Poetry and Figurative Language

MondayStanza, Repetition, & Rhyme Scheme

Stanza• A stanza is a group of lines which form a

division of a poem• Stanzas are usually set off from one another by

a space• Stanzas are two or more lines of poetry that

together form one of the divisions of a poem• The stanzas of a poem are usually the same

length and follow the same pattern of meter and rhyme

The Dragon of Grindly GrunI’m the dragon of Grindly Grun,I breathe fire as hot as the sun.When a knight comes to fight

I just toast him on sight,Like a hot crispy cinnamon bun.

When I see a fair damsel go by,I just sigh a fiery sigh,

And she’s baked like a ‘tater—I think of her later

With a romantic tear in my eye.

I’m the Dragon of Grindly Grun,But my lunches aren’t much fun,

For I like my damsels medium rare,And they always come our well done.

Repetition

• Repetition occurs when sounds, words, phrases, sentences, etc. are used more than once in a piece of writing like poetry

• When a writer wants to be sure the reader understands what he or she intended to say, repetition is often used

• …Let’s look at an example:

Rock ‘N’Roll BandIf we were a rock ‘n’ roll band,We’d travel all over the land.

We’d play and we’d sing and wear spangly things,If we were a rock ‘n’ roll band.

If we were a rock ‘n’ roll band,And we were up there on the stand,

The people would hear us and love us and cheer us,Hurray for that rock ‘n’ roll band.

If we were a rock ‘n’ roll band,Then we’d have a million fans.

We’d giggle and laugh and sign autographs,If we were a rock ‘n’ roll band.

Rhyme Scheme

• The rhyme scheme of a poem describes th pattern of rhyming words

• The last word of the first line receives the letter “a”• The last word of the second line receives the letter

“a” if it rhymes with the first line• If the last word of the second line does not rhyme

with the first line, it receives the letter “b”• The next new rhyme receives a “c”

Backward BillBackward Bill, Backward Bill, AHe lives way up on Backward Hill, AWhich is really a hole in the sandy ground B(But that’s a hill turned upside down). B

Backward Bill’s got a backward shack CWith a big front porch that’s built out back. CYou walk through a window and look out the door DAnd the cellar is up on the very top floor. D

Backward Bill he rides like the wind EDon’t know where he’s going but sees where he’s been. EHis spurs they go “neigh” and his horse it goes “clang” FAnd his six-gun goes “gnab,” it never goes “bang.” F

Let’s look at one more…

To Be Said of Ed

There once was a man named Ed AWho had brain cells galore in his head AAnd though he was older BHe became even bolder BAbout saying what had to be said A

Stanza, Repetition, Rhyme Scheme

• Prior Knowledge:Can you identify stanza, repetition, and rhyme

scheme in a poem?

In your learning clubs, you will:1. count and label stanzas2. find and label examples of repetition3. identify and label the rhyme scheme

Tuesday

Poetry and Figurative Language

Simile

• A simile is a type of figurative language which involves comparing two unlike things

• A simile usually used the words “like” or “as.”

***Remember, figurative language is used by the author to help the reader visualize what is happening in the poem or story.

Let’s look at some examples of simile…

*His feet were as big as boats. We are comparing his feet to boats.

*The cricket’s chirp was as soothing as a lullaby.We are comparing the chirp to a lullaby.

*The burnt toast was black like charcoal.Toast is being compared to charcoal

Simile example by a student…

BUTTERFLIES by CLAIR Butterflies are as light as feathersThey are like paper bags floating in the airAnd are as beautiful as dancing spiritsI think they are as small as stars in the sky.Sometimes they are as blue as tear dropsI bet they love flowers swaying in the breezeButterflies are so cool!

One more example…Flint

An emerald is as green as grass,A ruby red as blood;

A sapphire shines as blue as heaven;A flint lies in the mud.

A diamond is a brilliant stone,To catch the world's desire;An opal holds a fiery spark;

But a flint holds a fire.

• Christina Rossetti 1830-1894

Simile

• Prior Knowledge:– Can you identify the ideas compared using simile?

**You will be given a beginning of a simile and will work with a partner to complete the simile.

Be ready to share!

Wednesday

• Poetry and Figurative Language

Metaphor

A metaphor is a figurative language tool used to make a comparison between two things that wouldn’t normally be connected.

A metaphors are similar to similes, but they DO NOT use the words like or as.

Try to see the visual picture the author is creating in the examples…

What is being compared?

• The tornado was a raging bull, crushing everything in its path.

• The stars were sky jewels twinkling overhead in the night sky.

• I was grounded for a week and my bedroom was a prison of despair.

Poems with Metaphors:

I AM A SWORD

I am a sword,Sharper than a tongueNobody can defeat me,Because I am a sword,

I can not be hurt by what people sayAbout me,

I will not show my angerAgainst

Someone else.• By Alex

A Book Is

A book is an open flowerscented pages, fragrant hours

a crafty foxsurprising in its clever plots

a fairy's wingswith princesses, enchanted kings

a windowsillwhere breezy thoughts are never still

an hour glasswhose pages flow as hours pass

a lock and keythat opens doors and sets minds free

an ancient clockthat speaks the times but never talks

an open letterwhen read again the friendship's better

an apple corewith seeds inside for growing more

a trusted friendthat keeps its secret to the end

Metaphors

• Prior knowledge:– What is the difference between a simile and a

metaphor?

Guided Practice:You will be given examples of metaphors. You and a partner will write your own comparisons using metaphors.

Thursday

Poetry and Figurative Language

Personification

• Personification is a form of figurative language that gives an inanimate object (an idea, object, or animal) human qualities.

Examples1.The large rock refused to

budge.The word refused describes what a person might do.

2. The warm breeze wrapped its arms around me.A person would wrap their arms around another person.

Ladybug, LadybugLadybug, LadybugStay right here.Don’t fly home,You have nothing to fear.

Your children are sleeping.Your husband is shopping.Your father is sweeping.Your mother is mopping.

Your grandma is strumming.Your grandpa is clapping.Your auntie is humming.Your uncle is napping.

Your brother is riding.Your sister is cooking.Your niece is hiding.Your nephew is looking.

Ladybug, LadybugStay right here.Don’t fly home,You have nothing to fear.

~John Himmelman

Personification

• Prior knowledge:What human characteristics are given to an

object, animal, or idea?

Guided practice:You and a partner will assign a human characteristic to a non-human item and write an example of personification.