TO BE A POET AND NOT EVEN KNOW IT…

Your Autobiographical Poem:How to find your own character through

words and rhythm.

Your Goal: Use this slide show as a guide to help you create your

autobiographical poem.

Master each poetic technique by writing down the definition or main idea seen on the slide

Write down your own example of each poetic technique as it applies to your own poem. Hopefully by the end of this lesson, you will have a good portion of your poem already written for you!

Imagery Imagery allows you to express yourself using senses and

perceptions.

Imagery can be something that defines you, or it can be something that you define.

Examples are sound, smell, hear, taste, and feel. Some other examples are shape, color, texture, etc.

Examples of Imagery “To be tickled pink…”

“It’s that sensation of familial happiness.”

“With her hands as soft as lilacs”

What are the images in these phrases?

How are the images used?

Why could images help your poem?

Your turn: Imagery Now it’s your turn to try using imagery.

On your sheet of paper, write at least one example of an image relating to your own poetic topic.

Think about how an image can best represent whatever it is you want to say.

Symbolism Symbolism allows you to use one graphic, written, or physical

object and have it represent another, more complex object.

This is different from a metaphorical phrase because symbolism occurs when an object represents another object.

Symbolism is used in poetry when you want to express yourself in a more abstract way.

Examples of Symbolism “To be the color blue…”

What are the symbols in these phrases?

How are the symbols used?

Why could symbols help your poem?

Your turn: Symbolism Now it’s your turn to try using symbolism

On your sheet of paper, write at least one example of a symbolic phrase about your own poetic topic.

Think about how a symbol can best represent whatever it is you want to say.

Exaggeration Exaggerating an idea means you are overemphasizing,

elaborating, or dramatizing an idea or a personal trait.

Exaggeration allows you to get your point across in a very larger than life way.

However, don’t let your exaggerations go overboard. You don’t want your message to crowd the meaning.

Examples of Exaggeration “I’m a million times smarter than any of you.”

“I can stay awake daydreaming for days at a time.”

“And she flew in the air at the sound of a pin drop.”

What is exaggerated in these phrases?

How is exaggeration used?

Why could exaggeration help your poem?

Your turn: Exaggeration Now it’s your turn to try using exaggeration.

On your sheet of paper, write at least one example of an exaggeration relating to your own poetic topic.

Think about how an exaggeration can best represent whatever it is you want to say.

Alliteration Alliteration helps you add style to your poem.

By using the same sound (especially the same beginning sound of a word) repeatedly, you create a phrase that is both rhythmic and interesting.

Alliteration is used the best when the repeated sound is the stressed syllable of a word.

Examples of Alliteration “But she left behind the/ Lesson of love everlasting.”

“…Many millions of answers.”

“But the green glowing blades”

What is exaggerated in these phrases?

How is exaggeration used?

Why could exaggeration help your poem?

Your turn: Alliteration Now it’s your turn to try using alliteration.

On your sheet of paper, write at least one example of alliteration relating to your own poetic topic.

Think about how alliteration can best represent whatever it is you want to say.

A little more on Repetition Alliteration is not the only poetic technique that uses some type

of repetition.

Repetitions also lends itself well to words and phrases.

Using repetition in some form, such as sound, words, and phrases, automatically gives your poem rhyme and rhythm…What more can you ask for from a poem?!

Examples of Repetition “My creative mind would never get old./ Get dull. Get

misunderstood.”

“Of joy/Of enthusiasm/Of vibrancy”

“To be purple and perky/To laugh every day/To smile at raindrops/To appreciate the violet skies”

What is repeated in these phrases?

How is repetition used?

Why could repetition help your poem?

Your turn: Repetition Now it’s your turn to try using repetition.

On your sheet of paper, write at least one example of repetition relating to your own poetic topic.

Think about how repetition can best represent whatever it is you want to say.

Similes A simile is a phrase that makes a comparison using the words

“like” or “as.”

Like a metaphor, the two ideas or objects you are comparing are completely unrelated.

Similes are useful in poetry because they help you to colorfully express an idea.

Examples of Simile “It’s almost like a box of waxed wonders…”

“To be refreshing as an orange…”

“A life as sweet/ As the vanilla ice cream in my bowl.”

What are the similes in these phrases?

How are the metaphors used?

Why could similes help your poem?

Your turn: Similes Now it’s your turn to try using similes

On your sheet of paper, write at least one example of a simile about your own poetic topic.

Think about how a simile can best represent whatever it is you want to say.

Metaphoric/Figurative Language

Metaphoric and Figurative language allows you to use an image, symbol, animate or inanimate object to represent an unrelated image, symbol, animate or inanimate object.

Metaphoric and figurative language is important to use in poetry because it allows the author to emphasize or illustrate a certain idea in a creative and artistic way.

Example of Metaphoric/Figurative Language

“To be the artist of the sun/ On a clean sheet of paper…”

“To be the color white…”

“Until that red light on my dashboard/Tells me I’ve run out of gas.”

What are the metaphors in these phrases?

How are the metaphors used?

Why could metaphoric language help your poem?

Your turn: Metaphoric/Figurative Language

Now it’s your turn to try using metaphoric language.

On your sheet of paper, write at least one example of a metaphoric phrase about your own poetic topic.

Think about how a metaphor can best represent whatever it is you want to say.

A few more thoughts… Even though you are writing a poem, it does not necessarily

have to rhyme. It can if you want it to, but don’t let your poem escape from its true purpose for the sake of rhyming words.

Make sure that your message and theme is clear. Don’t be so simple that there is no creativity but don’t be so abstract that your poem becomes confusing.

Whether your poem is a rhyming poem or a prose poem, the way you put it on a page is very important. By using intentional and deliberate line breaks in between phrases, you can emphasize important words, sounds, or phrases.

To Recap: You are now brilliant masters of seven new poetic devices to

use in your poem:

*Metaphoric Language *Similes

*Symbols *Imagery

*Exaggeration *Alliteration

*Repetition

And because you are a poet… You could write a poem that is three pages long, is funny, sad, rhythmic,

rhyming, etc. However, if you do not include any poetic devices in your writing, you are really not writing a poem at all! You are basically producing a written prose story within a particular column layout. (That is not necessarily bad, but it isn’t what we are looking for here.)

Your poem needs to include at least 5 or 6 of these poetic devices in your poem to receive full credit. You can incorporate them through words, phrases, etc. and in whatever order or place within the poem that you wish.

Remember that you can never write a poem that is wrong. Writing is never wrong, especially when it is meaningful and has a purpose. BUT, you can make your writing that much more intriguing and personal when you use elements that help you in the writing process.

Also remember… Your poem needs to be about 1-2 minutes long, or about a page

with two columns.

Your poem must be performed, so make sure you topic is both appropriate and something you are comfortable with sharing.

On the day we share the poems, you need to have a typed out copy to hand in to me.

Finally, when you are writing, you are not supposed to think about anyone else but yourself. And like I said, take chances and be brave.

AND GOOD LUCK!

I’m excited to learn more about you all and see how creative each of you are.

If you have any more questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!