Monday, April 22, 2013List Poems

• Writing a good list poem takes more effort than simply jotting down a list.

• They all describe or name things, with specific details that make the poem come alive.

• One type of list poem is a history poem, which details a part of the writer’s life.

• Another type of list poem is the “how-to” poem.

Writing a List Poem• The first step is to brainstorm• Each list poem needs at least 16 different things in it• When you have a good, long list of ideas, read it over carefully

and begin to select what will work together.• Create a picture for the reader of whatever your topic is.• Examine the order in which you place words and phrases; the

order should make sense.• Read it out loud. Does it have a rhythm? Does it fit with the

subject? Is word choice appropriate? Could you use other words that would flow better?

Examples: • A History of the Faulty Shoes by Amanda GranumTiny white lacy slippers that I kicked off when I was a babySweet little pink jellies that I wore on the swing set and broke the strapSoft leather moccasins that had beads that fell offBright pink sneakers that were hard to lace upLittle purple velcro tennis shoes that had a hole in the heelShiny black party shoes that got scratched on the sidewalkWhite leather sandals that got wet in the sprinkler and shrankGreen All-Stars that rubbed at the toeBlack Mary-Janes that I sill wear todayBut who knows?

Example: “How To”• How to Get Out of Homework by Jared Conrad-BradshawI’m feeling sickLook at what the dog’s doingFive more minutesThat’s a beautiful necklaceOh, just a little longerBut, I just reached dark castle and I can’t stop nowThere’s a bomb in my bedroomThere’s a killer outsideThe baby’s sickBut this book is stretching my mind in ways homework can’t I’m feeling sleepyI might wake the babyI just heard a gunshotWas that the phone?After dinner?The cat’s outsideSo is the dogI’m hungryI don’t feel like it.

How to Bathe a Cat

Wear protective clothingWatch your eyesDuck!“Hiiiiiiiissssssssssssssssss”Unlock the claws from around your arm – all four setsNow that you have cat in the tub, start the waterChase catDig cat out from under the bedPut Neosporin on your armGet cat wetDon’t let the screeching stop youShampoo with one hand and hold down with the other oneWatch out!Sharp teethOuch!“Hhhhhhhiiiiiiiiiiiiiiissssssssssss”RinseHold cat downWrap cat in towelDid you seriously think you could use the blowdryer?Where’s the cat?Put Neosporin on the other armCall a groomer

How to Irritate a Teacher

“But I was just…”Don’t proofreadGo to the bathroom in the middle of instructionsComment on EVERYTHINGDon’t listenTake a napBe offended when you get in trouble for breaking rules you knew aboutWhine“My mom wants to know why I don’t have an ‘A’…”Ask questions that have already been answered“Yeah, but…”Ignore them when they give instructions“You never yell at anyone but me…”Seriously, would it take you that long to proofreadAct like school is the only time you get to see your friends“This is stupid…”Assume they’re too old to remember what it was like to be your agePublic Displays of AffectionRoll your eyesMake noise when you yawnForget they’re teachers, not fellow classmatesTalk when you’ve been told not toBe rude to each other and/or to themBlow off your homeworkDon’t listen“Huh?”“How do you spell…”Act like school is punishment“Why can’t I…”Misuse materialsForget that you’re not the only one in the room that matters

Possible list poem subjects:• Things that never die• Things that annoy me• Achievements• Things that are gross• Siblings• My grandmother’s house• Bad cooks• irritating sounds• What money can do• Lucky things• What to do if…• Things that come in handy• Things that are quiet• Things I like about my friends• Memories I’d forgotten• Make-believe places• The perfect friend• Nightitime• Lies I’ve told• Embarrassing moment• my mistakes• When I’m alone I…

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

• Poems of address• A poem of address is a poem that is written to

somebody or to something. Although the reader will learn about the object or person that is the subject of the poem, a poem of address is not about that person or thing. That’s important to keep in mind. If you don’t stay focused on writing a poem of address, it could easily turn into simply another poem about the subject.

Poems of Address, continued

• There are lots of reasons for writing a poem of address. Some reasons are:– a poem that deals with unfinished business– a poem that deals with anger or disappointment– a poem that thanks someoneYou can also write poems to a character or to

inanimate objects.

Examples:• Hiccups by Jennifer NussinowDear Hiccups,You’re the enemy of my mouth and throat.You’re the worst thing that could ever – hic – happen!If you ever should disturb me again,I shall toss you out of my vocal chords.You’re like hail on an angry alligator.So, catch my drift, dear hiccups – hic – and get far, far away.Get out – hic – DEAR, AWFUL HICCUPS!-hic-

Examples, continuedGrandmother by Kate ManthosO Yaya, I miss you.I know I never enjoyedour Sunday lunches with youinside the dining roomnot out in the sun.You were oldI was young.I never talked to youunless I was forcedbut I didn’t knowhow much I loved you.Now you are goneI miss our lunches,the dining room is empty,the chairs pushed in tight.And the maid has left.So have youand I wish you’d come backbecause I miss you.

Science Fair by Emily Hollifield

Oh, Science fair!You’re the painand peril of my days.You’re the occupation ofmy time.You seem to grow shorter,every time I work on you.Why couldn’t you take away,some of your steps,so I can be at peace?You’re the snagat my side.you’re the pea inmy bedthat robs me of my sleep.You’re the problemof my life.Oh, Science Fair,I wish you wouldjust go away!

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Synonym Poetry• A synonym poem is a two line rhyming poem (otherwise known

as a couplet).Examples: School Lunch

Burgers, prunes, and warm spaghetti,To eat this stuff I’m not ready.

ThinScrawny, slender, skinny, slight,Your plump friends tell you you’re too light.

Synonym Poetry, Continued• Each poem is made up of two lines of poetry that rhyme.• The title is the subject of the poem.• The first line contains three or four synonyms for the subject.• The second line of each poem can do one of two things: it can describe the subject a little

more or it can tell how the poet feels about the subject.• Each line generally has seven or eight syllables arranged in a way that gives the poem its

rhythm.• A synonym poem can be funny.

Stringy, clumpy, smells like feet,Sauerkraut I cannot eat.

Chocolate, gooey, topped with icing,Mom’s brownies are so enticing.

Pink and chrome, saves me from a hike,Don’t know what I’d do without my bike.

Loud, a barker, sometimes a cutie,That’s pretty much my mom’s dog, Chewie.

Opposite Poetry• An opposite poem is another descriptive poem that is the opposite of a

synonym poem.• One difference between a synonym poem and an opposite poem is that in

an opposite you describe something by what it is not.• Examples:

What is the opposite of kind?A goat that butts you from behind.

The opposite of chairIs sitting down with nothing there.

What is the opposite of new?It might be stale gum that’s hard to chew,

A hotdog roll as hard as a rock,Or a soiled and smelly forgotten sock.

Opposite Poetry, Continued• More challenging, huh? • Here are some tips:– About opposites– Written in couplets, but can be in two, four, six, eight, or

more lines of couplets.– Will frequently, but not always, start with a question. If you

start with a question, the rest of your poem must answer the question. You could also begin with: The opposite of () is ().

– A good opposite will contain specific details, not simply generalities.

– Your poem still needs a rhythm, even though it will be more difficult to create than in a synonym poem.

Clerihews• Short rhyming poems about historical and literary

figures.• Examples:

Edgar Allen PoeWas passionately fond of roe [fish eggs]He always liked to chew someWhen writing anything gruesome.

Basketball ace, Dr. JIs seven feet tall so they say.His only hang up is buying shoes.But that’s why they invented canoes.

Clerihews, continued

• A clerihew is about a celebrity .• It pokes gentle fun at that person, so it tends

to be humorous (NOT mean-spirited).• It is always made up of two couplets.• The first line ends with a person’s name, so

you must rhyme with that name.

Thursday, April 25, 2013Acrostic Poetry

• Acrostic poetry example:– LAUREN– L oves her mom– A lso likes to cook– U nlikes to clean her room– R uins some things– E ats a lot– N onlikes spaghetti

• The subject of the poem is the title. You can write an acrostic poem with a single word in each line, or you can have longer lines.

Acrostic Poems, Continued

• You can write your acrostic poem as a list, with a different item on each line.

• Or, you can write your poem as a sentence or two that continue you through the poem.

• Your poem can also be a combination of these two possibilities.

• Make sure you have selected items that capture the essence of your subject.

• The fist letter of each line must come form the title or subject of your poem.

• GARBAGE– Grounds of coffee– Apple cores– Rinds of melon– Banana peels– Anchovies from a pizza I wouldn’t eat– Grapes too ripe to eat– Emptying the stinking bag, my jobAny acrostic poem should tell an interesting story about

whatever the subject is.