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Odes
How to create your own
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Definition
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A lyric poem in the form of an address to a particular subject,
often elevated in style or manner and written in varied or
irregular meter.
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Middle School Translation: A famous kind of poem where you
take something you really, really love(a pet, food, a place, a
sport, a hobby—anything)and pay tribute to it in an
exaggerated way by basically "bringing it to life" and
speaking to it. It doesn't have to rhyme or have rhythm.
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Sample Ode – “Ode to a Star”
O, star in heaven,
I decorated last Christmas,
to tally the arrival of you
do you relax during the day
the one the cat knocked off our tree?
and your sisters and brothers.
Are you shiny from being waxed
I gaze into the cobalt sky
O, star,
at the drive-thru car wash?
and wish this was the night
your mother's brother's daughter's aunt
Or were you once an albino fly
I might name one,
would be my favorite constellation
that climbed high, high until you hit
just one, constellation
if I were ever accepted
indigo flypaper, and now you're stuck,
(other than the Big Dipper,
into the astronomer's association.
squirming to be free?
of course).
Until then I will lie on the snow
Are you a diamond
But no.
sing your praises, and discover my own
that fell off my charm bracelet
Once again I fail
constellations.
and you're searching the midnight sky
as an astronomer.
for the lonely chain?
I know that I will never
Are you the ornament
join a star gazing club
with Zeus in his palace?
Bradford
--Nora
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Tips
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Choose a subject that you have strong feelings about.
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Describe all the “ins and outs” of your subject.
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Exaggerate all of its good qualities to make it sound even better!
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Tap into your five senses – if they fit (don’t force it).
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Make comparisons using metaphors and similes.
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Directly address you subject, if you want.
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Tell how you feel about the subject AND describe it fully.
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Choose strong words that precisely share your thoughts –
language that’s packed with meaning!
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How to Write an Ode
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List things you appreciate, enjoy, or adore (5-10 things).
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Star the ones you like the best (Top 3).
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Circle the one you can write the best poem about.
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Try to brainstorm a list of words related to that topic.
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What do you notice, feel, smell, taste, hear, think, and/or wonder
about your topic?
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What can you compare to this topic?
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Can you repeat something for effect?
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Will you write one stanza or multiple stanzas?
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Requirements
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Creatively and effectively uses the appropriate poetic form (an
ode).
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Student’s use of vocabulary is precise, vivid, and paints a strong
clear and complete picture in the reader’s mind.
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Effectively uses 3 poetic techniques to reinforce the theme.
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Has grade-level appropriate spelling, grammar, and
punctuation; contains few, if any, errors that do not interfere with
the reader’s understanding.
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Student’s work demonstrates a complete understanding of the
assignment and goes beyond the basic requirements.
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Effective and creative use of an illustration enhances the poem’s
meaning (add a drawing or a picture).
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Types of Figurative Language to
Consider
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Alliteration
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Assonance
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Allusion
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Consonance
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Rhyme
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Hyperbole
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Personification
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End
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Internal
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Onomatopoeia
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Rhythm
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Metaphor
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Repetition
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Simile
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Imagery