Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
An Introduction to
withPoetry
What is Poetry?Webster’s dictionary defines poetry as language chosen and arranged to create a specific emotional response through meaning, sound and rhythm.
Shel Silverstein, a well known poet of the 20th Century says, “ I just hope people, no matter what age, will find something to identify with in my books, pick one up and experience a sense of personal discovery.”
Through a study of several Shel Silverstein poems, you will discover many elements, forms, and styles of poetry to stimulate your imagination.
RhymeWords that start with a different sound, but end with the same sound are rhymes. Rhyming lines are designated with the same letter.
RhymeInvitation Rhyme SchemeIf you are a dreamer, come in,AIf you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar,BA hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer…BFor we have some flax-golden tales to spin.ACome in! ACome in! A
From: Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein, pg 9.
The regular beat of a poem is designated by the stress (΄) symbol.
Rhythm
Tatooin’ RuthCóllars are chóking,Pánts are expénsive,Jáckets are ítchy and hót,So tattóoin’ Rứth tattóoed
me a sứit.Now folks thínk I’m dréssedWhen I’m nót.
From: Falling Up by Shel Silverstein, pg 48.
Rhythm
Creates a picture or image in your mind.
Imagery
New WorldUpside-down trees swingin’ free,Busses float and buildings dangle:Now and then it’s nice to seeThe world—from a different angle.
From: Falling Up by Shel Silverstein, pg 62.
Imagery
PersonificationSomething not human is given human characteristics.
Snake ProblemIt’s not that I don’t care for snakes,But oh what do you doWhen a 24-foot python says…
Personification
From: A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein, pg 44.
AlliterationThe same sound at the beginning of a word is used repeatedly.
The Gnome, The Gnat and The GnuI saw an ol’ gnomeTake a gknock at a gnatWho was gnibbling the gnose of his gnu.I said, “Gnasty gnome,Gnow, stop doing that.That gnat ain’t done gnothint to you.”
He gnodded his gnarled ol’ head and said,“’Til gnow I gnever gnewThat gknocking a gnatIn the gnoodle like thatWas gnot a gnice thing to do.”
From: Falling Up by Shel Silverstein, pg 71.
Alliteration
MetaphorA word is used to symbolize another. Example—She is an angel.
Hot DogI have a hot dog for a pet,The only kind my folks would letMe get.He does smell sort of badAnd yet, He absolutely never gets The sofa wet.We have a butcher for a vet,The strangest vet you ever met.Guess we’re the weirdest family yet,To have a hot dog for a pet.
Metaphor
From: A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein, pg 69.
SimileA word is used to denote something else using “like” or “as.”Example—She is like an angel.
SnowballI made myself a snowballAs perfect as could be.I thought I’d keep it as a petAnd let it sleep with me.I made it some pajamasAnd a pillow for its head.Then last night it ran awayBut first—it wet the bed.
From: Falling Up by Shel Silverstein,
pg 11.
Simile
OnomatopoeiaWords that suggest the sound something makes.
Push ButtonI push the light switch button and–click–the light goes on.I push the lawn mower button and–voom–it mows the lawn.I push the root beer button and–whoosh it–fills my cup.I push the glove compartment button–clack–it opens up.I push the TV button and–zap–there’s Wyatt Earp.I push my belly button…BURP!
From: A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein, pg 158.
Onomatopoeia
OxymoronTwo opposites put together in a phrase or sentence.
Falling UpI tripped on my shoelaceAnd I fell up–Up to the roof tops,Up over the town,Up past the tree tops,Up over the mountains,Up where the colorsBlend into the sounds.But it got me so dizzyWhen I looked around,I got sick to my stomachAnd I threw down.
Oxymoron
From: Falling Up by Shel Silverstein, pg 7.
LyricsThe words to a song.
The UnicornA long time ago, when the earth was greenAnd there was more kinds of animals than you’ve ever seen,And they run around free while the world was bein’ born,And the loveliest of all was the Unicorn. There was green alligators and long-neck geese There was humpy bumpy camels and chimpanzees. There was catsandratsandelephants, but sure as you’re born The loveliest of all was the Unicorn.
Lyrics
From: Where the Side Walk Ends by Shel Silverstein, pg 76.
FormsPoets often put words in different forms to create the feeling of the poem.
LazylazylazylazylazyJane,shewantsadrinkofwatersoshewaitsandwaitsand waitsandwaitsandwaitsForittorain.
FormsLazy Jane
From: Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein, pg 87.
LimerickA humorous poetic form of 5 lines in a verse with a set syllable and rhyme scheme.
The CastleIt’s the fabulous castle of Now.You can walk in and wander about,But it’s so very thin,Once you are, then you’ve been–And soon as you’re in, you’re out.
Limerick
From: Falling Up by Shel Silverstein, pg 171.
Free VersePoetry with no set rhyme or rhythm.
Free Verse
From: Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein, pg 107.
EpitaphA poem often used on a gravestone.
Put Something InDraw a crazy picture,Write a nutty poem,Sing a mumble-gumble song,Whistle through your comb.Do a loony-goony dance‘Cross the kitchen floor,Put something silly in the worldThat ain’t been there before.
Epitaph
From: A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein, pg 22.
An Introduction to
withPoetry
Click here to return to web site.
