Name _____________________________________________
Date _________________
Hour ________
Mrs. Garrard
EN47
Free-verse Poem
Free-verse poems do not adhere to the rules of rhythm or meter or even syllable count that other
forms of poetry require. As these rules do not apply, line breaks function as an important way to
add structure and significance to your poem. Additionally, the freedom of form allows the
writer to play with poetic devices such as personification, onomatopoeia, alliteration,
assonance, imagery, simile, metaphor, repetition, and hyperbole.
The Assignment:
1.
After reading Denver Butson’s “Tuesday 9:00AM,” write a paragraph describing a situation in
which disaster strangely invades the ordinary.
a. This paragraph should include at least four of the nine devices listed above.
b. Each of your four devices should be labeled.
2. Next, shape your paragraph into a poem by adding line breaks. As you begin to determine where
these breaks should be consider the following questions:
a. What effect do you get if you break at the natural pauses?
b. What part of speech do you place at the end of the line?
c. Can you use the breaks to create surprise by exploiting the reader’s expectations?
d. Where would creating a pause have the most impact?
Requirements:
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Poem must be 20-25 lines.
Poem must include four labeled examples of these poetic devices: personification,
onomatopoeia, alliteration, assonance, imagery, simile, metaphor, repetition, and
hyperbole.
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Poem must have an ordinary situation or premise that is interrupted by a disaster (something
outrageously unexpected).
Poem must contain line breaks that reflect conscious intention for emphasis, pacing, or surprise.
Poem must be in MLA format
o Heading (left justified, Name, Teacher’s Name, Junior English, Date) – double spaced
o Title (left justified, no bold, no italics, no underline)
o Left justify poem
o Single space stanzas
o Double space between stanzas