English Language Arts 9
Mr. Truman
Free-Verse Poetry Assignment
Part 1: Free-Verse Poem
For this part of the assignment, you will write a free-verse poem. You can choose to brainstorm
a list of ideas and turn that into a poem, or you can simply write. Your poem must include:
●
●
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at least 5 stanzas
at least 20 lines
at least 5 poetic devices (for example: simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole,
onomatopoeia, alliteration, etc.) Make sure to highlight the poetic devices you used
in your poem as well.
Remember: A free verse poem is one that doesn’t require a particular rhyme pattern but that
follows some theme or idea.
Tips for Writing a Free-Verse Poem
1. First, settle on a theme or event you’d like to write about. Try to set the scene in your
head and go from there.
2. Then, write down some keywords that relate to your story. Since you don’t need to worry
about matching up words and rhyming them, you should be able to incorporate most of
these words in your poem. Work backwards and create the lines of your poems around
those keywords to flesh out the poem.
3. Five senses: To bring life to your poem, focus on incorporating the five senses into your
poem; devote one line to each sense, or sprinkle them throughout. This will help make
the reader understand exactly what image or scene your poem illustrates.
Part 2: Poem Reflection
At the end of your free-verse poem, you must also include a paragraph reflection that explains:
1. Why you chose to write what you did.
2. One line or word choice you thought was particularly powerful. Justify your choice.
English Language Arts 9
Mr. Truman
Poetry Assignment Rubric
Category
Emerging
(1)
Developing
(2)
Proficient
(3)
Extending
(4)
Poem
Little effort is shown;
Poem uses vocabulary
that is not at grade level;
Includes/explains only
1-2 literary devices.
Ideas are lacking; Poem
uses limited vocabulary;
Includes/explains only 3
literary devices.
Some originality; Poem
uses some descriptive
words; Includes/explains
only 4 literary devices.
Ideas are fresh and new;
Poem uses a variety of
descriptive words;
Includes/explains 5 or
more literary devices.
Writer makes 5+
mistakes in spelling or
grammar.
Writer makes 3-4
mistakes in spelling or
grammar.
Writer makes 1-2
mistakes in spelling and
grammar.
No mistakes in spelling
or grammar.
Poem
Reflection
Demonstrates a limited
understanding of the
writing prompt and does
not address both parts.
Demonstrates a basic
understanding of the
writing prompt and
attempts to address both
parts.
Demonstrates a
thoughtful understanding
of the writing prompt and
addresses both parts.
Demonstrates a
thorough understanding
of the writing prompt and
thoroughly addresses
both parts.
Expression
Colloquial or unsuitable
language usage; Many
errors that make
comprehension almost
impossible.
Vague or imprecise
language usage; A few
errors make
comprehension difficult.
Basic but appropriate
language usage; Some
errors are evident, but do
not limit comprehension.
Original and accurate
language usage; Clear
and varied sentences.
Poem
Conventions