Introduction to Poetry
Question:
What do you think of when I say
the word “poetry”? “Poet”?
What is Poetry?
 There are as many definitions of poetry as there are poets.
 Wordsworth defined poetry as "the spontaneous overflow of
powerful feelings;"
 Emily Dickinson said, "If I read a book and it makes my body
so cold no fire ever can warm me, I know that is poetry;" an
 Dylan Thomas defined poetry this way: "Poetry is what
makes me laugh or cry or yawn, what makes my toenails
twinkle, what makes me want to do this or that or nothing."
Poets?
Can I be a “poet” too?
 YES!
 By the end of this unit you will have put together
an anthology of original poems created by you!
 In each class, we will practice a of couple
different types of poetry. The work you do in class
will then be typed-up, polished, and assembled
together to form an anthology.
But, I can’t understand poems!
 Don’t worry.
 We will practice reading poems / song lyrics and
determining their meaning on a regular basis.
 This practice will allow you to become a master at reading
and understanding poetry!
Figurative Language
 Rhyme
 Alliteration
 Simile
 Metaphor
 Personification
 Onomatopoeia
 Hyperbole
Alliteration
 Involves the repetition of the same first sounds in a group of
words:
 “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers…”
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP_LGCAK4ts&featur
e=related
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzasWsBpI7Y&feature
=related
Alliteration
 “I am the Walrus” – The Beatles
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG73Pk1yUj8
 “Viva La Vida’ - Coldplay
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5I3RPbS8aI
Learning Poetry Through Music
 Here is a list of some of the artists’ work we will be looking
at over the next couple of weeks;
 Coldplay
 U2
 The Beatles
And even...............
 Weird al!!
Let’s Get Crackin’
 “Guided Response” poems
 For these poems, you will be responding to a poem that has
already been created, meaning the work is already ½ done!!
 For an example, we will look at a “guided response” poem
that has been created in response to Don McLean’s song
“Vincent”
Step 1
 Copy out the original poem (in this case, song lyrics), leaving a space
underneath each line
Starry, starry night, paint your palette blue and grey
Look out on a summer’s day, with eyes that know the darkness in my soul
Shadows on the hills, sketch the trees and the daffodils
Catch the breeze and the winter chills
In colours on the snowy, linen land
Step 2
 Respond to each line in the poem / song, one by one, by
writing down your initial thoughts, feelings, emotions. In other
words, describe what each line makes you feel, sense, etc.
Starry, starry night, paint your palette blue and grey
On a cold, dark night, a harsh breeze reaches into my soul
Look out on a summer’s day, with eyes that know the darkness in my soul
This day had brought me joy, but, alas, my pain is exposed
Shadows on the hills, sketch the trees and the daffodils
Darkness overtakes all that is good and pure
Catch the breeze and the winter chills
I try to stop this pain that haunts me, numbs me, makes me cold
In colours on the snowy, linen land
For perhaps there is joy and beauty that can still be found in this bleakness
Step 3
 Remove the lines from the original poem / song. Now you
are left with an original poem of your creation!! Give your
poem a title.
On a cold, dark night, a harsh breeze reaches into my soul
This day had brought me joy, but, alas, my pain is exposed
Darkness overtakes all that is good and pure
I try to stop this pain that haunts me, numbs me, makes me cold
For perhaps there is joy and beauty that can still be found in this bleakness
Now it’s your turn!
 To begin with, choose one of the poem/song options on your
handout and create a “guided response” poem.