What is poetry Famous poets have defined poetry

What is poetry? Famous poets have defined poetry in different ways. W. H. Auden called it “memorable speech. ” William Wordsworth believed that poetry is “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings, ” and poet Samuel Coleridge defined it as “the best words in the best order. ” Poetry is different than prose. Prose is regular, ordinary, everyday writing. Poetry takes more thought, planning, and effort. PROSE POETRY Sometimes when I look at clouds I Blue sky up above see shapes and images. I see floating images Cartoons in the clouds.

Other things you should know about poetry. . . v Poets try to convey strong meaning while using the fewest number of words. v. Each word is carefully selected. v. Sounds and visual images are important as well. v. Poetry is meant to be more intense and meaningful than ordinary language.

STRATEGIES FOR READING POETRY 1. Read the poem several times. 2. Keep a dictionary handy. Look up words if necessary. 3. Read the poem aloud (sound is important). 4. Interpret the figurative language used. 5. Interpret the sound devices used. 6. Read lines according to punctuation. 7. Use your senses. 8. Keep reading until you can paraphrase each stanza. 9. Try to describe the author’s purpose in writing the poem.

To enhance meaning poets often use sound devices and figurative language.

SOUND DEVICE DEFINITION EXAMPLE Alliteration the repetition of beginning sounds of words Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Onomatopoeia use of words whose Moo, bang, clatter, sounds suggests click, jingle, swish, (mimics) the plop, snap meaning Repetition the repeating of words, lines, or stanzas The Highwayman came riding, riding up to the old inn door.

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE DEFINITION EXAMPLE Simile a comparison using “like” or “as” Her skin was as soft as silk. Metaphor a comparison that does NOT use “like” or “as” The child was a breath of fresh air. Personification a non human thing is given human characteristics The low cloud bumped into the mountains. Hyperbole an exaggeration Her smile went on for an eternity.

Plan your words and sounds carefully EXAMPLE: O – Oval eyes staring down from a tree W – Waiting to attack L - Looking for food k” just “o O – Ominous nocturnal eyes staring from atop an old hemlock tree W – Waiting for the opportune moment to strike L - Lurching from above; the kill was quick !!! ER TT BE

RHYME SCHEME - a regular pattern of rhyming words in a poem The way a crow Shook down on me The dust of snow From a hemlock tree (a) (b) *You would say that this poem has an “abab” rhyme scheme.

Hey diddle the cat and the fiddle The cow jumped over the moon The little dog laughed to see such sport And the dish ran away with the spoon Rhyme Scheme: ? ? ?

ASSIGNMENTS 1. Label the rhyme scheme for SBWOASE. DUE TOMORROW 2. Complete the graphic organizer on SBWOASE. Study the poem thoroughly. Write a three paragraph summary of the poem. (Write what you think it’s about. ) DUE THURSDAY. 3. Memorize SBWOASE by Friday, May 8 th. Practice saying it aloud. Prepare to recite it in class.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year. He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sounds the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake. The woods are lovely, dark, and deep. But I have promises to keep. And miles to go before I sleep.

HAIKU – a form of Japanese poetry often about nature ØA good haiku expresses a moment of beauty which keeps you thinking and feeling.

HAIKU PATTERN: Line #1: 5 syllables Line #2: 7 syllables Line #3: 5 syllables EXAMPLE: ØOn my backyard fence (where it happens) a cat sings his lonely song (what is happening) each hot summer night (when it occurs)

MORE EXAMPLES: ØTiny hummingbirds dart from flower to flower Rainbows in motion (5 syllables) (7 syllables) (5 syllables) ØOne sparkling spring day I saw a tiny spider spin a web of silk (5 syllables) (7 syllables) (5 syllables)

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow A A B A My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year. B B C B He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sounds the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake. C C D C The woods are lovely, dark, and deep. But I have promises to keep. And miles to go before I sleep. D D