An Introduction to

1. An Introduction to Poetry with

2. What is Poetry? Webster’s dictionary defines poetry as language chosen and arranged to create a specific emotional response through meaning, sound and rhythm.

3. Shel Silverstein, a well known poet of the 20th Century says, “ I just hope people, no matter what age, will find something to identify with in my books, pick one up and experience a sense of personal discovery.”

4. Through a study of several Shel Silverstein poems, you will discover many elements, forms, and styles of poetry to stimulate your imagination.

5. Rhyme Words that start with a different sound, but end with the same sound are rhymes. Rhyming lines are designated with the same letter.

6. Rhyme Invitation Rhyme Scheme If you are a dreamer, come in, A If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar, B A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer… B For we have some flax-golden tales to spin. A Come in! A Come in! A From: Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein, pg 9.

7. Rhythm The regular beat of a poem is designated by the stress (΄) symbol.

8. Rhythm Tatooin’ Ruth Cóllars are chóking, Pánts are expénsive, Jáckets are ítchy and hót, So tattóoin’ Rứth tattóoed me a sứit. Now folks thínk I’m dréssed When I’m nót. From: Falling Up by Shel Silverstein, pg 48.

9. Imagery Creates a picture or image in your mind.

10. Imagery New World Upside-down trees swingin’ free, Busses float and buildings dangle: Now and then it’s nice to see The world—from a different angle. From: Falling Up by Shel Silverstein, pg 62.

11. Personification Something not human is given human characteristics.

12. Personification Snake Problem It’s not that I don’t care for snakes, But oh what do you do When a 24-foot python says… From: A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein, pg 44.

13. Alliteration The same sound at the beginning of a word is used repeatedly.

14. Alliteration The Gnome, The Gnat and The Gnu I saw an ol’ gnome Take a gknock at a gnat Who was gnibbling the gnose of his gnu. I said, “Gnasty gnome,Gnow, stop doing that. That gnat ain’t done gnothint to you.” He gnodded his gnarled ol’ head and said, “’Til gnow I gnever gnew That gknocking a gnat In the gnoodle like that Was gnot a gnice thing to do.” From: Falling Up by Shel Silverstein, pg 71.

15. Metaphor A word is used to symbolize another. Example—She is an angel.

16. Metaphor Hot Dog I have a hot dog for a pet, The only kind my folks would let Me get. He does smell sort of bad And yet, He absolutely never gets The sofa wet. We have a butcher for a vet, The strangest vet you ever met. Guess we’re the weirdest family yet, To have a hot dog for a pet. From: A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein, pg 69.

17. Simile A word is used to denote something else using “like” or “as.”Example—She is like an angel.

18. Simile Snowball I made myself a snowball As perfect as could be. I thought I’d keep it as a pet And let it sleep with me. I made it some pajamas And a pillow for its head. Then last night it ran away But first—it wet the bed. From: Falling Up by Shel Silverstein, pg 11.

19. Onomatopoeia Words that suggest the sound something makes.

20. Onomatopoeia Push Button I push the light switch button and–click–the light goes on. I push the lawn mower button and–voom–it mows the lawn. I push the root beer button and–whoosh it–fills my cup. I push the glove compartment button–clack–it opens up. I push the TV button and–zap–there’s Wyatt Earp. I push my belly button… BURP! From: A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein, pg 158.

21. Oxymoron Two opposites put together in a phrase or sentence.

22. Oxymoron Falling Up I tripped on my shoelace And I fell up– Up to the roof tops, Up over the town, Up past the tree tops, Up over the mountains, Up where the colors Blend into the sounds. But it got me so dizzy When I looked around, I got sick to my stomach And I threw down. From: Falling Up by Shel Silverstein, pg 7.

23. Lyrics The words to a song.

24. Lyrics The Unicorn A long time ago, when the earth was green And there was more kinds of animals than you’ve ever seen, And they run around free while the world was bein’ born, And the loveliest of all was the Unicorn. There was green alligators and long-neck geese There was humpy bumpy camels and chimpanzees. There was catsandratsandelephants, but sure as you’re born The loveliest of all was the Unicorn. From: Where the Side Walk Ends by Shel Silverstein, pg 76.

25. Forms Poets often put words in different forms to create the feeling of the poem.

26. Lazy lazy lazy lazy lazy Jane, she wants a drink of water so she waits and waits and waits and waits and waits For it to rain. Forms Lazy Jane From: Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein, pg 87.

27. Limerick A humorous poetic form of 5 lines in a verse with a set syllable and rhyme scheme.

28. Limerick The Castle It’s the fabulous castle of Now. You can walk in and wander about, But it’s so very thin, Once you are, then you’ve been– And soon as you’re in, you’re out. From: Falling Up by Shel Silverstein, pg 171.

29. Free Verse Poetry with no set rhyme or rhythm.

30. Free Verse From: Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein, pg 107.

31. Epitaph A poem often used on a gravestone.

32. Epitaph Put Something In Draw a crazy picture, Write a nutty poem, Sing a mumble-gumble song, Whistle through your comb. Do a loony-goony dance ‘Cross the kitchen floor, Put something silly in the world That ain’t been there before. From: A Light in the Atticby Shel Silverstein, pg 22.

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