses the reader directly, portraying the speaker’s own feeling, state of mind, and perceptions

15. Free Verse A free verse poem does not use rhyme or patterns.
Can vary freely in length of lines, stanzas, and subject.
Is very conversational – sounds like someone talking to you.
Some do not use punctuation or capitalization, or they use other ways of breaking the rules of grammar.

16. Narrative A poem that tells a story and has the elements of a story.
Often narrative poems have a rhyme scheme