How to Write an OdeHow to Write an Ode

What is an Ode?What is an Ode? Generally Generally defined as a rhymed poem or defined as a rhymed poem or

irregular meterirregular meter (eHow, Inc., 2010). (eHow, Inc., 2010). An An exalted lyric poemexalted lyric poem, , aiming at loftier aiming at loftier

thought, more dignified expression, and thought, more dignified expression, and more intricate formal structuremore intricate formal structure than most than most lyrics (School Link, 2010).lyrics (School Link, 2010).

A form of stately and elaborate lyrical verse A form of stately and elaborate lyrical verse (Gardiner, 2007).(Gardiner, 2007).

The The pattern of an ode is that it describes a pattern of an ode is that it describes a scene, then focuses on a problem or a scene, then focuses on a problem or a particular situation and then arrives at a particular situation and then arrives at a conclusion which is made by returning to the conclusion which is made by returning to the original scene or statementoriginal scene or statement (tipDeck.com, (tipDeck.com, 2010).2010).

First,First,

Select a subject to write about: person, Select a subject to write about: person, place, or thing.place, or thing.

• You can write an ode about a city, a You can write an ode about a city, a person, a flower, or even a pen.person, a flower, or even a pen.

Second,Second,

Write phrases describing how your Write phrases describing how your subject makes you feel and why subject makes you feel and why you you feel this way.feel this way.

• Analyze all those attributes that Analyze all those attributes that you shall be praising in your odeyou shall be praising in your ode..

• Make a list of all the attributes that Make a list of all the attributes that you can think of about the ode’s you can think of about the ode’s topictopic..

(TipDeck.com, 2010)(TipDeck.com, 2010)

Third,Third,

Write many phrases telling unique qualities of Write many phrases telling unique qualities of your subject.your subject.

Explain why your subject is important to youExplain why your subject is important to you and why you adore it so much!and why you adore it so much!

Join some of your phrases into lines for your ode.Join some of your phrases into lines for your ode.

• Keep in mind that some odes contain Keep in mind that some odes contain several stanzas that have a typical rhyme several stanzas that have a typical rhyme scheme.scheme.

• Will you have a rhyme scheme in your Will you have a rhyme scheme in your ode?ode?

(TipDeck.com, 2010)(TipDeck.com, 2010)

Fourth,Fourth,

Revise your lines following these steps:Revise your lines following these steps:1.1. Take away any lines that are too similarTake away any lines that are too similar2.2. Add more feeling to any meaningless linesAdd more feeling to any meaningless lines3.3. Pick a good opening line or sentencePick a good opening line or sentence4.4. Order the remaining lines into their best Order the remaining lines into their best

sequencesequence5.5. Select a good closing line that clearly Select a good closing line that clearly

expresses your feelings about the subjectexpresses your feelings about the subject

(Think Quest, 2010)(Think Quest, 2010)

And finally,And finally,

Read your ode aloud Read your ode aloud to see if the flow of to see if the flow of your poem is seamless and that it makes your poem is seamless and that it makes sense.sense.

Allow others to read your ode and Allow others to read your ode and make some suggested changes.make some suggested changes.

Rewrite your ode in a final draftRewrite your ode in a final draft and and maybe even add an illustration.maybe even add an illustration.

(TipDeck.com, 2010)(TipDeck.com, 2010)

To AutumnTo Autumnby John Keatsby John Keats

SEASON of mists and mellow fruitfulness,SEASON of mists and mellow fruitfulness,Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;

Consipiring with him how to load and blessConsipiring with him how to load and blessWith fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;

To bend with apples the moss’d cottage-trees,To bend with apples the moss’d cottage-trees,And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;

To swell the gourd, and plump the hazels hellsTo swell the gourd, and plump the hazels hellsWith a sweet kernel; to set budding more,With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,

And still more, later flowers for the bees,And still more, later flowers for the bees,Until they think warm days will never cease,Until they think warm days will never cease,

For Summer has o’er-brimm’d their clammy For Summer has o’er-brimm’d their clammy cells.cells.

ReferencesReferences eHow, Inc., (2010). eHow, Inc., (2010). How to write an How to write an ode. Retrieved from ode. Retrieved from

http://www.ehow.com/how_16706_write-ode.htmlhttp://www.ehow.com/how_16706_write-ode.html School Link, (2010). School Link, (2010). Lesson plan: writing an Lesson plan: writing an ode. ode.

Retrieved from Retrieved from http://www.schoollink.org/csd/pages/engl/ode.htmlhttp://www.schoollink.org/csd/pages/engl/ode.html

Think Quest, (2010). Think Quest, (2010). On your toes with odes. On your toes with odes. Retrieved Retrieved from http://library.thinkquest.org/4382/odes.htmlfrom http://library.thinkquest.org/4382/odes.html

Gardiner, R. (2007). Gardiner, R. (2007). Writing an ode!!!Writing an ode!!!. Retrieved from . Retrieved from http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/article.html?id=609 http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/article.html?id=609

TipDeck.com, (2010). TipDeck.com, (2010). How to Write an How to Write an ode. Retrieved ode. Retrieved from http://tipdeck.com/how-to-write-an-odefrom http://tipdeck.com/how-to-write-an-ode