Introduction to PoetryIntroduction to Poetry

99thth Pre-AP English Pre-AP English

Poetry: A DefinitionPoetry: A Definition LengthLength Visual impressionsVisual impressions Concentrated, intense language that makes Concentrated, intense language that makes

deliberate sound effects which can involve deliberate sound effects which can involve rhythm, rhyme, or other soundsrhythm, rhyme, or other sounds

Written in lines and stanzas rather than Written in lines and stanzas rather than sentences or paragraphssentences or paragraphs

Meaning is gleaned from understanding the Meaning is gleaned from understanding the use of metaphor, symbol, imagery, etc.use of metaphor, symbol, imagery, etc.

Poetry: A DefinitionPoetry: A Definition Subject matter can cover the intellectually safe Subject matter can cover the intellectually safe

or the profane; the marginal or societyor the profane; the marginal or society Fixed or free formFixed or free form

Fixed formFixed form is a poem that may be categorized by is a poem that may be categorized by the pattern of its lines, meter, rhythm, or stanzas; a the pattern of its lines, meter, rhythm, or stanzas; a style of poetry that has set rules. Ex: sonnet, style of poetry that has set rules. Ex: sonnet, villanelle, limerick villanelle, limerick

Free FormFree Form is a poem that has neither is a poem that has neither regularregular rhyme nor rhyme nor regularregular meter. Free verse often uses meter. Free verse often uses cadences rather than uniform metrical feet.cadences rather than uniform metrical feet.

Subject MatterSubject Matter of Poems of Poems Love Poem, Political Poem, Metaphysical Poem, Love Poem, Political Poem, Metaphysical Poem,

Confessional PoemConfessional Poem Elegy (poem that reflects on death or solemn themes)Elegy (poem that reflects on death or solemn themes) Epithalamion (poem that praises a wedding)Epithalamion (poem that praises a wedding) Proverb (a poem that imparts wisdom, learning, and aid Proverb (a poem that imparts wisdom, learning, and aid

memory)memory) Found poem (poems that are discovered in everyday life)Found poem (poems that are discovered in everyday life) Pun (word play, humor, or cleverness--“Pun (word play, humor, or cleverness--“Pasteurize: Pasteurize:

Too far to see.”Too far to see.”)) Epigram (short, witty, concise saying—can be sarcastic Epigram (short, witty, concise saying—can be sarcastic

or parodic, about a person or an idea— “Swans sing or parodic, about a person or an idea— “Swans sing before they die--'twere no bad thing / should certain before they die--'twere no bad thing / should certain people die before they sing!”)people die before they sing!”)

How do you read a poem?How do you read a poem?from pg. 489 in your textfrom pg. 489 in your text

Look for punctuation in the Look for punctuation in the poem telling you where poem telling you where sentences being and end.sentences being and end.

Do not make a full stop at Do not make a full stop at the end of a line if there is the end of a line if there is no period, comma, colon, no period, comma, colon, semicolon, or dash there.semicolon, or dash there.

If a passage of a poem is If a passage of a poem is difficult to understand, look difficult to understand, look for the subject, verb, and for the subject, verb, and complement of each complement of each sentence.sentence.

Be alert for comparisons—Be alert for comparisons—for figures of speech.for figures of speech.

Read the poem slowly and Read the poem slowly and out loud to help hear the out loud to help hear the “musicality” of the poem.“musicality” of the poem.

Be patient, for poems can be Be patient, for poems can be ambiguous or confusing. ambiguous or confusing. Talk about it with others Talk about it with others who have read it, when who have read it, when possible.possible.

Read the poem several Read the poem several times.times.

Looking at a PoemLooking at a Poem

Hearing the WordsHearing the Words Rhyme (end, internal, approximate)Rhyme (end, internal, approximate) Rhyme scheme (Roses are red. . .abcb)Rhyme scheme (Roses are red. . .abcb) Neologism (a new word or expression) Neologism (a new word or expression)

http://www.wordspy.com/diversions/neologisms.asp

OxymoronOxymoron Microsoft Works , Bitter Sweet, Anarchy Rules!Microsoft Works , Bitter Sweet, Anarchy Rules!

http://www.oxymoronlist.com/http://www.oxymoronlist.com/

Looking at a PoemLooking at a Poem

Hearing the Words, con’tHearing the Words, con’t Inversion - Beautiful is she. Inversion - Beautiful is she. Assonance - hAssonance - hoow nw noow brw broown cwn cooww Consonance - WhoConsonance - Whosse woode woodss the thesse are I think I e are I think I

know.know. Alliteration - Alliteration - SShe he ssells ells sseashells by the eashells by the sseashoreeashore Onomatopoeia - snap, crackle, popOnomatopoeia - snap, crackle, pop

A few words on diction. . .A few words on diction. . .

Connotation DenotationConnotation Denotation

SnakeSnakeevil or danger

any of numerous any of numerous scaly, legless, scaly, legless, sometimes sometimes venomous reptiles; venomous reptiles; having a long, having a long, tapering, tapering, cylindrical body cylindrical body and found in most and found in most tropical and tropical and temperate regionstemperate regions

Looking at a PoemLooking at a Poem LinesLines

End-stopped End-stopped My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun. My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun.

Coral is far more red than her lips red. –ShakespeareCoral is far more red than her lips red. –Shakespeare EnjambmentEnjambment

Let me not to the marriage of true minds Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments. Love is not love Admit impediments. Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds Which alters when it alteration finds

Or bends with the remover to remove. —ShakespeareOr bends with the remover to remove. —Shakespeare Flow of language and the Sound of the PoemFlow of language and the Sound of the Poem

cadence -- the drum beat of wordscadence -- the drum beat of words caesura-- E.B. Browning: “How do I love thee?//Let me count the ways.” caesura-- E.B. Browning: “How do I love thee?//Let me count the ways.” dissonance - Are you lamenting because your enjambment is not working dissonance - Are you lamenting because your enjambment is not working

in your couplet? in your couplet? MeterMeter

Fixed formFixed form Iambic pentameter (blank verse with 5 feet of iambs—daDUM daDUM Iambic pentameter (blank verse with 5 feet of iambs—daDUM daDUM

daDUM daDUM daDUM—But soft, what light through yonder window daDUM daDUM daDUM—But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?)breaks?)

Free verse (aka Free form)Free verse (aka Free form) NOTE: see page 740 – 741 in your bookNOTE: see page 740 – 741 in your book

Looking at a PoemLooking at a Poem RefrainRefrain

Quoth the raven, "Nevermore.“Quoth the raven, "Nevermore.“

Synaesthesia / SynesthesiaSynaesthesia / Synesthesia

‘‘a deafening yellow’; ‘sunburnt mirth”a deafening yellow’; ‘sunburnt mirth”

EpithetEpithet

swift-footed Achilles; rosy-fingered dawn; Ivan the swift-footed Achilles; rosy-fingered dawn; Ivan the TerribleTerrible

Looking at a PoemLooking at a Poem Lines - a single line of poetry. Lines - a single line of poetry. Stanzas - a group of lines set off from the other Stanzas - a group of lines set off from the other

lines in a poem; the poetic equivalent of a lines in a poem; the poetic equivalent of a paragraph in prose. In traditional poems, the stanza paragraph in prose. In traditional poems, the stanza usually contains a unit of thought, much like a usually contains a unit of thought, much like a paragraph. paragraph.

TercetTercet The winged seeds, where they lie cold and low,The winged seeds, where they lie cold and low,

Each like a corpse within its grave, untilEach like a corpse within its grave, untilThine azure sister of the Spring shall blowThine azure sister of the Spring shall blow

Punctuation – used for emphasisPunctuation – used for emphasis Structure of images / symbols within the poemStructure of images / symbols within the poem

Watch for colors, patterns, figurative languageWatch for colors, patterns, figurative language

Types of PoemsTypes of Poems

FIXED FORM POEMSFIXED FORM POEMS SonnetSonnet

14-line poem with specific rhyme scheme14-line poem with specific rhyme scheme English (a.k.a. Shakespearean)English (a.k.a. Shakespearean)

ababcdcdefefgg (three quartrains and a couplet)ababcdcdefefgg (three quartrains and a couplet) Italian (a.k.a. Petrarchan)Italian (a.k.a. Petrarchan)

abbaabbacdecde (octet, sestet, volta is between abbaabbacdecde (octet, sestet, volta is between lines 8 and 9)lines 8 and 9)

Example of SonnetExample of Sonnet

Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116 Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116

Let me not to the marriage of true mindsLet me not to the marriage of true mindsAdmit impediments. Love is not loveAdmit impediments. Love is not loveWhich alters when it alteration finds,Which alters when it alteration finds,Or bends with the remover to remove:Or bends with the remover to remove:O no! it is an ever-fixed markO no! it is an ever-fixed markThat looks on tempests and is never shaken;That looks on tempests and is never shaken;It is the star to every wandering bark,It is the star to every wandering bark,Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeksLove's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeksWithin his bending sickle's compass come:Within his bending sickle's compass come:Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,But bears it out even to the edge of doom.But bears it out even to the edge of doom.If this be error and upon me proved,If this be error and upon me proved,I never writ, nor no man ever loved.I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

Types of PoemsTypes of Poems

FIXED FORM POEMSFIXED FORM POEMS Haiku – Japanese poem with 17 syllables -- Haiku – Japanese poem with 17 syllables --

first line has 5, second has 7, last line has 5.first line has 5, second has 7, last line has 5. It combines It combines formform, , contentcontent, and , and languagelanguage in a in a

meaningful, yet compact formmeaningful, yet compact form Haiku doesn't rhyme. A Haiku must "paint" a Haiku doesn't rhyme. A Haiku must "paint" a

mental image in the reader's mind. mental image in the reader's mind. A Rainbow by Donna Brock

Curving up, then down.Meeting blue sky and green earthMelding sun and rain.

Types of PoemsTypes of Poems

FIXED FORM POEMSFIXED FORM POEMS Cinquain:Cinquain: a poem with five lines a poem with five lines

Line 1 is one word (the title)Line 1 is one word (the title)Line 2 is two words that describe the title.Line 2 is two words that describe the title.Line 3 is three words that tell the actionLine 3 is three words that tell the actionLine 4 is four words that express the feelingLine 4 is four words that express the feelingLine 5 is one word that recalls the titleLine 5 is one word that recalls the title

TreeStrong, Tall

Swaying, swinging, sighingMemories of summer

Oak

Types of PoemsTypes of Poems

FIXED FORM POEMSFIXED FORM POEMS Villanelle Villanelle - 19 lines long, but only uses two rhymes, while also - 19 lines long, but only uses two rhymes, while also

repeatingrepeating two lines throughout the poem. The first five stanzas two lines throughout the poem. The first five stanzas are triplets, and the last stanza is a quatrain such that the rhyme are triplets, and the last stanza is a quatrain such that the rhyme scheme is as follows: "aba aba aba aba aba abaa." The tricky scheme is as follows: "aba aba aba aba aba abaa." The tricky part is that the 1st and 3rd lines from the first stanza are part is that the 1st and 3rd lines from the first stanza are alternately repeated such that the 1st line becomes the last line alternately repeated such that the 1st line becomes the last line in the second stanza, and the 3rd line becomes the last line in the in the second stanza, and the 3rd line becomes the last line in the third stanza. The last two lines of the poem are lines 1 and 3 third stanza. The last two lines of the poem are lines 1 and 3 respectively, making a rhymed couplet. Confused? A villanelle respectively, making a rhymed couplet. Confused? A villanelle needs no particular meter or line length. It is terribly obsessive needs no particular meter or line length. It is terribly obsessive and can bring out the emotions of any neurotic writer. and can bring out the emotions of any neurotic writer.

Example of a VillanelleExample of a VillanelleDo not go gentle into that good night,Do not go gentle into that good night,Old age should burn and rave at close of day;Old age should burn and rave at close of day;Rage, rage against the dying of the light.Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,Though wise men at their end know dark is right,Because their words had forked no lightning theyBecause their words had forked no lightning theyDo not go gentle into that good night,Do not go gentle into that good night,

Good men, the last wave by, crying how brightGood men, the last wave by, crying how brightTheir frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,Rage, rage against the dying of the light.Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, Do not go gentle into that good night,Do not go gentle into that good night,

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sightGrave men, near death, who see with blinding sightBlind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light.Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,And you, my father, there on the sad height,Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.Do not go gentle into that good night,Do not go gentle into that good night,Rage, rage against the dying of the light.Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

“Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night”

By Dylan Thomas

Types of PoemsTypes of Poems

Dramatic Monologue:Dramatic Monologue: a poem in which a a poem in which a single speaker who is not the poet utters the single speaker who is not the poet utters the entire poem at a critical moment. The speaker entire poem at a critical moment. The speaker has a listener within the poem, but we too are has a listener within the poem, but we too are his/her listener, and we learn about the his/her listener, and we learn about the speaker's character from what the speaker says. speaker's character from what the speaker says. In fact, the speaker may reveal unintentionally In fact, the speaker may reveal unintentionally certain aspects of his/her character. Robert certain aspects of his/her character. Robert Browning perfected this form.Browning perfected this form.

Example of Dramatic MonologueExample of Dramatic Monologue

““My Last Duchess” by Robert Browning

““Ain’t I a Woman?” by Sojourner Truth Ain’t I a Woman?” by Sojourner Truth See page 611 in your textbookSee page 611 in your textbook

““Lucinda Matlock” by Edgar Lee Masters Lucinda Matlock” by Edgar Lee Masters See page 607 in your textbookSee page 607 in your textbook

Types of PoemsTypes of Poems

Ode:Ode: usually a lyric poem of moderate length, usually a lyric poem of moderate length, with a serious subject, an elevated style, and with a serious subject, an elevated style, and an elaborate stanza pattern. There are various an elaborate stanza pattern. There are various kinds of odes. The ode often praises people, kinds of odes. The ode often praises people, the arts of music and poetry, natural scenes, or the arts of music and poetry, natural scenes, or abstract concepts. abstract concepts.

Types of PoemsTypes of Poems

Elegy:Elegy: a sad and thoughtful poem lamenting a sad and thoughtful poem lamenting the death of a person. the death of a person.

Limerick:Limerick: short sometimes bawdy, short sometimes bawdy, humorous poems consisting of five humorous poems consisting of five anapestic lines. Lines 1, 2, and 5 of a anapestic lines. Lines 1, 2, and 5 of a limerick have seven to ten syllables and limerick have seven to ten syllables and rhyme with one another. Lines 3 and 4 have rhyme with one another. Lines 3 and 4 have five to seven syllables and also rhyme with five to seven syllables and also rhyme with each other.each other.

Example of LimerickExample of Limerick

There was an Old Person whose habits,There was an Old Person whose habits,Induced him to feed upon rabbits;Induced him to feed upon rabbits;When he'd eaten eighteen,When he'd eaten eighteen,He turned perfectly green,He turned perfectly green,Upon which he relinquished those habits. Upon which he relinquished those habits.

http://www.types-of-poetry.org.uk/examples-of-limericks.htm

Types of PoemsTypes of Poems

Ballad (folk and literary) Randall’s “The Ballad (folk and literary) Randall’s “The Ballad of Birmingham”Ballad of Birmingham”

Epic – Homer’s Epic – Homer’s IlliadIlliad and and OdysseyOdyssey

DiamanteDiamante

Concrete PoemConcrete Poem

Example of Concrete PoemExample of Concrete Poem Bird #3Bird #3

   by Don J. Carlson   by Don J. Carlson                                         Poe'sPoe's

                  raven told                  raven told            him nothing nevermore            him nothing nevermore                  and Vincent's circling                  and Vincent's circling                    crows were a threat to destroy                    crows were a threat to destroy                      sunlight. Now I saw a bird, black with a yellow                      sunlight. Now I saw a bird, black with a yellow                        beak, orange rubber legs                        beak, orange rubber legs                           pecking to kill the                           pecking to kill the                             lawn, storm bird                             lawn, storm bird                              hates with claw,                              hates with claw,                                  evil beak,                                  evil beak,                                        s                                        s                                        u                                        u                                        n                                        n                                    and eye                                    and eye

Figures of SpeechFigures of Speech

Simile – She’s as big as a house.Simile – She’s as big as a house. Metaphor – Metaphor –

Direct: She’s a brick house.Direct: She’s a brick house. Implied: The man brayed his refusal to leave. (because the Implied: The man brayed his refusal to leave. (because the

subject--the man--is never overtly identified as a mule) subject--the man--is never overtly identified as a mule) Extended: See the next slide “Catch”Extended: See the next slide “Catch” Dead: Dead: tying up loose ends, a tying up loose ends, a submarinesubmarine sandwich, a sandwich, a branchbranch

of governmentof government, and most clichés, and most clichés Mixed:Mixed:The movie struck a The movie struck a sparkspark that that massagedmassaged the the

audience's conscience.audience's conscience. Personification – The house creaked with old age.Personification – The house creaked with old age.

Example of an extended metaphorExample of an extended metaphor

““Catch” by Robert FrancisCatch” by Robert FrancisTwo boys uncoached are tossing a poem together,Two boys uncoached are tossing a poem together,Overhand, underhand, backhand, sleight of hand, everyhand,Overhand, underhand, backhand, sleight of hand, everyhand,Teasing with attitudes, latitudes, interludes, altitudes,Teasing with attitudes, latitudes, interludes, altitudes,High, make him fly off the ground for it, low, make him stoop,High, make him fly off the ground for it, low, make him stoop,Make him scoop it up, make him as-almost-as possible miss it,Make him scoop it up, make him as-almost-as possible miss it,Fast, let him sting from it, now, now fool him slowly,Fast, let him sting from it, now, now fool him slowly,Anything, everything tricky, risky, nonchalant,Anything, everything tricky, risky, nonchalant,Anything under the sun to outwit the prosy,Anything under the sun to outwit the prosy,Over the tree and the long sweet cadence down,Over the tree and the long sweet cadence down,Over his head, make him scramble to pick up the meaning,Over his head, make him scramble to pick up the meaning,And now, like a posy, a pretty one plump in his hands.And now, like a posy, a pretty one plump in his hands.

Robert Francis' poem "Catch" relies on an extended metaphor that Robert Francis' poem "Catch" relies on an extended metaphor that compares poetry to playing catch. A controlling metaphor runs through an compares poetry to playing catch. A controlling metaphor runs through an entire work and determines the form or nature of that work.' entire work and determines the form or nature of that work.'

Examples of LanguageExamples of Language

Metonymy (one term for another with which it is Metonymy (one term for another with which it is commonly associated or closely related.) commonly associated or closely related.) the the penpen is mightier than the is mightier than the swordsword the crown (referring to a Queen or King)the crown (referring to a Queen or King) all hands on deckall hands on deck

Synecdoche (part for the whole) Synecdoche (part for the whole) give us this day our daily give us this day our daily breadbread The U.S. won three gold medals. (Instead of “The members The U.S. won three gold medals. (Instead of “The members

of the U.S. boxing team won three gold medals.”)of the U.S. boxing team won three gold medals.”)

Irony, doncha think?Irony, doncha think?Irony involves a contradiction.  "In general, irony is the perception of Irony involves a contradiction.  "In general, irony is the perception of a clash a clash

between appearance and reality, between between appearance and reality, between seemsseems and and is,is, or between or between ought ought andand is is.”.”

     Verbal ironyVerbal irony--Saying something contrary to what it means. In daily --Saying something contrary to what it means. In daily language, being ironic means that you say something but mean the language, being ironic means that you say something but mean the opposite to what you say.  "Oh, how lucky we are to have SO MANY AP opposite to what you say.  "Oh, how lucky we are to have SO MANY AP classes to choose from!" Depending on how you say it, there is a classes to choose from!" Depending on how you say it, there is a contradiction between your contradiction between your literalliteral meaning and your meaning and your actualactual meaning--and meaning--and this is what we call this is what we call verbal (rhetoric) ironyverbal (rhetoric) irony. . 

Dramatic ironyDramatic irony -- Saying or doing something while unaware of its ironic -- Saying or doing something while unaware of its ironic contrast with the whole truth; verbal irony with the speaker's awareness contrast with the whole truth; verbal irony with the speaker's awareness erased" -- so that the irony is on the speaker him/herself, but not what s/he erased" -- so that the irony is on the speaker him/herself, but not what s/he talks about. talks about.

      Situational ironySituational irony-- Events turning to the opposite of what is expected or -- Events turning to the opposite of what is expected or what should be.   The ironic situation --the "what should be.   The ironic situation --the "oughtought" upended by the " upended by the isis -- is -- is integral to dramatic irony.  In Alanis Morissete's “Ironic" we can see a lot integral to dramatic irony.  In Alanis Morissete's “Ironic" we can see a lot of situational ironies -- or ironies of fate.of situational ironies -- or ironies of fate.

Cool article explaining the song "Ironic"

Watch Your Tone!Watch Your Tone! "The word "The word tone tone in literary discussion is in literary discussion is

borrowed from the expression borrowed from the expression tone of voice.tone of voice. Tone Tone is the manner in which a poet makes his is the manner in which a poet makes his statement; it reflects his attitude toward his statement; it reflects his attitude toward his subject. Since printed poems lack the subject. Since printed poems lack the intonations of spoken words, the reader must intonations of spoken words, the reader must learn to "hear" their tones with his mind's ear. learn to "hear" their tones with his mind's ear. Tone cannot be heard in one particular place Tone cannot be heard in one particular place since it reflects a general attitude, it pervades since it reflects a general attitude, it pervades the whole poem." the whole poem." ((Poems: Wadsworth Handbook and AnthologyPoems: Wadsworth Handbook and Anthology by by

C. F. Main & Peter J. Seng) C. F. Main & Peter J. Seng)

Hey, DIDLS diddle. . .Hey, DIDLS diddle. . . Use DIDLS to consider the tone of a poem. Use DIDLS to consider the tone of a poem. DDiction—the connotation of the word choiceiction—the connotation of the word choice Consider the following when discussing diction Consider the following when discussing diction

·         ·         monosyllabic/polysyllabic monosyllabic/polysyllabic ·         ·         colloquial/informal/formal colloquial/informal/formal ·         ·         denotative/connotative denotative/connotative ·         ·         euphonious/cacophonouseuphonious/cacophonous

IImages—vivid appeals to understanding through the mages—vivid appeals to understanding through the sensessenses

DDetails—Facts that are included etails—Facts that are included or omitted or omitted LLanguage—The overall use of language, formal, anguage—The overall use of language, formal,

colloquial, clinical, jargon, etc...colloquial, clinical, jargon, etc... SSentence Structure—How structure affects the entence Structure—How structure affects the

reader’s attitudereader’s attitude

TPCASTTTPCASTT

We’ll save this for another powerpoint ;)We’ll save this for another powerpoint ;)

One last note. . .One last note. . . SPEAKERSPEAKERThe speaker of the poem IS NOT necessarily the poet. It The speaker of the poem IS NOT necessarily the poet. It

is a persona (a character) used to “voice” the poem. is a persona (a character) used to “voice” the poem. The speaker addresses an audience or another The speaker addresses an audience or another character. Identify and describe the speaking voice or character. Identify and describe the speaking voice or voices, the conflicts or ideas, and the language used voices, the conflicts or ideas, and the language used in the poem. in the poem.