Poetry Workshop

Poetry is a way to put your feelings or expression into

words.

Poems can be...

Free Verse Rhyming

Free Verse Poems...Do not rhymeDo not have a patternDo not have a rhythmDo not have a structure

Rhyming Poems...

RhymeMay have a patternHas a rhythmMay have a structure

Poetry ToolboxWordsRhythmPunctuationStanzasRefrain

WordsChoose the absolute best words for your poem. Use a thesaurus to replace dead words.Think of your five senses; touch, taste, sight, hearing, and smell.

RhythmPoems with rhythm usually contain rhyming words at the ends of linesSpecific syllables are stressedThe rhyming follows a patternRhyming dictionaries are helpful to create rhythm

PunctuationIs used to show the reader how to read the poemMay not have any punctuationMay have commas, periods, question marks, and exclamation pointsNeeds to be consistent

StanzasA divided section with a group of linesA format chosen by the poetMay include a rhyming pattern

RefrainRepetitive line found throughout the poemIs usually found in the same place in each stanzaSimilar to the chorus in a song

Since Hanna Moved AwayThe tires on my bike are flat…

The sky is grouchy gray.

At least it sure feels like that

Since Hanna moved away.

Chocolate ice cream tastes like prunes.

December’s come to stay.

They’ve taken back the Mays and Junes

Since Hanna moved away

Flowers smell like halibut.

Velvet feels like hay.

Every handsome dog’s a mutt

Since Hanna moved away.

Nothing’s fun to laugh about.

Nothing’s fun to play.

They call me, but I won’t come out

Since Hanna moved away.

Judith Viorst

Try one of these possible refrains

On my way to school today

I think I’ll stay in bed

And that was that

If you ask me

Why does it have to be me?

I laughed and giggled all day