Short, humorous poems Made in 18 th century (1700s) Takes its name from a country in Ireland that was featured in an old song, Oh Will You Come Up to Limerick Sometimes seen as light verse, but they have very strict rules for structure
5 lines aabba rhyme scheme Titles are first lines Often manipulate words that rhyme to make them fit together
A form of poetry that originated in Japan. In their original form, haiku were the introductory verses of longer poems called tanka, but they have become popular as a form in their own right since the 17 th century.
A 17 syllable structure, organized as follows: 1 st line: 5 syllables 2 nd line: 7 syllables 3 rd line: 5 syllables A traditional subject matter emphasizing nature and seasons, and how the seasons affect human lives.
An emphasis on images rather than explanation. A structure of ideas based on a one-line image and a two-line image. A shift in the scale of images, from a largescale image (the world, or natural forces) to a small-scale image (a part of the world, a person or object), or vice versa.
In Japan, the writing and reading of haiku is not merely a literary or artistic pursuit. It is linked to broader cultural beliefs and practices for example, a cultural life that is strongly linked to the passage of the seasons. Because this form of poetry is culturally specific, we readers may not form the same response, or make the same meaning, as a Japanese reader of the same poem.
For instance, a lot of Western readers prefer the strong speaker s voice of a narrative. This shows how context and personal experiences influence our reading/meaning making of a text.
Expresses strong emotions and feelings about a topic Short (under 100 lines) In ancient Greece, lyric poetry was accompanied by a lyre (stringed instrument) Even now, it is sometimes set to music or a specific beat
Sonnet Ode Elegy Haiku
Important form in the history of English poetry Originated in Italy and spread to England in 16 th century Often written for the purpose of praising or complimenting someone (like receiving a Valentine s card) Often compare the favored person to the beauties of nature Poets would write sonnets to flatter someone who might be able to offer them employment, like royalty.
14 lines abab cdcd efef gg rhyme scheme 4 parts to a sonnet (3 sets of 4 lines, 1 set of 2 lines) Each part is normally about a new idea/subject Last 2 lines are often the big idea
In Sonnet 18, the speaker uses nature imagery to compare the woman he loves to a day in summer, because she is both lovely and temperate (2). However, he also explains that just as summer fades, so do beauty and attractiveness. He states, And every fair from fair sometimes declines, meaning all things eventually lose their beauty (7). The speaker ends the poem by stating that even though beauty declines, his love s beauty will not, because this poem gives life to thee, meaning this printed poem keeps her beauty and memory alive forever (14). In conclusion, this poem suggests that although one s physical beauty may fade, one s love and beauty may be captured and expressed through the written word and thus last forever.
How do words help us make connections between ourselves and the world?
I thank you For the gift of a glimpse. I see the sun dance on the leaves; I see those same leaves float to the ground; I then see flurries do a carousel. I see rain make pictures On your face. I say hello and goodbye to both the sun and moon-- I see them because of you.
A type of lyric poetry Traditionally, odes praise people, the arts, or natural scenes using lofty language Many modern odes praise silly or nonsensical things
During WWI, Cummings joined a volunteer ambulance corps in France. The unusual writing style of his letters back home convinced French censors he was a spy. As a result, he was imprisoned for three months. His father was told he was lost at sea. It took several months for his father to learn the truth.
How does this poem show the joy of hearing from someone you haven t heard from in a long time? Think images, diction (repetition, figurative language, personification, etc.), and even structure!
Most common form of poetry by modern poets Typically no set rhyme or strict rhythmical pattern Lines can be of varying lengths The physical layout of the words on the page guide the reading
How do these poems use words to accurately and poetically capture a moment?
Read through the following examples of odes and free verse poems. On your sheet of paper, first write the title of the poem. Then list out examples of literary devices (metaphor, simile, personification, onomatopoeia, imagery). Use your literary handout to help you.
Why is there so much poetry geared towards children? In other words, why do children like poetry?
Ring around the Rosie is actually about the Black Death, an event that killed 20% of the world s population
Diction writer s choice of words Imagery descriptive language using the 5 senses Refrain group of repeated lines, usually at the end of a stanza
Light, rhythmical verse Peculiar characters set in amusing situations Whimsical and humorous tone Meaningless made-up words
Written by Edward Lear nonsensical limericks, challenged what society conserved to be good poems (too serious for his taste) Is about a group of people called the Jumblies, who go on an adventure to the mountains brown Are the Jumblies brave or ridiculous? What is the message? Why is this poem appealing to kids?
Were the Jumblies brave or ridiculous to go on their journey? What message might this poem be trying to communicate to children? What is unique or interesting about this poem s diction? How does it connect to the ideas of nonsense poetry?
Defy common sense and views of the majority The Jumblies are small and frail yet defy the odds Satiric The others were super-cautious and didn t think it wise to go, but then they decide to go too!
Written by Lewis Carroll (Alice in Wonderland) This poem was in the sequel, Through the Looking Glass Alice finds the book while in a dream Uses made up words like vorpol sword and blithy gloves, but we can follow a basic plot Words sound like they could be real or their sounds help communicate their meaning Even Carroll did not know what all of the words mean Why does this poem appeal to children?
Alice s reaction in the story:'it seems very pretty,' she said when she had finished it, 'but it's rather hard to understand!' (You see she didn't like to confess, even to herself, that she couldn't make it out at all.) 'Somehow it seems to fill my head with ideas only I don't exactly know what they are! However, somebody killed something: that's clear, at any rate'
What meaning did you make from the poem? (What is this poem about?) What is unique or interesting about the diction in the poem? Try to find at least 3 examples of onomatopoeia.
What common story is captured in the poem? What idea remains?
Written by Ogden Nash (famous for limericks) You will read and explicate this poem independently.
Create a greeting card using the structure of one of the poems we have studied in class. Card must be created for a real person: a parent, bf/gf, friend, sibling, teacher, etc. Requirements: At least 2 images, at least 1 poem that follows the guidelines of that form, color, neatness, attractiveness, AND A written message that includes 2 examples of correct SVA, one using compound subjects, one using an indefinite pronoun as subject.
Tells a story but with a poetic flair Has some of the same elements as a story: characters, setting, plot, conflict, mood, dialogue, etc. Uses poetic devices: rhyme, rhythm, figurative language, imagery, etc.
Short, narrative poem that is meant to be sung Often tells of love, death, and/or the supernatural Has rhythm and repeated phases (refrain) Simple language and short dialogue
Descriptive writing (painting pictures with words) can provide different levels of meaning in a poem. Literal meaning is the actual, everyday meaning of words. Figurative meaning is based on the symbolic nature of language, new ways to express ideas.
A figurative description that compares two or more things that are similar in some ways. For example, a poem that describes an ocean can be an analogy for life. Both are vast, deep, and ever-changing.
Frost used the wooden landscape of New England as the backdrop of many of his poems. These images from nature often are metaphors for more universal, or bigger, ideas.
Whitman worked in military hospitals, taking care of Union soldiers, during the Civil War. This poem is a elegy--whitman wrote this poem as a tribute to Abraham Lincoln.