Introduction to 9 th Grade Poetry A unit where you read, write, create and analyze poetry!!!

Introduction to 9Introduction to 9thth Grade Grade PoetryPoetry

A unit where you A unit where you read, write, create read, write, create and analyze poetry!!!and analyze poetry!!!

PoetryPoetry

Poetry Poetry is the most is the most misunderstood form of writing. misunderstood form of writing. It is also arguably the purest It is also arguably the purest form of writing. form of writing. PoetryPoetry is a is a sense of the beautiful; sense of the beautiful; characterized by a love of characterized by a love of beauty and expressing this beauty and expressing this through words. It is art. Like art through words. It is art. Like art it is very difficult to define it is very difficult to define because it is an expression of because it is an expression of what the poet thinks and feels what the poet thinks and feels and may take any form the and may take any form the poet chooses for this poet chooses for this expression.  expression.  

Poetry, cont.Poetry, cont.

PoetryPoetry is not easily defined. Often it takes the is not easily defined. Often it takes the form of verse, but not all form of verse, but not all poetrypoetry has this has this structure. structure. PoetryPoetry is a creative use of words is a creative use of words which, like all art, is intended to stir an emotion which, like all art, is intended to stir an emotion in the audience. in the audience. PoetryPoetry generally has some generally has some structure that separates it from prose. structure that separates it from prose.

The basic unit of The basic unit of poetrypoetry is the is the lineline. It serves the same . It serves the same function as the sentence in prose, although most function as the sentence in prose, although most poetrypoetry maintains the use of maintains the use of grammargrammar within the structure of the within the structure of the poem. Most poems have a structure in which each line poem. Most poems have a structure in which each line contains a set amount of contains a set amount of syllablessyllables; this is called ; this is called metermeter.. Lines are also often grouped into Lines are also often grouped into stanzasstanzas.  .  

The The stanzastanza in in poetrypoetry is equivalent or equal to the is equivalent or equal to the paragraph in proseparagraph in prose. Often the . Often the lineslines in a stanza will have a in a stanza will have a specific specific rhyme schemerhyme scheme. Some of the more common . Some of the more common stanzas are: stanzas are: Couplet: a two line stanza Couplet: a two line stanza Triplet: a three line stanza Triplet: a three line stanza Quatrain: a four line stanza Quatrain: a four line stanza Cinquain: a five line stanzaCinquain: a five line stanza   

Literary TermsLiterary Terms

Write down the word and Write down the word and the definition for the the definition for the following 18 poetry terms. following 18 poetry terms.

Throughout this unit, we Throughout this unit, we will be looking at examples will be looking at examples of these. of these.

AlliterationAlliteration

Alliteration is the repetition of the Alliteration is the repetition of the samesame sounds or of the sounds or of the samesame kinds of sounds at the kinds of sounds at the beginningbeginning of words or in stressed of words or in stressed syllablessyllables, as in , as in "on scrolls of silver snowy sentences""on scrolls of silver snowy sentences" (Hart (Hart Crane).Crane).. To find an alliteration, you must look the repetitions of . To find an alliteration, you must look the repetitions of the the same consonant sound through out a linesame consonant sound through out a line. .     

Silvery snowflakes fall silentlySilvery snowflakes fall silentlySoftly sheathing all with moonlightSoftly sheathing all with moonlightUntil sunrise slowly showsUntil sunrise slowly showsSnow softening swiftly. Snow softening swiftly. 

_ _ 

AssonanceAssonance

AssonanceAssonance The  The repetition of internal repetition of internal vowel sounds in nearby vowel sounds in nearby words that do not end the words that do not end the same; same; for example, for example, "asleep under a tree," or "asleep under a tree," or "each evening." Similar "each evening." Similar endings result in rhyme, endings result in rhyme, as in "asleep in the as in "asleep in the deep." Assonance is a deep." Assonance is a strong means of strong means of emphasizing important emphasizing important words in a line. See also words in a line. See also alliteration, consonance. alliteration, consonance.

ConsonanceConsonance

ConsonanceConsonance A  A common type of near common type of near rhyme that consists of rhyme that consists of identical consonant identical consonant sounds preceded by sounds preceded by different vowel different vowel sounds: sounds: home, same; home, same; worth, breath. See worth, breath. See also rhyme.also rhyme.

End RhymeEnd Rhyme

End rhymeEnd rhyme is the most common form of is the most common form of rhyme in poetry; the rhyme comes at the rhyme in poetry; the rhyme comes at the end of the linesend of the lines..

It runs through the reedsIt runs through the reedsAnd away it proceeds,And away it proceeds,Through meadow and glade,Through meadow and glade,In sun and in shade.In sun and in shade.

EnjambmentEnjambmentThe continuation of the sense of a phrase The continuation of the sense of a phrase beyond the end of a line of verse (run on).beyond the end of a line of verse (run on).

EXAMPLE: T.S. EliotEXAMPLE: T.S. Eliot’’s s ““The WastelandThe Wasteland””

April is the cruelest month, April is the cruelest month,

breedingbreeding

Lilacs out of the dead land, Lilacs out of the dead land,

mixing mixing

Memory and desire,….Memory and desire,….

FootFoot

FootFoot The metrical unit by  The metrical unit by which a line of poetry is which a line of poetry is measuredmeasured. . A foot usually consists of one A foot usually consists of one stressed and one or two stressed and one or two unstressed syllables. unstressed syllables. An iambic foot, which consists An iambic foot, which consists of one unstressed syllable of one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed followed by one stressed syllable ("away"), is the most syllable ("away"), is the most common metrical foot in common metrical foot in English poetry. English poetry. A trochaic foot consists of one A trochaic foot consists of one stressed syllable followed by stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable ("lovely an unstressed syllable ("lovely

HyperboleHyperbole

HyperboleHyperbole A boldly  A boldly exaggerated statement exaggerated statement that adds emphasis that adds emphasis without in-tending to be without in-tending to be literally trueliterally true, as in the , as in the statement "He ate statement "He ate everything in the house." everything in the house." Hyperbole (also called Hyperbole (also called overstatement) may be overstatement) may be used for serious, comic, used for serious, comic, or ironic effect. See also or ironic effect. See also figures of speech. figures of speech.

ImageryImagery

ImageryImagery is an appeal to the is an appeal to the sensessenses. The poet describes . The poet describes something to help you to something to help you to seesee, , hearhear, , touchtouch, , tastetaste, or , or smellsmell the topic of the poem the topic of the poem.  .    

FogFogThe fog comes on little cat feet. The fog comes on little cat feet. It sits looking over harbor and city It sits looking over harbor and city on silent haunches and then moves on. on silent haunches and then moves on.   Carl Sandburg  Carl Sandburg  

Internal RhymeInternal RhymeINTERNAL RHYMEINTERNAL RHYME: A poetic device in which a : A poetic device in which a word in the middle of a line rhymes with a word word in the middle of a line rhymes with a word at the end of the same metrical line. at the end of the same metrical line.

Internal rhyme appears in the first and third lines in Internal rhyme appears in the first and third lines in this excerpt from Shelley's "The Cloud":this excerpt from Shelley's "The Cloud":

1.1. I silently laugh at my own cenotaph,I silently laugh at my own cenotaph,2. 2. And out of the caverns of rain,And out of the caverns of rain,3. 3. Like a child from the womb, like a ghost from Like a child from the womb, like a ghost from the the 4. 4. tomb, tomb, 5. 5. I arise and unbuild it again.I arise and unbuild it again.

MetaphorMetaphor

MetaphorMetaphor A metaphor is a figure of  A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things, without using the word two unlike things, without using the word like or as.like or as.

The comparison is made with the words is or The comparison is made with the words is or are:are:

Your beauty is the sun in my life. Your beauty is the sun in my life.

Your teeth are pearls that glisten in the light.Your teeth are pearls that glisten in the light.

MeterMeter

MeterMeter When a  When a rhythmic pattern of rhythmic pattern of stresses recurs in a stresses recurs in a poem, it is called poem, it is called meter.meter. Metrical Metrical patterns are patterns are determined by the determined by the type and number of type and number of feet in a line of verse.feet in a line of verse.

OnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeia

OnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeia - the use  - the use of a word that resembles of a word that resembles the sound it denotes. the sound it denotes. BBuzz, rattle, bang, and uzz, rattle, bang, and sizzle all reflect sizzle all reflect onomatopoeia. onomatopoeia. onomatopoeia can also onomatopoeia can also consist of more than one consist of more than one word; writers sometimes word; writers sometimes create lines or whole create lines or whole passages in which the passages in which the sound of the words helps sound of the words helps to convey their meanings. to convey their meanings.

PersonificationPersonification

PersonificationPersonification A form  A form of metaphor in which of metaphor in which human characteristics are human characteristics are attributed to nonhuman attributed to nonhuman things.things. Personification Personification offers the writer a way to offers the writer a way to give the world life and give the world life and motion by assigning motion by assigning familiar human behaviors familiar human behaviors and emotions to animals, and emotions to animals, inanimate objects, and inanimate objects, and abstract ideas. abstract ideas.

QuatrainQuatrain

QuatrainQuatrain A four-line  A four-line stanza. stanza. Quatrains are Quatrains are the most common the most common stanzaic form in the stanzaic form in the English language; English language; they can have various they can have various meters and rhyme meters and rhyme schemes. See also schemes. See also meter, rhyme, stanza. meter, rhyme, stanza.

RepititionRepitition

RepetitionRepetition is an effective literary device is an effective literary device that may suggest order, or add special that may suggest order, or add special meaning to a piece of literature or poetry. meaning to a piece of literature or poetry. The repeating of words, phrases, lines, or The repeating of words, phrases, lines, or stanzas. stanzas.

SimileSimile SimileSimile A common figure  A common figure

of speech that makes an of speech that makes an explicit comparison explicit comparison between two things by between two things by using words such as like, using words such as like, as, than, appears, and as, than, appears, and seems:seems:

"A sip of Mrs. Cook"A sip of Mrs. Cook’’s coffee s coffee is like a punch in the is like a punch in the stomach." The stomach." The effectiveness of this simile effectiveness of this simile is created by the is created by the differences between the differences between the two things compared. two things compared.

StanzaStanza

StanzaStanza In poetry, stanza refers to In poetry, stanza refers to a grouping a grouping of lines, set off by a space, that usually has a of lines, set off by a space, that usually has a set pattern of meter and rhymeset pattern of meter and rhyme. See also line, . See also line, meter, rhyme. meter, rhyme.

VerseVerseVerseVerse- poetic lines - poetic lines

composed in a composed in a measured rhythmical measured rhythmical pattern, that are often, pattern, that are often, but not necessarily, but not necessarily, rhymed. rhymed.

As opposed to As opposed to ““Prose,Prose,”” the ordinary language the ordinary language used in speaking and used in speaking and writingwriting

Types of PoetryTypes of Poetry

You will just need You will just need to write what is in to write what is in yellow on the yellow on the following slides.following slides.

BalladsBalladsBalladBallad  - a song, transmitted orally from - a song, transmitted orally from

generation to generation, that tells a story and generation to generation, that tells a story and that eventually is written downthat eventually is written down. .

As such, ballads usually cannot be traced to a As such, ballads usually cannot be traced to a particular author or group of authors. Typically, particular author or group of authors. Typically, ballads are dramatic, condensed, and ballads are dramatic, condensed, and impersonal narratives.impersonal narratives.

Blank VerseBlank Verse

Blank verseBlank verse Unrhymed iambic  Unrhymed iambic pentameterpentameter. Blank verse is the . Blank verse is the English English verse form closest to the natural rhythms verse form closest to the natural rhythms of English speechof English speech and therefore is the and therefore is the most common pattern found in traditional most common pattern found in traditional English narrative and dramatic poetry from English narrative and dramatic poetry from Shakespeare to the early twentieth Shakespeare to the early twentieth century. century.

ShakespeareShakespeare’’s plays use blank verse s plays use blank verse extensively. See also iambic pentameter.extensively. See also iambic pentameter.

CinquainCinquain

CINQUAINCINQUAIN: : A five-line stanza with varied meter and rhyme scheme, A five-line stanza with varied meter and rhyme scheme, possibly of medieval originpossibly of medieval origin. .

Most modern cinquains have a form in which each unrhymed line Most modern cinquains have a form in which each unrhymed line has a has a fixed number of syllables--respectively two, four, six, eight, fixed number of syllables--respectively two, four, six, eight, and two syllables in each line--for a rigid total of 22 syllablesand two syllables in each line--for a rigid total of 22 syllables..

Here is probably the most famous example of a cinquain from Here is probably the most famous example of a cinquain from Crapsey's Crapsey's The Complete PoemsThe Complete Poems;;

TRIADTRIADThese beThese beThree silent things:Three silent things:The falling snow... the hourThe falling snow... the hourBefore the dawn... the mouth of oneBefore the dawn... the mouth of oneJust dead. Just dead.

CoupletCouplet

CoupletCouplet Two consecutive lines of poetry  Two consecutive lines of poetry that usually rhyme and have the same that usually rhyme and have the same meter. meter. A heroic couplet is a couplet written A heroic couplet is a couplet written in rhymed iambic pentameter.in rhymed iambic pentameter.

Heroic couplet…From Robert Frost: Heroic couplet…From Robert Frost: ““Forgive O LordForgive O Lord””

Forgive, O Lord, my little jokes on TheeForgive, O Lord, my little jokes on Thee

And IAnd I’’ll forgive Thy great big one on me. ll forgive Thy great big one on me.

ConcreteConcrete

CONCRETE POETRYCONCRETE POETRY: Poetry that draws : Poetry that draws much of its power from the way the text much of its power from the way the text appears situated on the pageappears situated on the page. The actual . The actual shape of the lines of text may create a shape of the lines of text may create a swan's neck, an altar, a geometric pattern, swan's neck, an altar, a geometric pattern, or a set of wings, which in some direct way or a set of wings, which in some direct way connects to the meaning of the words. connects to the meaning of the words. Also called Also called "shaped poetry" and "visual "shaped poetry" and "visual poetry," poetry,"

DiamonteDiamonte A A genre of simple of simple concrete poetry consisting of a single unrhymed consisting of a single unrhymed

and untitled and untitled stanza with a visual structure shaped like a diamond with a visual structure shaped like a diamond. . The poem is designed to be seen printed on a page rather than read The poem is designed to be seen printed on a page rather than read aloud. The diamante stanza has seven lines and is normally used aloud. The diamante stanza has seven lines and is normally used as children's poetry; accordingly, many elementary teachers are as children's poetry; accordingly, many elementary teachers are fond of using it to teach children parts of speech, antonyms, and fond of using it to teach children parts of speech, antonyms, and simple poetic structure. Traditionally, the stanza structure is as simple poetic structure. Traditionally, the stanza structure is as follows: follows:

SunSunFiery, brightFiery, bright

Scorching, burning, laughingScorching, burning, laughingSummer, daylight, moonbeams, shadowsSummer, daylight, moonbeams, shadows

Whispering, rustling, sleepingWhispering, rustling, sleepingCool, eclipsedCool, eclipsed

Moon Moon

ElegyElegy ElegyElegy A mournful,  A mournful,

contemplative lyric poem contemplative lyric poem written to commemorate written to commemorate someone who is dead, someone who is dead, often ending in a often ending in a consolation.consolation.

TennysonTennyson’’s In Memoriam, s In Memoriam, written on the death of written on the death of Arthur Hallam, is an Arthur Hallam, is an elegy. Elegy may also elegy. Elegy may also refer to a refer to a serious serious meditative poem meditative poem produced to express the produced to express the speakerspeaker’’s melancholy s melancholy thoughts.thoughts. See also lyric. See also lyric.

EpicEpic

EpicEpic A long narrative poem, told in a  A long narrative poem, told in a formal, elevated style, that focuses on a formal, elevated style, that focuses on a serious subject and chronicles heroic serious subject and chronicles heroic deeds and events important to a culture or deeds and events important to a culture or nationnation. .

MiltonMilton’’s Paradise Lost, which attempts to s Paradise Lost, which attempts to "justify the ways of God to man," is an "justify the ways of God to man," is an epic. See also narrative poem.epic. See also narrative poem.

Free VerseFree Verse

Free verseFree verse is just what it says it is - is just what it says it is - poetrypoetry that is written that is written withoutwithout proper rules proper rules about form, rhyme, rhythm, and meterabout form, rhyme, rhythm, and meter. .

In free verse the writer makes his/her own In free verse the writer makes his/her own rulesrules. The writer decides how the poem . The writer decides how the poem should should looklook, , feelfeel, and , and soundsound. . 

HaikuHaiku HaikuHaiku is one of the most important forms of traditional is one of the most important forms of traditional

JapaneseJapanese poetrypoetry. Haiku is, today, a . Haiku is, today, a 17-syllable17-syllable verse verse form consisting of three metered lines of form consisting of three metered lines of 55, , 77, and , and 5 5 syllablessyllables..

Each Haiku must contain a Each Haiku must contain a kigokigo, a , a seasonseason word, which word, which indicate in which season the Haiku is set. For example, indicate in which season the Haiku is set. For example, cherry blossoms indicate cherry blossoms indicate springspring, snow indicate , snow indicate winterwinter, , and mosquitoes indicate and mosquitoes indicate summersummer, but the season word , but the season word isn't always that obvious. isn't always that obvious.  Rain  Rain  Tip-tap goes the rain. Tip-tap goes the rain. As it hits the window pane As it hits the window pane I can hear the rain.I can hear the rain.

LimmerickLimmerick   The simplicity of the The simplicity of the limericklimerick quite possibly accounts for its extreme quite possibly accounts for its extreme

longevity. longevity. It consists of It consists of fivefive lines with the rhyme scheme lines with the rhyme scheme a a b b aa a b b a. The . The firstfirst, , secondsecond, and , and fifthfifth lines are trimeter, a verse with three measures, lines are trimeter, a verse with three measures, while the while the thirdthird and and fourth fourth lines are dimeter, a verse with two measures. lines are dimeter, a verse with two measures. Often the third and fourth lines are printed as a single line with internal Often the third and fourth lines are printed as a single line with internal rhyme. rhyme.   

Old Man with a BeardOld Man with a Beard Edward Lear Edward Lear There was an Old Man with a beard,There was an Old Man with a beard, Who said, 'It is just as I feared!Who said, 'It is just as I feared! Two Owls and a Hen, Two Owls and a Hen, Four Larks and a Wren, Four Larks and a Wren, Have all built their nests in my beard!' Have all built their nests in my beard!'   

LyricLyric LyricLyric A type of brief  A type of brief

poem that expresses the poem that expresses the personal emotions and personal emotions and thoughts of a single thoughts of a single speaker. speaker. It is important to It is important to realize, however, that realize, however, that although the lyric is although the lyric is uttered in the first person, uttered in the first person, the speaker is not the speaker is not necessarily the poet. necessarily the poet. There are many varieties There are many varieties of lyric poetry, including of lyric poetry, including the dramatic monologue, the dramatic monologue, elegy, haiku, ode, and elegy, haiku, ode, and sonnet forms. sonnet forms.

OdeOde

OdeOde A relatively lengthy lyric poem that  A relatively lengthy lyric poem that often expresses lofty emotions in a often expresses lofty emotions in a dignified style. dignified style. Odes are characterized by Odes are characterized by a serious topic, such as truth, art, freedom, a serious topic, such as truth, art, freedom, justice, or the meaning of life; their tone justice, or the meaning of life; their tone tends to be formal. There is no prescribed tends to be formal. There is no prescribed pattern that defines an ode; some odes pattern that defines an ode; some odes repeat the same pattern in each stanza, repeat the same pattern in each stanza, while others introduce a new pattern in while others introduce a new pattern in each stanza. See also lyric. each stanza. See also lyric.

SonnetSonnet

SonnetSonnet A fixed form of lyric poetry that  A fixed form of lyric poetry that consists of fourteen lines, usually written in consists of fourteen lines, usually written in iambic pentameteriambic pentameter. There are two basic . There are two basic types of sonnets, the Italian and the types of sonnets, the Italian and the English. English.

Final ThoughtsFinal Thoughts

Some might consider the study of Some might consider the study of poetrypoetry old fashioned, yet even in our hurried lives old fashioned, yet even in our hurried lives we are surrounded by it: children's we are surrounded by it: children's rhymes, verses from songs, trite rhymes, verses from songs, trite commercial jingles, well written texts. Any commercial jingles, well written texts. Any time we recognize words as interesting for time we recognize words as interesting for sound, meaning or construct, we note sound, meaning or construct, we note poetics.  poetics.