Poetry: It’s Not Just for Hipsters.

Stanza

• A unit within a larger poem. • It’s like separated paragraphs in poetry.

Example of StanzasMy Dog Ate My Essay

My doggy ate my essay,he picked up all my mail.

He cleaned my dirty closetand dusted with his tail.

He straightened out my postersand swept my wooden floor.

My parents almost fainted whenhe fixed my bedroom door.

I did not try to stop him.He made my windows shine.

My room looked like a palace.My jackets smelled like pine.

Copyright © 2005 Darren SardelliAll Rights Reserved

Couplet

• Two lines and ending words in poetry that rhyme

Example:

School is so funI’m sad when it is done

Rhyme Scheme

• This is how the poem is written and organized• Rhyming words are identified by letters of the

alphabet, beginning with “A”.

You look at the last word to determine rhyme scheme

Twinkle, twinkle little star AHow I wonder what you are A

Up above the world so high BLike a diamond in the sky B

• Not every poem has the AABB rhyme scheme like in “Twinkle, Twinkle”.

Sometimes the rhyme can be switched up a bit.

Other schemes include but are not limited to: ABAB, ABCC, ABCB

**If a poem does not rhyme, it’s called FREE VERSE

Identify this rhyme scheme

I hear your heart beatTo the beat of the drumOh what a shameThat you came here with someone

Identify this rhyme scheme

In west Philadelphia born and raised On the playground where I spent most of my days

Chilling out, maxing, relaxing all cool And all shooting some b-ball outside of the school

When a couple of guys, they were up to no good Started making trouble in my neighborhood

I got in one little fight and my mom got scared And said "You're moving with your auntie and uncle in Bel-air"

Identify this rhyme scheme

Settle down, it'll all be clearDon't pay no mind to the demonsThey fill you with fearThe trouble it might drag you downIf you get lost, you can always be found

Just know you’re not aloneCause I’m going to make this place your home