What is poetry? Famous poets have defined poetry in
different ways. W.H. Auden called it “memorable speech.”
William Wordsworth believed that poetry is “the spontaneous
overflow of powerful feelings,” and poet Samuel Coleridge
defined it as “the best words in the best order.”
Poetry is different than prose. Prose is regular, ordinary,
everyday writing. Poetry takes more thought, planning, and
effort.
PROSE
POETRY
Sometimes when I look at clouds I
see shapes and images.
Blue sky up above
I see floating images
Cartoons in the clouds.
Other things you should know about poetry . . .
 Poets try to convey strong meaning
while using the fewest number of words.
Each word is carefully selected.
Sounds and visual images are important
as well.
Poetry is meant to be more intense and
meaningful than ordinary language.
STRATEGIES FOR READING POETRY
1. Read the poem several times.
2. Keep a dictionary handy. Look up words if necessary.
3. Read the poem aloud (sound is important).
4. Interpret the figurative language used.
5. Interpret the sound devices used.
6. Read lines according to punctuation.
7. Use your senses.
8. Keep reading until you can paraphrase each stanza.
9. Try to describe the author’s purpose in writing the poem.
To enhance meaning poets often use
sound devices and figurative language.
SOUND DEVICE
DEFINITION
EXAMPLE
Alliteration
the repetition of
beginning sounds
of words
Sarah Cynthia
Sylvia Stout
Onomatopoeia
use of words
whose sounds
suggests (mimics)
the meaning
Moo, bang, clatter,
click, jingle, swish,
plop, snap
Repetition
the repeating of
words, lines, or
stanzas
The Highwayman
came riding, riding,
riding up to the old
inn door.
FIGURATIVE
LANGUAGE
DEFINITION
EXAMPLE
Simile
a comparison using
“like” or “as”
Her skin was as
soft as silk.
Metaphor
a comparison that
does NOT use
“like” or “as”
The child was a
breath of fresh air.
Personification
a non human thing
is given human
characteristics
The low cloud
bumped into the
mountains.
Hyperbole
an exaggeration
Her smile went on
for an eternity.
Plan your words and sounds carefully
EXAMPLE:
O – Oval eyes staring down from a tree
W – Waiting to attack
L - Looking for food
O – Ominous nocturnal eyes staring from atop an old hemlock tree
W – Waiting for the opportune moment to strike
L - Lurching from above; the kill was quick
RHYME SCHEME -
a regular pattern
of rhyming words in a poem
The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
(a)
(b)
(a)
(b)
*You would say that this poem has an
“abab” rhyme scheme.
Hey
The
The
And
diddle diddle the cat and the fiddle
cow jumped over the moon
little dog laughed to see such sport
the dish ran away with the spoon
Rhyme Scheme: ???
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Label the rhyme scheme for SBWOASE. DUE
TOMORROW
2. Complete the graphic organizer on SBWOASE. Study the
poem thoroughly. Write a three paragraph summary of
the poem. (Write what you think it’s about.) DUE
THURSDAY.
3. Memorize SBWOASE by Friday, May 8th. Practice saying
it aloud. Prepare to recite it in class.
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
by Robert Frost
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sounds the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark, and deep.
But I have promises to keep.
And miles to go before I sleep.
And miles to go before I sleep.
HAIKU – a form of Japanese poetry
often about nature
A good haiku expresses a moment of
beauty which keeps you thinking and
feeling.
HAIKU PATTERN:
Line #1: 5 syllables
Line #2: 7 syllables
Line #3: 5 syllables
EXAMPLE:
On my backyard fence
a cat sings his lonely song
each hot summer night
(where it happens)
(what is happening)
(when it occurs)
MORE EXAMPLES:
Tiny hummingbirds
dart from flower to flower
Rainbows in motion
(5 syllables)
(7 syllables)
(5 syllables)
One sparkling spring day
I saw a tiny spider
spin a web of silk
(5 syllables)
(7 syllables)
(5 syllables)
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
by Robert Frost
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow
A
A
B
A
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
B
B
C
B
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sounds the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
C
C
D
C
The woods are lovely, dark, and deep.
But I have promises to keep.
And miles to go before I sleep.
And miles to go before I sleep.
D
D
D
D