Poetry An Introduction Websters Dictionary Definition Poetry n
Poetry An Introduction
Webster’s Dictionary Definition: • Poetry (n. ) Compositions designed to convey a vivid and imaginative sense of experience, characterized by the use of condensed language, chosen for its sound and suggestive power as well as its meaning, and by the use of such literary techniques as structured meter, natural cadences, rhyme, or metaphor.
Poetry Quotes • “Things that are true expressed in words that are beautiful. ” --Dante • “The best words in the best order. ” --Samuel Taylor Coleridge • “The spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings. ” --William Wordsworth • “Emotion put into measure. ” --Thomas Hardy
First Read Through- Annotation 1. Circle and define any unknown words. -� Poetry is about word choice, so not knowing one word can alter the meaning entirely � -Think about why an author uses certain words over others -Highlight major metaphors/similes and other poetry terms, such as alliteration, rhyme scheme, etc… 2. Summarize each section/stanza. 4. Determine the universal theme(s). � -Check your comprehension of each individual stanza � -Remember that a theme cannot be one word – a full theme � -Note if the stanzas flow together to tell a story, or not � -You should always be able to support your interpretation 3. Underline/highlight key phrases and literary devices. � -A universal theme should be a message about life that everyone can learn from � -Note key phrases that help prove what the poem is about �
TP-CASTT Interpreting Poetry
TP-CASTT • Title • Paraphrase • Connotation • Attitude • Shifts • Title • Theme
Steps to Understanding a Poem • Look at the title and attempt to predict what the poem will be about • Paraphrase the literal meaning/plot of the poem • Attempt to identify the connotation (emotional meaning) by looking at all poetic devices and HOW the devices contribute to the meaning
Interpreting Poetry • After examining the poetic devices, explore the attitude present in the poem. • Rarely do poets begin and end in the same place- therefore, look for shifts in the poem: • Key words, punctuation, stanza division, changes in lines, irony, effect of structure on meaning, changes in sound, changes in diction
Interpreting Poetry • Examine the title again, on an interpretive level • Identify theme by recognizing human experience, motivation, or condition suggested by the poem.
SOAPSTone • Speaker: Who is the speaker of the poem? What do you know about him or her? • Occasion: What is the occasion of the poem? What is the event that prompts the speaker to speak? • Audience: To whom is the speaker speaking? What do you know about him or her? • Purpose: What is the purpose of the poem? Why do you think the poet wrote the poem?
SOAPSTone • Subject: What is the subject of the poem? (This is a different from "what is the topic of the poem? ") • Tone: What is the tone of the poem? What is the speaker’s attitude toward the subject of the poem? • Theme: What is theme of the poem? What is the poet pointing out about people, society, or life? State theme!
THEME & POETIC DEVICES • List poetic devices • So What? /Theme of poem? • Theme: What is theme of the poem? What is the poet pointing out about people, society, or life? State theme!
Poetry Survey • What’s your favorite poem? • What do you like about poems? • What do you dislike about poems? • What poems did you read last year? • What types of poetry would you like to read this year? • Specific subjects?
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