8th Grade Poetry

Mrs. Tweedy

Essential Questions
What is poetry?
Why can one poem mean different things to different people? What is more important, the message, or the type of poetry used to convey it?

Lines
A line in poetry is similar to the idea of a sentence in writing. Lines may be as short as one word or very long, depending on the poem punctuation/grammar rules can be bent in poetry. When you have two lines together in a poem (and they often rhyme), it is called a COUPLET.

Stanza
A stanza is a group of lines in a poem it can be anywhere from three lines to the entire poem. It is similar to a paragraph in writing.
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.
Robert Frost

Rhyming Scheme
A pattern of rhyme between the lines of a poem. Rhyming scheme is shown using letters of the alphabet.
I shall be telling this with a sigh (A) Somewhere ages and ages hence: (B) Two roads diverged in a wood, and I (A) I took the one less traveled by, (A) And that has made all the difference. (B)
Robert Frost

Bio Poem
Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line 1: Your first name 2: Who is (three adjectives that describe you) 3: Who is brother or sister of... 4: Who loves(three ideas or people) 5: Who feels (three emotions) 6: Who needs (three ideas) 7: Who gives (three ideas) 8: Who fears (three ideas) 9: Who would like to see 10: Who is a resident of 11: Your last name

Figurative Language
Simile

Comparing two things AND using like or as in the comparison

His face was as hot as the sun.

Metaphor

Saying that one is like another Does not use like or as

Personification

The horses hooves were thunder in my ears.

Giving human characteristics to non-human things.

Hyperbole

The trees reached out and grabbed me as I walked along the path.

An extreme exaggeration

There were a million firefighters at the scene.

Quatrain
A quatrain is a four line stanza or poem. The rhyming scheme is often ABAB or AABB.

Example:
The sense of danger must not disappear: The way is certainly both short and steep, However gradual it looks from here; Look if you like, you will have to leap.

-W.H. Auden

Poetic Devices
Repetition

Alliteration Assonance

The repeated use of a sound, word, or phrase

The repetition of consonant sounds

Sally sells sea shells by the sea shore

Word that have the same vowel sound

Consonance

The cat in the hat swung a bat at the rat

Repetition of consonant sounds at the middle or end of words

He did a flip that made him trip and rip his jeans.

Onomatopoeia

Words that imitate a sound

Rhythm

Zoom, boom, meow, bang

Repeated patter of beats or stresses

Cinquain
A cinquain is a five line poem. Line Line Line Line Line 1: 2: 3: 4: 5: Title/Subject Pair of adjectives (describe subject) Three word phrase that describes the subject Four words describing feelings toward the subject. Synonym for line one

Poets Toolbox
Theme
This is the message that the poet wants to give the reader. This is not something that is stated outright, you have to infer it!

White Space
Blank space on the page, either between words, lines, or stanzas. White space can be just as powerful as the words in the poem.

Poets Toolbox
Form
This is how a poem looks on a page is it all centered? Does it cascade across the page? Are the lines short or very long? This is used to represent an idea, person, image, concept, etc. Example: The lion paced the halls of the school, waiting for a student to pounce on. He retreated to his den to await his prey, Of delinquent students, he is most fond.

Symbolism

Poetry
Lyric Poetry
This is a song-like (has a rhyming scheme) poem that tells a story.

Narrative Poetry
This is poetry that tells a story but often does not rhyme (usually done in free verse)

Ballad
A ballad is a poem that is meant to express the poets thoughts or feelings (think of LOVE poems!!)

Haiku
A form of Japanese poetry Always consists of 17 syllables Syllable pattern is:
5 syllables 7 syllables 5 syllables

Most often are written about things in nature but can be about anything

Limerick
Limericks are five line poems that have a specific rhyming scheme and syllable patterns. They are meant to be jokes or funny and use figurative language. The last line of the poem should be the punch line or heart of the joke.

Limerick
Lines 1, 2, and 5 must have seven to ten syllables and rhyme with each other. Lines 3 and 4 have five to seven syllables and must rhyme with each other. Rhyme scheme is:
(A) (A) (B) (B) (A)

Acrostic Poetry
Acrostic poetry can be about any single subject. Write the topic down the side of our paper, then write words or phrases to describe your topic.

Concrete Poetry
Concrete poetry is also called shape poetry. The words are used to create a picture.

Free Verse
Free verse is a form of poetry that does not use traditional poetic devices such as:
Rhyme Pattern Or any other musical elements

The point of free verse is that YOU make up the rules for each poem.
Line breaks Stanzas Rhyming Scheme

Extended Metaphor Poem

An extended metaphor poem is a metaphor that leads into other lines of poetry. The metaphor continues throughout the poem. Remember a metaphor is saying that one thing is another, not using like or as
Example: The book was a gateway to another world.

Examples of Extended Metaphor Poems

The Shadow Cat
by Alyssa Leystra

Life

by Jeremiah Gerdin and Denan Marquardt

The cat is the shadow dancing on the wall. Deep and dark and silent slinking down the hall. Reveal him to the night and he disappears; Lead him to the morning, There's nothing left to fear. The cat is the shadow dancing on the wall, but let him find the darkness and he is hidden from us all.

Life is a sinkhole. it once was level and fine. But over years it began to sink, just as my outlook towards life. And just when I thought the hole could not get any deeper, it did. Along with it went away my spirit to live lively. Now I am in too deep. The walls are too slippery. I can't get out. I stop to try, It's hopeless. My spirit and I die.