Elements of Poetry What is Poetry Poetry is

Elements of Poetry

What is Poetry? • Poetry is the most compact form of literature. • A poem packs all kinds of ideas, feelings, and sounds into a few carefully chosen words. • The words, sounds, and form all work together to create the total effect.

Understanding Poetry FORM -the way a poem looks LINES -what poetry is written in, which may or may not be in full sentences STANZAS -when the lines are separated into groups *Poets chose the arrangements of words and lines deliberately. The form of a poem can add to its’ meaning.

Examples… Form Because I could not stop for Death. He kindly stopped for me. The Carriage held but just ourselves. And Immortality- Groups of 4 lines. We slowly drove-He knew no haste And I had put away My labor and leisure too For His Civility 2 Stanzas

Understanding Poetry continued… SOUND -poems are meant to be read aloud RHYME -words that end with the same sound rhyme RHYTHM -the “beat” of a poem -the part (s) of the poem that are more or less emphasized -poems without a regular rhythm are called free verse REPETITION -repeating certain sounds, words, or phrases gives more emphasis or feeling.

More Examples… • Rhyme: One if by land, two is by sea; And I on the opposite shore will be. • Rhythm: But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends It gives a lovely light (The “O” and “I” sounds are stressed) • Repetition: Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary (The “W”and “RY”sounds are repeated)

Elements of Poetry continued again… IMAGERY -using words and phrases that appeal to the five senses. FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE -words and phrases that help the reader to picture ordinary things in new ways -figures of speech include: simile, metaphor, and personification THEME -the message that the poem conveys

Even More Examples… • Simile: The willows music is like a soprano (Compares the music to a soprano (singer)) • Metaphor: The fog comes on little cat feet (Describes the fog as if it were a cat) • Personification: Summer grass aches and whispers (Compares grass to a human with feelings)

Strategies for Reading Poetry 1. Preview the poem -notice the form, shape, length, lines, and stanzas 2. Read the poem aloud -pause at the end of complete thoughts and look for punctuation marks 3. Visualize the images -picture the images and comparisons 4. Think about words and phrases -wonder why certain words stand out

Strategies for Reading Poetry continued… 5. Try to figure out theme -ask yourself, “what is the message and point of this poem? ” 6. Let your understanding grow -realize what your first impressions of the poem are and reread to find deeper meaning 7. Allow yourself to enjoy poetry -realize what feelings you have after you read the poem and make connections.