POETRY

You will find poetry nowhere unless

you bring some of it with you. 

~JOSEPH JOUBERT

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READING POETRYWhat is a poem?

A poem is a concise verbal snapshot of a poet’s thoughts. Poems work through the images they paint, the sounds they create, and the ideas they communicate.

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The poet doesn't invent.

  He listens. 

~JEAN COCTEAU

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Poetry is not always words.  ~AUDREY FORIS

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Poetry is a mirror which makes beautiful that which is distorted. 

~PERCY SHELLEY, A DEFENCE OF POETRY, 1821

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THE ELEMENTS OF A POEM Poets combine sounds, images, and shapes to make a

unique creation in words that communicate with you, the reader.

The Music of Poetry: Its Sounds Poetry needs to be read aloud. As you read,

listen for words that rhyme and for a rhythm you can tap your fingers to, like music. Listen for words that imitate sounds you hear around you. And listen for letter sounds that repeat.

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Poetry is when words sing. ~6 year old boy

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The Images of Poetry: Its Pictures As you read poetry, let the poet’s words paint

pictures in your mind. Poet’s use sensory images to appeal to sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch.

Poets often use comparisons that give you new ways of looking at familiar things.

THE ELEMENTS OF A POEM

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The Structure of Poetry: Its Shape Pay attention to how the poet has placed the

words on the page. A new stanza or verse may signal a change of focus or of tone. The poet may repeat lines or words to emphasize important ideas.

THE ELEMENTS OF A POEM

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HOW TO READ A POEMThink of reading a poem as having a

conversation with the poet.

Get Ready Look it over Read the title & think about what it suggests

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Get to Know the Poem Read it through Pay attention to the punctuation Listen to the sounds of the words Read the poem again slowly, out loud Look up any unfamiliar words Visualize what the poem is about

HOW TO READ A POEM

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Getting Into the Poem List things that catch your attention (repetitions,

comparisons, rhymes, images, sounds). Pick one line that best represents what you think

the poem is about. Talk about the poem. Share ideas. Listen to the tone of voice (For example, is the

tone teasing, serious, or angry?) Think about who is speaking in the poem. What does the poem mean to you?

HOW TO READ A POEM

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RESPONDING TO A POEM How did you feel as you read the poem? What do you think of the poet’s ideas? Do

you agree? Why or why not?

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What are your favourite images in the poem? Why did you choose them?

What do you think of the sound of the poem – its rhyme, its rhythm, and the words used?

RESPONDING TO A POEM

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How does the poem connect with your personal life?

What would you say to the poet about this poem if you had a chance?

RESPONDING TO A POEM

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What do you think the poem is saying?RESPONDING TO A POEM

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DISCUSSING POETIC LANGUAGE Poets choose their words carefully for specific meaning,

sounds, tone, emotional power, and the picture it paints. Language effects commonly used in poetry consists of…

1. Imagery2. Figures of Speech3. Sound Devices4. Building Mood5. Vivid Language

Seem familiar?

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Imagery

Poets use imagery often in creating poetry. Recall imagery appeals to our five senses:

hearing, sight, smell, taste, and touch. Some images may appeal to more than one sense, and not every poem will necessarily have images that appeal to all of the senses.

REVIEWING LANGUAGE USED IN POETRY

Figures of Speech Similes

Remember, similes use the words “like” or “as” to compare. For example, “The snowflakes were like lace.”

Metaphors Remember, metaphors state a comparison without using the

words “like” or “as”. For example, “The sun is a flaming torch in the desert sky.”

Allusions Allusion are references to a person or place, or a literary text

or character that exists outside the text itself. For example, “His strengths were herculean.” (a reference to

Hercules in Roman mythology ; a man of great strength) Personification

Remember, personification is the description of an object as if it has human qualities or abilities.

For example, “The wind whispered in the trees.”

REVIEWING LANGUAGE USED IN POETRY

Sound Devices Alliteration

Remember, alliteration is the repetition of a sound made by a consonant.

For example, “sweetly singing softly” Onomatopoeia

Remember, onomatopoeia is the use of a word to imitate the sound it names.

For example, “buzz,” “plink,” “sizzle”

REVIEWING LANGUAGE USED IN POETRY

Building Mood Right from the beginning a poet can build mood. Mood

establishes the feelings or emotions that the poet is wishing to communicate to the audience. Word choice, placement on the page, and incorporating suspense can all build the mood of a poem.

Exciting verbs (action words), descriptive adjectives (words that illustrate nouns), and expressive phrases all contribute to a poet’s vivid use of language.

MORE POETIC LANGUAGE TO CONSIDER

Vivid Language

SAMPLE OF A POEM “Dreams” by Langston Hughes (in Sightlines 10 on page 89)

Hold fast to dreamsFor if dreams dieLife is a broken-winged birdThat cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreamsFor when dreams goLife is a barren fieldFrozen with snow.

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Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die repetition Life is a broken-winged bird

alliteration That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreamsFor when dreams go metaphor

metaphor Life is a barren fieldFrozen with snow.

rhyming words: die-fly, go-snow

SAMPLE OF A POEM “Dreams” by Langston Hughes (in Sightlines 10 on page 89)

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HOW TO APPROACH A POEM: SUMMARY Listen for sounds (alliteration, onomatopoeia,

rhyme, rhythm) Look for images/pictures, and sensory details Examine the structure, shape, and

punctuation Search for figures of speech (similes,

metaphors, personification) Connect the ideas in the poem to your own

personal thoughts and impressions

A poem is never finished, only abandoned.  ~Paul Valéry

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Information from Reading and Writing for Success

by Lynn Archer, Cathy Costello, and Debbie

Harvey Toronto: Harcourt Canada (1997)

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OTHER SOURCES Dreams by Langston Hughes. Crane, M.,

Fullerton, B., & Joseph, A. (2000). SightLines 10 (Prentice Hall Literature Series). Toronto: Prentice Hall Canada.

Images provided by: 2010 Thinkstock Quotations provided by:

http://neboliterature.mrkdevelopment.com.au/poetry/poetry-index.htm

http://www.quotegarden.com/poetry.html