Introduction to Poetry

1. Introduction to Poetry Literary Terms and Techniques

2. Poetically Speaking… • “Poetry is the art of substantiating shadows.”~Edmund Burke • We use poetry to take things that are abstract and make them tangible with words. • Poetry uses descriptive language along with figures of speech to create mental pictures. It’s like art for the mind.

3. Basic Literary Terminology for Poetry

4. Figures of Speech • Figures of speech are expressions such as metaphors, similes, and personifications that make comparisons or associations meant to be taken imaginatively rather than literally.

5. Simile • A figure of speech that uses like, as, or as if to compare two essentially different objects, actions, or attributes that share some aspect of similarity. In contrast to a metaphor, in which a comparison is implied, a simile expresses a comparison directly. • Example: Her words were like gunfire, exploding with every blow.

6. Metaphor • A figure of speech, an implied analogy in which one thing is imaginatively compared to or identified with another, dissimilar thing. • Example: grass- the beautiful uncut hair of graves (Walt Whitman)

7. Oxymoron • A figure of speech in which two contradictory words or phrases are combined in a single expression, giving the effect of a condensed paradox. • Examples: wise fool; living death; silent screams; heavy lightness

8. Personification • A figure of speech in which human characteristics and sensibilities are attributed to animals, plants, inanimate objects, natural forces, or abstract ideas.

9. Example of Personification The moon was but a chin of gold, A night or two ago, And now she turns her perfect face Upon the world below… By Emily Dickinson

10. A Starter Template for “Energy Wheel” Poem (Emotion) is (Color) like ____________ and also like__________ it (Verb) through my (place) It reminds me of the time_____________ It makes me feel_______ like_________ It makes me want to___________

11. Synesthesia • This is the “mixing” of the senses in poetry • Sometimes, it is when the senses are crossed. • Abstract nouns or ideas that have to texture or smell can gain it through the use of synesthesia in poetry

12. A few tips for using Synesthesia • Try to create ideas using the senses that are impossible or fantasy. • There is no right answers, but the reader should be able to experience a connection. • You are expected to use fresh ideas that are different and unexpected. Use care in choosing the right words to create your “sense-mixing”.

13. “Synesthesia or What Blue Sounds Like” • See Read magazine, April 1, 2011, issue, page 20-21 • Try out the activity on pg 21. Prepare to share.

14. “Like What” poem sample Fairness is gray It is neither black nor white It is warm like a sunny spring day Cool like room temperature water Sounds like an umpire calling a foul ball Tastes like justice Smells like victory Looks like two friends sharing recognition It feels smooth like a well-earned certificate It moves like a calm ocean wave… -Collaborative Class Poem, April 2009

15. Poem Templates

16. “Like what” poem (Synesthesisa) (Emotion or Abstract idea) is (color) like________ (hot) like… (cold) like… sounds like… tastes like… smells like… looks like… (texture) like… moves like…

17. Self-Portrait Poem My_________is like__________ My __________are like_________ My _________ are_________ My_________ is___________ My heart holds_______that is______ as ________ I live in_________ and eat___________

18. The Sounds of Poetry More Literary Terms and Techniques

19. Assonance • a close repetition of middle vowel sounds, like the “o” sound in words like roses and golden or the “e” sound in sleep and green. Use in poetry for unity or rhythmic effect.

20. Consonance • The close repetition of identical consonant sounds before and after differing vowel sounds. Uses the same final consonant sound, like up/drip, pain/bone, leave/love, or short/shirt.

21. Alliteration • The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words or within words such as “after life’s fitful fever”. Used to create unity, emphasis, and musical effect. Commonly used in nonsense verse, jingles, and tongue twisters.

22. Example of Alliteration • Betty Botter bought some butter But, said she, “the butter’s bitter.”

23. Onomatopoeia • Words whose sound imitates the sound of the thing being named such as boom, whoosh, pop, hum, buzz, clang, hiss, crack, and twitter.

24. Example of Onomatopeoia • The murmuring haunt of flies on summer eves. • And the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple curtain. • The moan of doves in immemorial elms. • And murmuring of innumerable bees. • “Tis the night of doom” said the ding-dong doom-bells.