Teacher Notes
Teacher Notes
Forms of Poetry - Introduction• Throughout history, poets have written poetry in many
different forms. Some of these forms are known as ‘fixed verse’ while others are known as ‘free verse’.
• Fixed verse forms have a distinct structure. They may also have a distinct rhythm and rhyming pattern. When writing a poem in a fixed form, you must follow the pre-established rules for that particular type of poetry.
• Let’s now examine some of the most common and well-known forms of poetry, as well as some of the guidelines to follow when writing each form.
AcrosticPurpose
Acrostic poems describe a particular topic.
StructureAcrostic poems contain a topic word, written vertically down the page. Each letter of the word begins a new description.
Rhyming PatternAcrostic poems do not usually rhyme.
Acrostic – The WitchWhizzing through the night skyIn and out, she weaves through the cloudsTightly grasping her broomstickCasting her mystical spells Hiding in darkness
Acrostic – Analysis
Whizzing through the night skyIn and out, she weaves through the cloudsTightly grasping her broomstickCasting her mystical spells Hiding in darknessTopic
Descriptions
KenningsPurpose
Kennings poems describe a particular topic.
StructureKennings poems can have several verses. Each verse usually
has three lines which contain two words describing the topic.
Rhyming PatternKennings poems do not usually rhyme.
Kennings – The SpiderWeb-makerInsect-stalkerCreepy-crawler
Hairy-hiderSkilful-climberFear-inducer
Kennings – AnalysisWeb-makerInsect-stalkerCreepy-crawler
Hairy-hiderSkilful-climberFear-inducer
Verses with three lines each
Two descriptive words per line
HaikuPurpose
Haiku poems describe a particular topic.
StructureHaiku poems have three lines. The first and third lines have five
syllables and the second line has seven syllables.
Rhyming PatternHaiku poems do not usually rhyme.
Haiku – The RosePetals red as blood
Fragrant perfume fills the airA delicate rose
Haiku – AnalysisPetals red as blood
Fragrant perfume fills the airA delicate rose
seven syllables
five syllables
five syllables
CinquainPurpose
Cinquain poems describe a particular topic.
StructureCinquain poems have five lines. Each line uses descriptive
words and phrases to create images of the topic.
Rhyming PatternCinquain poems do not usually rhyme.
Cinquain - SnowflakesSnowflakes
Graceful, intricateFloating, dancing, falling
Perfect in their uniquenessFlawless
Cinquain – Analysis
SnowflakesGraceful, intricate
Floating, dancing, fallingPerfect in their uniqueness
Flawless
Title
Two descriptive words
Three action words
A feeling about the title
A synonym for the title
Shape PoemsPurpose
Shape poems describe a particular object.
StructureShape poems are written in the shape of the object they
describe. They have no other formal structure.
Rhyming PatternShape poems do not usually rhyme.
Shape Poem - RaindropsA
raindropslips down
my silent face.It falls so gentlyoff my cheek.
Now gone.
Shape Poem – AnalysisA
raindropslips down
my silent face.It falls so gentlyoff my cheek.
Now gone.
Written to create the shape of a raindrop
OdePurpose
Odes express thoughts and feelings about a person or object.
StructureOdes can have several lines, or several verses. Imagery, such as
simile, metaphor and personification, is usually included.
Rhyming PatternTraditional odes have a distinct rhythm and rhyming pattern;
yet modern odes do not tend to follow these rules.
Ode – To ChocolateOh, chocolate!You are the sweetest of all treats,Texture as soft and smooth as silk,A ball of happiness on my tongue.My heart smiles with every taste,Feeding and warming my soul,Oh, how I adore you!
Ode – AnalysisOh, chocolate!You are the sweetest of all treats,Texture as soft and smooth as silk,A ball of happiness on my tongue.My heart smiles with every taste,Feeding and warming my soul,Oh, how I adore you!
simile
metaphor
personification
LimerickPurpose
Limericks are nonsense poems, meant to make people laugh.
StructureLimericks have five lines. The first, second and fifth lines have the same number of syllables, as do the third and fourth lines.
Rhyming PatternLimericks have rhythm, created by the number of syllables in
each line. They also follow an aabba rhyming pattern.
Limerick – The Old Lady From Rome
There was an old lady from Rome,Who never could find her way home.She would walk down the street,Getting very sore feet,That silly old lady from Rome!
Limerick – Analysis
There was an old lady from Rome,Who never could find her way home.She would walk down the street,Getting very sore feet,That silly old lady from Rome!
The situation
The character
Plot development
Summary
BalladPurpose
Ballads are narrative poems, intended to tell a story.
StructureBallads can have several verses. Each verse has four lines.
Sometimes, verses may be repeated throughout the poem.
Rhyming PatternBallads have rhythm, created by the number of syllables in
each line. They usually follow an abcb rhyming pattern.
Ballad – The ParkI went for a walk to the park one day, And what do you think I found? A busy bee stuck up in a tree, And a bee hive down on the ground!
I bravely walked up to that bee hive, And what do you think I did? I poked that hive and it came alive, So I ran away and I hid!
Ballad – Analysis
Verses with four lines in each
I went for a walk to the park one day, And what do you think I found? A busy bee stuck up in a tree, And a bee hive down on the ground!
I bravely walked up to that bee hive, And what do you think I did? I poked that hive and it came alive, So I ran away and I hid!