Elements of Poetry

Poets have many tools they use to add to the poem’s sound, meaning, and emotional effect on the reader.

• Poetry is the art of expressing one’s thoughts in verse.• It uses few words to convey its

message.• It is meant to be read aloud.• Poetry arouses our emotions.• Poems use imagery or figures of

speech to explain feelings or to create a mental picture or idea.• These suggest action or mood.•Many poems have a specific rhyme

scheme.• Poems can rhyme or not rhyme.

Simile• Comparison

between 2 things, using the words like or as.• Poets use

comparisons between things to make you think about them in a new way.• Used to surprise

the reader and to create strong images.

“The World” by Noel BerryThe trees are like the hair of the world.The city is like the heart of the world.

The wind is a flute playerplaying in the night.

The cars beeping horns are like buttonsbeeping inside the earth.

Each bird is like a single piccolosinging away

and the grass, just like me,being buried under the snow.

Metaphor• Direct

comparison between 2 things.• Does NOT use

the words like or as.• Poet describes a

thing or person as if it actually were the other thing or person.• Creates a clear,

memorable picture and tries to get you to see the original subject in a new way.

“Dreams” by Langston Hughes

Hold fast to dreamsFor if dreams die

Life is a broken-winged birdThat cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreamsFor when dreams goLife is a barren fieldFrozen with snow.

Personification• Type of figure of

speech that gives human qualities to animals, objects, or ideas.• Adds life to a

poem and helps the reader view a familiar thing in a new way.

“Snowy Benches”by Aileen Fisher

Do parks get lonelyin winter, perhaps,when benches have

onlysnow on their laps?

IT’S TIME TO SHOW WHAT YOU KNOW!!!

"Alright, the sky misses the sun at night.“

This is an example of what?

PERSONIFICATION

"I move fast like a cheetah on the

Serengeti."

This is an example of what?

SIMILIE

"You are an ant, while I'm the lion."

This is an example of what?

METAPHOR

As cunning as a fox.

This is an example of what?

SIMILIE

The stars danced playfully in the moonlit

sky.

This is an example of what?

PERSONIFICATION

The river swallowed the earth as the water

continued to rise higher and higher.

This is an example of what?

PERSONIFICATION

As fast as a racecar

This is an example of what?

SIMILIE

His belt was a snake curling around his waist

This is an example of what?

PERSONIFICATION

Can you master EOG style

Questions?

Identify the Elements of Poetry1. Use the poetry books and/or poem handouts

to find an example of each element of poetry.

2. Share your examples with your teams/partners.

3. Be prepared to share your examples with the class. Make sure you can explain why each example fits an element of poetry.