POETRY UNIT TERMS:

TERM
alliteration
allusion
couplet
figurative language
hyperbole
imagery
internal rhyme
metaphor
meter
near rhyme
onomatopoeia
personification
repetition
rhyme scheme
simile
speaker
stanza
symbolism

DEFINITION

EXAMPLE

SIMILES:
Next, youll develop some original similes to share with the class. As you complete the chart below,
remember that you must compare two different things, and have a good reason for the comparison.
See the example below.
1. Friends: Friends are like the Mona Lisa painting; they are very valuable and irreplaceable.
2. Money:
3. Television:
4. Nature:
5. Family:
6. School lunch:
7. Bullying:
8. Pets:
9. HMS:
10. Summer:
11. (Choose your own topic)

Metaphors
Definition: A poetic device in which two things are compared directly, without the use of like or as.
Examples: Hes a snake. Love is a journey. Hes not the sharpest knife in the drawer. I am a prisoner here!

Love Is

Dreams

by Nikki Giovanni

by Langston Hughes

Some people forget that love is

tucking you in and kissing you "Good night"
no matter how young or old you are

Hold fast to dreams

For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.

Some people don't remember that love is

listening and laughing and asking
questions, no matter what your age
Few recognize that love is commitment,
Responsibility, no fun at all, unless

Hold fast to dreams

For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.

Love is
You and me

Answer the following questions about the Dreams poem in complete sentences:
1. What is the first metaphor in this poem? What two things are being compared?

2. What is the meaning of that first metaphor?

3. What is the second metaphor in the poem? What two things are being compared?

4. Explain what this poem is suggesting to readers.

5. Explain this cartoon. Use the word metaphor in your response.

Metaphors

&
Emotions
Directions: Think deeply about how different emotions feel. Write some original metaphors to complete
each question below.
1. Happiness is __________________________________________________________________
2. Fear is _______________________________________________________________________
3. Love is _______________________________________________________________________
4. Loneliness is __________________________________________________________________
5. Embarrassment is _______________________________________________________________
6. Courage is ____________________________________________________________________
7. Anger is ______________________________________________________________________
8. Trust is _______________________________________________________________________
9. Jealousy is ____________________________________________________________________
10. Hope is _______________________________________________________________________
Assignment: An extended metaphor is a metaphor that stretches for sentences or paragraphs. Write a
paragraph (Min. 10 lines) that presents an extended metaphor for Hampton Middle School. What is the
middle school? How can you demonstrate that in numerous ways?

Rhyme Scheme
Definition: The pattern of rhyming words in a poem.

More info: The word at the end of each line is assigned a letter, starting with a. All the words in the poem
that rhyme with that a word will also be identified as a. New rhyme sounds are assigned new letters.
Examples: Using lowercase letters, record the rhyme scheme for each poem below.
In June
He tolled
A tune
So bold

__
__
__
__

In June
A tune
He tolled
So bold

__
__
__
__

In June
He tolled
So bold
A tune

__
__
__
__

In June
He tolled
A bell __
So bold

__
__
__

Write a short rhyme. Topic: ______________________________ Rhyme Scheme: ____________

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Write a short rhyme. Topic: ______________________________ Rhyme Scheme: ____________

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Write a short rhyme. Topic: ______________________________ Rhyme Scheme: ____________
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Meter
Definition: The rhythm and syllable patterns of a poem.
More info: When read aloud, poetry has a rhythm. We naturally accent certain syllables, and doing so adds
to the delivery of the poem. Many poems use the same number of syllables (beats) in each line, which adds
to the rhythm.

Record the number of syllables in each line.

I do not like green eggs and ham, _____

I do not like them Sam I am. _____

Iamb
Definition: A pair of syllables, consisting of an unaccented syllable followed by an accented syllable.
More info: Iambs create the rhythm of the line of poetry. ba-DUM ba-DUM ba-DUM ba-DUM.
Mark unaccented and accented syllables. Then, over-exaggerate the iambic rhythm as you read aloud.

I do not like green eggs and ham,

I do not like them Sam I am.
Mark unaccented and accented syllables. Then, read it aloud to identify the problem.

I like to play hockey all day

Basketball is so great, hooray.
Correct the problem by writing a similar 2-line poem with the same basic information:
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

Dissecting Poetry 3 Key Terms

Speaker: The narrator of the poem, from whose point of view the poem is told. *The speaker is not
necessarily the author!
Stanza: A group of lines in a poem, separated from other stanzas by a space above and below.
Couplet: Two rhyming lines that occur together in a poem.

I Taught My Cat
to Clean My Room
I taught my cat to clean my room,
to use a bucket, brush and broom,
to dust my clock and picture frames,
and pick up all my toys and games.
He puts my pants and shirts away,
and makes my bed, and I would say
it seems to me it's only fair
he puts away my underwear.
In fact, I think he's got it made.
I'm not as happy with our trade.
He may pick up my shoes and socks,
but I clean out his litter box.
--Kenn Nesbitt

1. Describe the speaker of this poem in as much detail as

possible. What can you infer about the person?

2. How many stanzas are included in this poem? ________

3. How many syllables are in each line? ______
4. How many couplets are included in this poem? _______
5. What is the rhyme scheme for each stanza?
(Use lowercase letters!)
_____
_____
_____
_____
6. Write a 4-line poem about this room-cleaning cat. In your
poem, the cat should be the speaker. Try to use the same
meter and syllable count as the original poem!

Personification
Definition: Assigning human qualities to a non-human object.
Examples: The flowers danced in the wind.
The tree has branches for arms and leaves for hands.
Opportunity is knocking at the door. Let it in!

1. Below is a list of 8 actions that could be completed by a human. Add 8 more.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

speaks

sings

dances

plays

works

dies

laughs

smiles

2. Use the words above (any tense) to write a sentence that personifies each object listed below.
My cell phone _________________________________________________________________.
The flowers ___________________________________________________________________.
The school cafeteria ____________________________________________________________.
My pencil ____________________________________________________________________.
My shoes ____________________________________________________________________.
3. Extended personification: Write a paragraph in which you personify an object, a place, or an emotion.
Example: Hunger pounced on me in the middle of sixth period. It clawed at my stomach again and again,
and then went for my brain, tearing it to shreds and making it impossible to concentrate. (Keep going!)
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Figurative Language
Definition: Language that uses a comparison or exaggeration to make a point. It is the opposite of literal
language, which means exactly what it says. Similes, metaphors, personification, and hyperbole are all
types of figurative language.

Figurative Version

Literal Version (Class answers)

That student is sharp as a tack.

The jet plane roared down the
runway.
His dad could no longer
stomach the excuses.
The sergeant barked the
instructions.

Rewrite each figurative sentence in literal words.

Figurative Version

Literal Version (Your answers)

The crowd of students melted away when

the principal arrived.
The yellow and brown leaves announced
the arrival of fall.
The wooden bridge cried out in agony
under the weight of the heavy truck.
The driving wind punished the plants.

Rewrite each figurative sentence in literal words.

Figurative Version

Literal Version (Your answers)

The lemonade quenched his thirst on a very hot day.
The robber ran very quickly away from the police.
She was very hungry.
He found the scary movie to be terrifying.
It was very cold that morning.

Hyperbole!

(hi

purrbuhlee)
Definition:

An obvious exaggeration used to make a point.

Examples: She was tickled to death.

His insults made her blood boil.
I was so hungry that I could eat a horse.
Ive told you a million times: sit down!
Directions: For each idea, write a sentence containing hyperbole.
You dont have to use the exact phrase provided, just the main idea.

1. a tall person ___________________________________________________________________

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2. a strong wind __________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. expensive shoes ________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. a headache ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. a fast smart phone ______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. a hot pan ______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
7. heavy groceries ________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
8. a funny movie __________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
9. a long line _____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
10. a loud, crying baby _____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Alliteration!
Definition:
Examples:

The repetition of beginning consonant sounds.

Hear the loud alarum bells-Brazen bells!
What a tale of terror, now, their turbulency tells!
-Edgar Allen Poe

The human ear likes alliteration. Thats why we have the made-up names
Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Salazar Slytherin, Lois Lane, Best Buy, the
Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Philadelphia Phillies, to name a few.

Directions: Complete each blank to create an original alliterative phrase.

___________________

people

___________________

trees

___________________

desserts

___________________

houses

rich ___________________
mysterious ___________________
repulsive ___________________
famous ___________________

Onomatopoeia!
Definition:

Words that sound like the noise they are describing.

Examples:

clang
clunk
bump

achoo
ahem
baa
bam
bang
bark
bash
bawl
beep
belch
blurt
boing
boink
bong

bonk
boo
boom
bubble
bump
buzz
chatter
cheep
chirp
clang
clank
clap
clatter
click

meow
tick-tock
boom

clink
cluck
clunk
crackle
crunch
cuckoo
ding
drip
eek
fizz
flick
flutter
giggle
growl

gurgle
hack
hiccup
hiss
honk
huh
hum
itch
jangle
knock
meow
moo
mumble
murmur

neigh
oink
ouch
ow
phew
ping
plop
plunk
poof
pop
purr
quack
rattle
roar

rumble
rustle
screech
shuffle
shush
sizzle
slap
slash
slurp
smack
sniff
snip
snort
splash

squelch
squish
swoosh
thud
thump
tick tock
tinkle
tsk
tweet
ugh
vroom
whack
wham
whip

whisper
whizz
whoop
whoosh
woof
yikes
zap
zing
zip
zoom

Assignment: Write about a place and the sounds you hear there. Use as much onomatopoeia as you can.

Imagery
Definition: Descriptive writing that appeals
to one (or more) of the five senses.
Example:
Salty is an image word because
it describes a taste.
Non-example:
Hope is not an image
word, because it cannot be perceived with
our senses.
Directions: Below are columns for each of
the five senses. Add words to each list.

TASTE

SIGHT

SOUND

SMELL

TOUCH

bitter

purple

guitar

roses

silky

Assignment: Think of a place you know well. It could be your room, part of the school, or even a favorite
vacation spot. Write a paragraph that uses plenty of imagery - including at least one example for each of the
five senses - to describe this place.

Symbolism
Definition: A literary device where an author uses something - often an object or a color - to symbolize or
represent something else. The American flag is not just a piece of cloth; its a symbol of our history, our
national pride, the wars weve fought, the principles we believe in, and a lot more. Authors could use almost
anything as a symbol, and some are more common than others. A book could represent knowledge, a caged
bird could represent imprisonment, an old man could represent wisdom, etc.

Directions: Below, youll find a series of photos showing commonly used symbols. First, explain what the
item symbolizes. Then, write a poetic line that uses the symbol. An example has been completed for you.
SYMBOL

WHAT DOES IT SYMBOLIZE?

Love, romance, health, life

BE A POET!
I gave her my heart, but she chewed it apart.
(Your example doesnt need to rhyme!)

Light

Darkness

(Create your own)

Allusion
Definition: An indirect reference to a person, place, thing, event, or especially a piece of writing, that many
people are already familiar with.
More info: Allusions are everywhere. We see them in writing, speaking and songs. They help people
develop a more complex understanding by building upon past knowledge, and they help the writer or
speaker convey complex meaning quickly. As you continue to experience and learn new things, you will
become better at spotting allusions, because you will have a greater foundation of knowledge to draw from.
Look at the examples below. Then, complete the rest of the table.
When someone says:

What are they alluding to? What is being suggested?

Chocolate is the kryptonite for

my diet!

The Superman movies and comics. The speaker is suggesting that they
are normally strong-willed, but have a crippling weakness for chocolate.

Its raining pretty hard! Youd

better start building that ark.

The biblical story of Noahs Ark. They are (humorously) suggesting that
the rains and flooding will be so significant that everyone who hopes to
survive will need to be aboard a boat.

That guy is sort of a Big Bad

Wolf.

Those two are like Romeo and

Juliet.

He has Einsteins brains and

Brad Pitts looks. (Or was it the
other way around?)
Im surprised his nose doesnt
grow a little longer each day.

Shes a bit of a Scrooge.

When I realized how much

everyone actually cared about
me, I felt like my heart grew
three sizes that day.

7 Poems for 7th Grade

Type

Definition

Mr. Hartmans Example

ACROSTIC

The first letter of each line spells out a word For some reason, these poems are so much fun
vertically. The title of the poem is usually the Usually its a longer wordor even more than one!
word spelled out.
No need to rhyme, but do take your time!

CINQUAIN

A short poem, often unrhymed, following one

of a few different patterns. Heres one
pattern:
Line 1: Noun
Line 2: Two adjectives
Line 3: Three ing words
Line 4: A phrase
Line 5: Another word for the noun

Classroom
Busy, noisy
Working, learning, improving
Students amaze their teacher
Wonderful

A 7-line poem about two opposites, written in

the shape of a diamond:
Line 1: Subject/noun #1
Line 2: Two adjectives describing it
Line 3: Three ing words (Subject 1)
Line 4: 2 words (#1); 2 words (#2)
Line 5: Three ing words (Subject 2)
Line 6: Two adjectives (Subject 2)
Line 7: Subject/noun #2

Winter
Cold, dark
Shoveling, freezing, hibernating
Ice, snow, waterslides, beaches
Relaxing, playing, swimming
Warmth, happiness
Summer

DIAMANTE

FREE
VERSE

Irregular poetry that doesnt need to follow a

certain meter, and doesnt need to rhyme.
But it must be thoughtfully written and get
readers thinking! It can be positive, negative,
or just observational.

HAIKU

Unrhymed three-line Japanese verse,

following a 5-7-5 syllabic pattern. Usually
written in present tense, and often focused
on nature or seasons.

LIMERICK

A rhyming humorous/nonsense poem

following a strict 5-line pattern.
Rhyme Scheme: a-a-b-b-a
Syllable count: 9-9-6-6-9

NARRATIVE
POEM

A poem that tells a story, and is often written

in rhyming, metered verse (Often 10-syllable
lines)
Common rhyme schemes:
ABAB AABB AAAA ABCB
(And many others!)

The hazy glow of the television poisons the room

A faucet drips, lights are on, everywhere
The heat cranks out at full blast, but a window is
cracked
These people do not care about conserving energy
They dont care for the earth
They care only for themselves
Falling to the ground
Vibrant colors all around
Leaves are here; its fall
This poetry stuff is so easy
Just be sure you dont get too cheesy
I get sick from cheese
So dont make me sneeze
Im already feeling quite queasy!
A teacher at the Hampton Middle School
In class the first day gave his only rules:
Respect your peers and everyone you see,
Keep PARR in mind and happy you will be.
Youll find success in English class for sure
Or misbehave, and hell show you the door
(To be continued...)

Choose Your Own Assignment - Poetry Unit Final Activity

1.
2.
3.

Choose one option below

Write the required poem(s)
Edit. Revise as needed. (New draft or clean revisions)

4.

Submit high-quality work to your tutorial teacher, or complete it for

homework and submit in English when you return.
OPTION 1:
Three poems related to the same topic:
Haiku
Cinquain
Acrostic

OPTION 2:
Free-verse!
20+ lines of text
Use poetic devices
Doesnt need to rhyme
Any topic

OPTION 3:
Iambic Pentameter
Any topic
10 syllables per line
2-3 stanzas (4 lines each)
aaaa, abab, abba, or aabb rhyme scheme

OPTION 4:
Iambic Tetrameter
Any topic
8 syllables per line
Min. 3 stanzas (4 lines each)
aaaa, abab, abba, or aabb rhyme scheme

OPTION 5:
Three limericks
3 different topics or one topic

Look at the directions and examples on the back!

Write neatly and be sure to title your poems!