Transcript Document

An Introduction to
Poetry
with
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.
Rhyme
Words that start with a
different sound, but end with
the same sound are rhymes.
Rhyming lines are
designated with the same
letter.
Rhyme
Invitation
Rhyme Scheme
If you are a dreamer, come in,
If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar,
A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer…
For we have some flax-golden tales to spin.
Come in!
Come in!
From: Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein, pg 9.
A
B
B
A
A
A
Rhythm
The regular beat of
a poem is
designated by the
stress (΄) symbol.
Rhythm
Tatooin’ Ruth
Cóllars are chóking,
Pánts are expénsive,
Jáckets are ítchy and hót,
So tattóoin’ Rứth tattóoed
me a sứit.
Now folks thínk I’m dréssed
When I’m nót.
From: Falling Up by Shel Silverstein, pg
48.
Imagery
Creates a picture or
image in your mind.
Imagery
New World
Upside-down trees swingin’ free,
Busses float and buildings dangle:
Now and then it’s nice to see
The world—from a different angle.
From: Falling Up by Shel Silverstein, pg 62.
Personification
Something not human is given
human characteristics.
Personification
Snake Problem
It’s not that I don’t care for snakes,
But oh what do you do
When a 24-foot python says…
From: A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein, pg 44.
Alliteration
The same sound at the
beginning of a word is
used repeatedly.
Alliteration
The Gnome, The Gnat and The Gnu
I saw an ol’ gnome
Take a gknock at a gnat
Who 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 gnew
That gknocking a gnat
In the gnoodle like that
Was gnot a gnice thing to do.”
From: Falling Up by Shel Silverstein, pg 71.
Metaphor
A word is used to symbolize another.
Example—She is an angel.
Metaphor
Hot Dog
I have a hot dog for a pet,
The only kind my folks would let
Me get.
He does smell sort of bad
And 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.
From: A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein, pg 69.
Simile
A word is used to
denote something else
using “like” or “as.”
Example—She is like
an angel.
Simile
Snowball
I made myself a snowball
As perfect as could be.
I thought I’d keep it as a pet
And let it sleep with me.
I made it some pajamas
And a pillow for its head.
Then last night it ran away
But first—it wet the bed.
From: Falling Up by Shel Silverstein, pg 11.
Onomatopoeia
Words that suggest the sound
something makes.
Onomatopoeia
Push Button
I 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.
Oxymoron
Two opposites put
together in a phrase or
sentence.
Oxymoron
Falling Up
I tripped on my shoelace
And I fell up–
Up to the roof tops,
Up over the town,
Up past the tree tops,
Up over the mountains,
Up where the colors
Blend into the sounds.
But it got me so dizzy
When I looked around,
I got sick to my stomach
And I threw down.
From: Falling Up by Shel Silverstein, pg 7.
Lyrics
The words to a song.
Lyrics
The Unicorn
A long time ago, when the earth was green
And 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.
From: Where the Side Walk Ends
by Shel Silverstein, pg 76.
Forms
Poets often put words in
different forms to create
the feeling of the poem.
Forms
Lazy Jane
From: Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein, pg 87.
Lazy
lazy
lazy
lazy
lazy
Jane,
she
wants
a
drink
of
water
so
she
waits
and
waits
and
waits
and
waits
and
waits
For
it
to
rain.
Limerick
A humorous poetic form
of 5 lines in a verse with a
set syllable and rhyme
scheme.
Limerick
The Castle
It’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.
From: Falling Up by Shel Silverstein, pg 171.
Free Verse
Poetry with no set rhyme
or rhythm.
Free Verse
From: Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein, pg 107.
Epitaph
A poem often used
on a gravestone.
Epitaph
Put Something In
Draw 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 world
That ain’t been there before.
From: A Light in the Attic
by Shel Silverstein, pg 22.
An Introduction to
Poetry
with
Click here to return to web site.