Poetry+Basics

= Basics of Poetry =

Assignment #1: Purpose of Poetry

 * With your group members, brainstorm at least two reasons people read or write poetry. Use complete sentences. Provide a sentence or two that explains your thoughts for each reason. **


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Assignment #2: Poetry Resources

 * With your group members, brainstorm a list of places you can find or publish poetry. Try to provide places other groups have not thought of yet. Be very specific. For example, if you write "book," I'm sure there are books that do not contain poetry, so your answer would not be accurate. If you have a favorite poetry website, feel free to provide the link in the Poetry Resources. **


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These are are few vocabulary terms I will use when referring to different poems.
 * ** Verse: a single line of poetry **
 * ** Stanza: a grouping of verses that divide or give sections to a poem **

The following poem has 5 stanzas, and each stanza has 4 verses.

//My teacher took my iPod.// //She said they had a rule; // //I couldn't bring it into class // //or even to the school. //

//She said she would return it; // //I'd have it back today.// //But then she tried my headphones on// //and gave a click on Play.//

//She looked a little startled,// //but after just a while// //she made sure we were occupied// //and cracked a wicked smile.//

//Her body started swaying.// //Her toes began to tap.// //She soon was grooving in her seat// //and rocking to the rap.//

//My teacher changed her mind.// //She said it's now okay// //to bring my iPod into class.// //She takes it every day.//

//--Kenn Nesbitt//


 * ** Rhyme: having same or similar sounds (vowels and/or consonants) at the end of words **
 * ** Rhyme scheme: the pattern of rhyme in a stanza focusing on the last word in each verse **

We use a pattern of capital letters to show what verses rhyme with each other. Let's look at first stanza, focusing on the last words in each verse to figure out the rhyme scheme.

Verse 1: iPod Verse 2: rule Verse 3: class Verse 4: school

The first verse will always start with a capital A. Now we can look at the second word. Since iPod and rule do not rhyme, we give the second verse the letter B. Since class does not rhyme with iPod or rule, we give it the next letter of the alphabet, C. We can see that school rhymes with rule, so we give the last line the letter B. The poem by Kenn Nexbitt has a repeating ABCB rhyme scheme for each stanza.

Example: Tongue Twisters are great examples of alliteration! //Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.// //A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked.// //If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,// //Where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?//
 * ** Alliteration is the repetition of beginning sounds in a word. **


 * ** Tone is the attitude or feeling of the poem as suggested by the poet's word choice **

Assignment # 3: Tone
**As a group read and discuss the following poems. What tone or feeling do the words suggest in each poem? Using complete sentences, write the tone and provide at least three examples of words or phrases that evoke this feeling. Remember, use specific words to mean exactly what you want your readers to know. Avoid boring, dull words such as happy and sad.**

//All day I hear the noise of waters// //Making moan,// //Sad as the sea-bird is when, going// //Forth alone,// //He hears the winds cry to the water’s// //Monotone.// //The grey winds, the cold winds are blowing// //Where I go.// //I hear the noise of many waters// //Far below.// //All day, all night, I hear them flowing// To and fro.
 * "Chamber Music XXXV" by James Joyce**

//Oh! To be a flower// //Nodding in the sun,// //Bending, then upspringing// //As the breezes run;// //Hold up// //A scent-brimmed cup,// //Full of summer’s fragrance to the summer sun.//
 * "Song" by Amy Lowell**

//Through wild and tangled forests// //The board, unhasting river flows—// //Spotted with rain-drops, gray with night;// //Upon its curving breast there goes// //A lonely steamboat’s larboard light,// //A blood-red star against the shadowy oaks;// //Noiseless as a ghost, through greenish gleam// //Of fire-flies, before the boat’s wild scream—// //A heron flaps away// //Like silence taking flight.//
 * "On the Mississippi" by Hamlin Garland**


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