Writing Assignments Poetry

Poetry has often reflected the voice of the time. Meaning, subject matter and language choices may change with whatever is considered an everyday concern in the current society’s expectations. Not many contemporary poems will use the same language as Shakespeare, but that does not mean that they are any less valid and likewise, poetry that lasts through the transition of time still connects with the reader in some way. In poetry, poems are written in lines, and groupings of lines called stanzas.

Poetic Devices to use in your poems.

 Alliteration – words begin with the same letter: The wiggly wobbly wagon wheel
 Allusion – reference to something else outside of the subject of the poem: The open window alludes to the woman’s longing for freedom from her current situation.
  Imagery – descriptive, sensory words that create a mental picture.
  Metaphor – comparison between two unlike things without using like or as.
 Personification – attributing human qualities to animals or inanimate objects: The willow weeps    Repetition – a recurrence of elements to create unity
 Rhyme – same syllable or word sounds, often occurring at the end of lines of poetry. There is also the possibility of slant rhyme. This is when words do not truly rhyme but have a similar sound or appear to rhyme visually (bridge/grudge, orange/forage, said/paid).
 Rhythm – repetition of stressed and unstressed syllables which create a certain sound and pace.
 Simile – comparison between two objects using like, as, or than.
 Symbolism – using one object to suggest another meaning: A window might symbolize freedom, release, or opportunity.
  Theme – the dominant unifying idea in a poem


ALL POETRY DUE THURS JUNE 13
Poem #1 Theme: Marks 10
Poem #2 Experience: Marks 10
Poem#3 Choice: Marks 10

In all of the poems try to incorporate poetic deices to try to get your ideas across. Using words that help the reader see images is helpful as is creating a feeling or mood in your poem. Make sure you have something to say in your poem...meaning is most important. Poems should all be 8 lines or longer.

Sample poem:

This Is Just To Say

BY WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS

I have eaten

the plums

that were in

the icebox

and which

you were probably

saving

for breakfast

Forgive me

they were delicious

so sweet

and so cold