Introduction to PoetryIntroduction to Poetry

Learning Objectives:

• To understand similes and metaphor use them effectively in own writing.

Outcomes:

• To understand the terms ‘simile’ and ‘metaphor’ (level 3).

• To create a poem containing up to four similes (level 4).

• To create a poem containing over five similes (level 5).

What is Poetry?What is Poetry? ‘ ‘A short piece of imaginative writing of a personal nature and A short piece of imaginative writing of a personal nature and

laid out in lines’.laid out in lines’.

‘‘If I read a book and it makes my body so cold, no fire can If I read a book and it makes my body so cold, no fire can ever warm me, I know that is poetry’. (Emily Dickinson)ever warm me, I know that is poetry’. (Emily Dickinson)

‘‘Poetry is what makes me laugh or cry or yawn, what makes Poetry is what makes me laugh or cry or yawn, what makes my toenails twinkle, what makes me want to do this or that my toenails twinkle, what makes me want to do this or that or nothing’. (Dylan Thomas)or nothing’. (Dylan Thomas)

‘‘Poetry is artistically rendering words in such a way to evoke Poetry is artistically rendering words in such a way to evoke intense emotion or an Ah Ha! Experience’.intense emotion or an Ah Ha! Experience’.

Key TermsKey Terms► SimileSimile

► MetaphorMetaphor

► AlliterationAlliteration

Comparing things using ‘like’ or ‘as’.

e.g. He swims like a fish. As quiet as a mouse.

Comparing things by saying something is the other.

e.g. Life is a journey. Her eyes were still, blue pools.

The same sound in one or two words.

e.g. Miserable Mary moaned most Mondays. Billions of books.

Simile or Metaphor?Simile or Metaphor?1.1. The boxer had an iron fist.The boxer had an iron fist.2.2. The birds on the telegraph The birds on the telegraph

wire looked like music notes wire looked like music notes on a page.on a page.

3.3. The car shot through the night The car shot through the night like a bullet.like a bullet.

4.4. Her eyes were still, blue pools.Her eyes were still, blue pools.5.5. Create a simile of your choice.Create a simile of your choice.6.6. Create a metaphor of your Create a metaphor of your

choice.choice.

Try it!Try it!► The rain tapped on the roof as steadily The rain tapped on the roof as steadily

asas……► The wind rushed through the house The wind rushed through the house likelike……► His stomach rumbled His stomach rumbled likelike……► Snow topped the mountain Snow topped the mountain likelike……

Simile poemsSimile poems► Draft your own simile poems in your books.Draft your own simile poems in your books.► Transfer your simile onto A4 paper – add Transfer your simile onto A4 paper – add

colour and images!colour and images!

Peer AssessPeer Assess► Present your simile poems…Present your simile poems…

► What was done well and what could be What was done well and what could be improved?improved?

Outcomes:

• To understand the terms ‘simile’ and ‘metaphor’ (level 3).

• To create a poem containing up to four similes (level 4).

• To create a poem containing over five similes (level 5).