8th Grade Poetry

Mrs. Tweedy

Essential Questions

What is poetry?

Why can one poem mean different things to different people?

What is more important, the message, or the type of poetry used to convey it?

Bio Poem

Line 1: Your first name Line 2: Who is… (three adjectives that describe you) Line 3: Who is brother or sister of... Line 4: Who loves…(three ideas or people) Line 5: Who feels… (three emotions) Line 6: Who needs… (three ideas) Line 7: Who gives… (three ideas) Line 8: Who fears… (three ideas) Line 9: Who would like to see… Line 10: Who is a resident of… Line 11: Your last name

Lines A line in poetry is similar to the idea

of a sentence in writing. Lines may be as short as one word or

very long, depending on the poem – punctuation/grammar rules can be bent in poetry.

When you have two lines together in a poem (and they often rhyme), it is called a COUPLET.

Stanza A stanza is a group

of lines in a poem – it can be anywhere from three lines to the entire poem.

It is similar to a paragraph in writing.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,And sorry I could not travel bothAnd be one traveler, long I stoodAnd looked down one as far as I couldTo where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,And having perhaps the better claim,Because it was grassy and wanted wear;Though as for that the passing thereHad worn them really about the same, 

And both that morning equally layIn leaves no step had trodden black.Oh, I kept the first for another day!Yet knowing how way leads on to way,I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sighSomewhere ages and ages hence:Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by,And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost

Rhyming Scheme

A pattern of rhyme between the lines of a poem.

Rhyming scheme is shown using letters of the alphabet.

I shall be telling this with a sigh (A)Somewhere ages and ages hence: (B)Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— (A)I took the one less traveled by, (A)And that has made all the difference. (B)

Robert Frost

Quatrain

A quatrain is a four line stanza or poem.

The rhyming scheme is often ABAB or AABB.

Example:The sense of danger must not disappear:

The way is certainly both short and steep, However gradual it looks from here;

Look if you like, you will have to leap. -W.H. Auden

Cinquain A cinquain is a five line poem.

Line 1: Title/Subject Line 2: Pair of adjectives (describe subject) Line 3: Three word phrase that describes the subject Line 4: Four words describing feelings toward the subject. Line 5: Synonym for line one

Limerick Limericks are five line poems that

have a specific rhyming scheme and syllable patterns.

They are meant to be jokes or funny and use figurative language.

The last line of the poem should be the “punch line” or heart of the joke.

Limerick Lines 1, 2, and 5 must have seven to ten

syllables and rhyme with each other. Lines 3 and 4 have five to seven syllables

and must rhyme with each other. Rhyme scheme is:

(A) (A) (B) (B) (A)

Haiku

A form of Japanese poetry Always consists of 17 syllables Syllable pattern is:

5 syllables 7 syllables 5 syllables

Most often are written about things in nature but can be about anything

Acrostic Poetry Acrostic poetry can

be about any single subject.

Write the topic down the side of our paper, then write words or phrases to describe your topic.

Concrete Poetry Concrete poetry is

also called shape poetry.

The words are used to create a picture.

Free Verse Free verse is a form of poetry that does not

use traditional poetic devices such as: Rhyme Pattern Or any other musical elements

The point of free verse is that YOU make up the rules for each poem. Line breaks Stanzas Rhyming Scheme

Figurative Language Simile

Comparing two things AND using “like” or “as” in the comparison His face was as hot as the sun.

Metaphor Saying that one is like another Does not use “like” or “as”

The horses hooves were thunder in my ears. Personification

Giving human characteristics to non-human things. The trees reached out and grabbed me as I walked along the

path. Hyperbole

An extreme exaggeration There were a million firefighters at the scene.

Poetic Devices Repetition

The repeated use of a sound, word, or phrase Alliteration

The repetition of consonant sounds Sally sells sea shells by the sea shore

Assonance Word that have the same vowel sound

The cat in the hat swung a bat at the rat Consonance

Repetition of consonant sounds at the middle or end of words He did a flip that made him trip and rip his jeans.

Onomatopoeia Words that imitate a sound

Zoom, boom, meow, bang Rhythm

Repeated patter of beats or stresses

Extended Metaphor Poem An extended metaphor poem is a metaphor

that leads into other lines of poetry. The metaphor continues throughout the

poem. Remember – a metaphor is saying that one

thing is another, not using “like” or “as” Example: The book was a gateway to another

world.

Examples of Extended Metaphor Poems

The Shadow Catby Alyssa Leystra

The cat is the shadowdancing on the wall.Deep and dark and silentslinking down the hall.Reveal him to the nightand he disappears;Lead him to the morning,There's nothing left to fear.The cat is the shadowdancing on the wall,but let him find the darknessand he is hidden from us all.

Lifeby Jeremiah Gerdin and Denan Marquardt

Life is a sinkhole.it once was level and fine.But over years it began to sink,just as my outlook towards life.And just when I thought the holecould not get any deeper,it did.Along with it went away my spirit to live lively.Now I am in too deep.The walls are too slippery.I can't get out.I stop to try, It's hopeless.My spirit and I die.

Poetry Lyric Poetry

This is a song-like (has a rhyming scheme) poem that tells a story.

Narrative Poetry This is poetry that tells a story but often does

not rhyme (usually done in free verse) Ballad

A ballad is a poem that is meant to express the poet’s thoughts or feelings (think of LOVE poems!!)

Poet’s Toolbox Theme

This is the message that the poet wants to give the reader. This is not something that is stated outright, you have to infer it!

White Space Blank space on the page, either between

words, lines, or stanzas. White space can be just as powerful as the words in the poem.

Poet’s Toolbox Form

This is how a poem looks on a page – is it all centered? Does it cascade across the page? Are the lines short or very long?

Symbolism This is used to represent an idea, person, image,

concept, etc. Example: The lion paced the halls of the school, waiting for a student to pounce on. He retreated to his den to await his prey,Of delinquent students, he is most fond.