Poetry – How to Write a Diamond Poem

Diamond Poetry

Marbles
Smooth, Glossy
Rolling, Moving, Scoring
Games, Fun, Bouncer, Players
Swirling, Twirling, Spinning
Round, Circular
Sphere

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If you would like to try writing a diamond poem, follow these rules

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Line 2 – Two adjectives describing the noun on line one.

Line 3 – Three verbs that end in -ing. They tell what the noun in line one does.

Line 4 – Four nouns that go with the noun in line one.

Line 5 – Three verbs that end in -ing. They tell what the noun in line four does

Line 6 – Two adjectives describing the noun on line seven.

Line 7 – A noun that means the same as line one.

HERE is a great guide for writing all kinds of diamond poems (includes examples)

Try THIS site for an easy “fill in the blanks” poem.

Click HERE for a great step by step diamond poem creator. You can publish and print your finished product.

Poetry Portfolio and SS Test

It’s that time of year when we wrap things up and get ready to say goodbye. Look here to keep track of when you final assessments will be.

English – Poetry Portfolio

• Due Thursday 6/6/13 for Day 1 (D block)
• Due Friday 7/6/13 for Day 2 (F block)

Poetry Portfolio Directions 2013

Social Studies – Middle Ages + Catherine, Called Birdy Test

• Tuesday 4/6/13 for Day 1 (A block)
• Wednesday 5/6/13 for Day 2 (E block)

BLACK  DEATH  DAY will be on Thursday and Friday in Social Studies. Wear Black!

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Poetry – How to Write a Sonnet

What Is a Sonnet?

A sonnet is a poem that consists of 14 lines, follows a specific rhyming pattern, and each line should consist of ten syllables.

The 14 lines of a sonnet can be broken down into three quatrains and an ending couplet (two rhyming lines).

Sonnets should be written with one clear theme.

Part 1 – quatrain

• Lines 1-4 make up the first quatrain. (4 lines)
• These four lines should establish the subject of the poem.
• The rhyming pattern for these four lines is ABAB.

Part 2 – quatrain

• Lines 5-8 make up the first quatrain. (4 lines)
• These four lines should state the theme of the poem.
• The rhyming pattern for these four lines is CDCD.

Part 3 – quatrain

• Lines 9-12 make up the first quatrain. (4 lines)
• These four lines should support the theme of the poem.
• The rhyming pattern for these four lines is EFEF.

Part 4 – couplet

• Lines 13 and 14 are a rhyming couplet (2 lines)
• These last two lines conclude the poem.
• The rhyming pattern for these two lines is GG

Now you try! Follow these basic steps:

1. Choose a topic that you would like to write about.
2. Using the proper rhyme pattern, state your theme in a metaphor. (Lines 1-4)
3. Using the proper rhyme pattern, support your theme. (Lines 5-12)
4. Using the proper rhyme pattern, conclude your theme. (Lines 13 and 14)

This guide can help – William Shakespeare Sonnets -guide

HERE is a how-to guide to writing sonnets.

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Here is a really funny video that helps you learn about iambic pentameter (the rhythm of a sonnet)

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Poetry – Haiku

Haiku Poems – How To Write Them

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You can ignore the Twitter part. I want you to post your Haiku to comments.

A Haiku is a traditional form of Japanese poetry consisting of three lines.

Haikus go like this.
First you write five syllables,
then seven, then five.

Here is a classic:

Haikus are easy
But sometimes they don’t make sense

Refrigerator

What is a syllable?

A syllable is a unit of pronunciation having one vowel sound, with or without surrounding consonants, forming the whole or a part of a word; e.g., there are two syllables in water and three in inferno.

The word “Haiku” has two syllables:  Hai-ku; the word “introduction” has four syllables:  in-tro-duc-tion.

This site may (or may not) help.

Homework:

Now you try. Write some Haiku and post them in comments before next class. Remember to follow the rules of the poem, AND create a mood, emotion, or feeling with your poem.

Challenge: try to write at least one Haiku about the Middle Ages or Catherine, Called Birdy.

Poetry Slam Prep

It’s final prep time for your slam poem. Click on the link below, watch the video, and follow the lesson. Your responses will count as a HW grade.

TED-Ed Slam Poetry

After the video, it’s time to read your poem aloud. I mean ALOUD! Find a space and let it rip! Make edits as necessary, make revisions, trim the fat, but make sure you keep the heart and soul of your poem. Now read it ALOUD again. Repeat these steps as many times as is necessary.

Memorize your poem. You can have a printed copy (make the font large enough to easily read) in front of you if you wish.

Remember: Rhythm, Rhyme, Repetition, PIPES, and PASSION!

Your poem should be 1-2 minutes long, as it is presented. Practice and see how long yours is.

PRESENTATIONS:

Thursday – D Block (Eng. 1)

Friday – F Block (Eng. 2)

Poetry – How to Write an Acrostic Poem

Acrostic poems are one of the easiest to write. Select a topic, then think of a key word (or group of words) related to that topic and write it vertically. Add phrases or sentences to each letter to develop your poem.  Try the acrostic poem helper below if you need some help.

How to Write an Acrostic Poem

Great EASY Acrostic Poem Creator

* Each line should be a phrase or sentence!

Acrostic poems seem easy at first, but looks can be deceiving. You must really take your time and choose powerful words. Avoid overused words (dead words) like nice, bad, or awesome . Instead, try for strong words like breathtaking, horrific, or glorious.

Capture the heart of your topic!

Post your acrostic in the comments. Table points if everyone at your table posts by NEXT ENGLISH CLASS.

Here’s an example:

Catherine, Called Birdy

A knight’s daughter

Trapped like a bird in a gilded cage

Her fate sealed

Expectations thrust upon her

Rebelling against them

In time realization dawns

New understanding comes at last

Eventually learning to free her mind

Poetry – Slam Poem

SLAM poetry is all about in voicing problems and offering hope. Whatever you write about, you should feel passionate about. The three main elements of a good SLAM poem are:

1. Rhythm—Even though SLAM poetry is written in free verse (no rules), it has a definite driving rhythm, but not a regular rhythm like in limericks. The rhythm is more closely related to the free verse rhythm that keeps the poem moving from one line to the next.

2. Repetition—SLAM poetry uses repetition like a wheel uses a hub and all the spokes link in the hub. SLAM poets return the same word or phrase multiple times with in the poem to keep the reader returning time and again to the central focus.

3. Rhyme—While there is not a specific rhyme scheme, like in limerick, the rhyme in SLAM poetry is used to direct the readers ear toward a particular idea or theme. The entire poem is never rhyming. Rhyme is used in delicate balance with rhythm and repetition as a tool for the poet.

How to Write a SLAM poem…

• First, start with a cause! What are you angry about, or what do you love? What needs change in your world? What moves you deeply as person? Start with those issues that you want to address.
• Next, make a word bank of important words that you want to include in your poem. Listen to how the words and phrases sound. Are there any that you could hinge your poem around?
• Finally, start writing! Say your words aloud to hear them. After all, it is going to be read aloud!

For some more great tips, look here. You may not get all of it, but what you do get will be extremely useful.

Poetry – How to Write a Ballad

“There are twelve months in all the year,

As I hear many men say,

But the merriest month in all the year

Is the merry month of May.”

As we continue to learn about the Middle Ages, we will learn about a popular form of poetry called the ballad. Ballads are lyrical poems. Many popular songs are written in this style.

Ballads tell of an event. They were often used to spread the news, provide entertainment, or create a “bigger than real life” story.

You will choose a topic from the Middle Ages to write your ballad about.

Ballad Writing Tips

• Ballads often have verses of four lines
• usually have a rhyming pattern: either abab or aabb or abcb (usually the easiest to rhyme)
• repetition often found in ballads
  • entire stanzas can be repeated like a song’s chorus
  • lines can be repeated but each time a certain word is changed
  • a question and answer format can be built into a ballad: one stanza asks a questions and the next stanza answers the question
• Ballads contain a lot of dialogue.
• Action is often described in the first person
• Two characters in the ballad can speak to each other on alternating lines

On top of spaghetti

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Ballad – student example

HOMEWORK – Write a Ballad and post it to the comments here. Minimum length – 4 stanzas (4 quatrains) with a refrain

Here is a popular and classic love sone written in ballad form. Lyrics are below the video.

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FOREIGNER I WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE IS- Lyrics

Here is one of Ol’ King Cole’s favorites:

The Cremation of Sam McGee

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Maroon 5 Lyrics – She Will Be Loved

Are you starting to find the ryhming patterns inherent in ballads? Can you hear the beat? The driving rhythm of the music and the poetry?

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Poetry – Write a Cinquain

The American poet Adelaide Crapsey invented the modern form of poetry known as American Cinquain, pronounced (sin-cane), inspired by Japanese haiku and tanka. It creates a word picture and mood. Cinquains do not rhyme.

A cinquain is a five line poem. It has very strict rules about the number of syllables in each line.

RULES

Line 1 (2 syllables) States the poem’s subject or topic (usually a noun)

Line 2 (4 syllables) Describes the subject with 2 words (noun + adjective or 2 adjectives)

Line 3 (6 syllables) Expresses the subject’s action with 3 words (often 3 verbs)

Line 4 (8 syllables) Expresses an emotion or feeling about the subject

Line 5 (2 syllables) Restates the subject with another single word, reflecting what you’ve already said. (usually a noun)

Try this site if you want help counting the syllables for use in your poem.

Now it’s your turn to practice. Look at an artwork, or image, and write what you see, feel, and know about it. You may choose from one of the following artworks or images about the Middle Ages, or find one of your own.

Homework:

Compose a cinquain, and post it in the comments section below for your homework. Include your name, class, and table number in your post. Table points awarded for everyone who posts, with bonus points awarded to tables where everyone in the group posts.

Here are some examples:

Braveheart
Bravery, free
Fighting, loving, yelling
One of the bravest men ever
Freedom!

The king
Powerful, rich
Ruling powerful kingdoms
Everyone wants to please him
Monarch

Here’s fun one from Antonia:

Cats
Faithful, loving
Serene, playful, purring
Affectionate, loyal best friend
Kitty

Be prepared to read your poem out loud in your next English class. BE your poem. Be like the castle, king, knight, or peasant that you write about. Does your poem capture the mood and paint a mental picture in our minds?

Remember the two components of a poem that you are trying for:

1. Structure/Organization – Does my poem follow the rules?
2. Mood/Emotion – Does my poem create a mood and evoke an emotion? Does it paint a picture in the mind?

Social Structure Journal Prompt

You have shown and explained feudalism in your pyramid and paragraph. If feudalism can be represented in a pyramid, what does the social structure of the 7th grade student body look like? Think in terms of groups, not individuals. Explain why you placed each group where you did. Explain where you fit in.

DONE:
– Show and Tell for Feudalism

DO NOW:
– Show and Tell for 7th grade
– Where do you fit in?

What does the structure look like? What shape can you use to show it? Ok, now draw it and clearly label it.

Now explain it in words. Write a descriptive paragraph explaining how it works.

Due: Next S.S. class (you’ll have to finish it on your own if you don’t finish in class)