Poetry Notes:Poetry Notes:Odes & SonnetsOdes & Sonnets

““Poetry is ordinary language raised to Poetry is ordinary language raised to the Nth power. Poetry is boned with the Nth power. Poetry is boned with

ideas, nerved and blooded with ideas, nerved and blooded with emotions, all held together by the emotions, all held together by the

delicate, tough skin of words.”delicate, tough skin of words.”-- Paul Engle -- Paul Engle

SonnetSonnet

A 14 line lyric poem. There are A 14 line lyric poem. There are several types of sonnets, many several types of sonnets, many address strong emotions.address strong emotions.

Examples:Examples: William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare Pablo NerudaPablo Neruda e. e. cummingse. e. cummings

OdeOde

A lyric poem, rhymed or unrhymed, A lyric poem, rhymed or unrhymed, written in praise or celebration of a written in praise or celebration of a subject.subject.

Examples:Examples: Pablo NerudaPablo Neruda Sarah KaySarah Kay

SimileSimile

A comparison between two unlike things, A comparison between two unlike things, using a word such as using a word such as like, as, than, like, as, than, or or resembles.resembles.

Examples:Examples: "Life is like an onion: You peel it off one layer at a "Life is like an onion: You peel it off one layer at a

time, and sometimes you weep."time, and sometimes you weep."(Carl Sandburg) (Carl Sandburg)

"you fit into me"you fit into melike a hook into an eyelike a hook into an eyea fish hooka fish hookan open eye"an open eye"(Margaret Atwood) (Margaret Atwood)

MetaphorMetaphor

A comparison between two unlike A comparison between two unlike things in which one thing is said things in which one thing is said to to be be another.another.

Example:Example: "Life is a journey, but don't worry, you'll "Life is a journey, but don't worry, you'll

find a parking spot at the end." (Isaac find a parking spot at the end." (Isaac Asimov)Asimov)

Eyes are the windows to the soul.Eyes are the windows to the soul.

HyperboleHyperbole

Overstating something, usually for Overstating something, usually for comic effect – exaggeration.comic effect – exaggeration.

Example:Example: I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.I’m so hungry I could eat a horse. His teeth were blinding white.His teeth were blinding white. I don’t have two nickels to rub I don’t have two nickels to rub

together.together.

PersonificationPersonification

When an animal, object, or idea is When an animal, object, or idea is given human feelings, thoughts, or given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes.attitudes.

Examples:Examples: My computer throws a fit every My computer throws a fit every

time I try to use it. time I try to use it. The waffle jumped up The waffle jumped up

out of the toaster. out of the toaster.