Exam Prep. Links/Resources

http://www.leasttern.com/LitTerms/literary_terms.htm#LiteraryForms

Thank You Mr. Kerr!

Local artist and poet-extrordinaire, Ted Kerr, presented to our class last week, and we want to say THANKS!

Ode

Definition: An ode is a piece of poetry or prose that is addressed to someone or something and which speaks with good feeling or respect.

In terms of topics, an ode can be to anyone or anything.  For example: “An Ode to My Eraser” or “Ode to McDonalds”, and so on.

Poetic Device #3: Simile

When we use a simile we say one that one thing is like or as something else.  We all use similes without realizing it.

We Read To Know We Are Not Alone…

Reading, and especially for our purposes reading poetry, is an amazing thing.  We bring ourselves — our likes, dislikes, personality and experiences — to every poem we read, and the “us” we take away from the poem is always a little different and changed forever.  In a way, when we read, we become the poem, and the poem becomes us.  Sometimes we read a poem that really strikes a chord with us; it has a special meaning and touches us in some way.

Extended Metaphors

A metaphor is defined as “a comparison between one thing and another without using like or as.”  An extended metaphor is a longer metaphor that continues the comparison for several lines or stanzas; multiple comparisons are made between the two things instead of just one.

Poetic Device #2: Alliteration

Alliteration is the repetition of letters and sounds for effect.  It is often used by authors and poets.  The effect can be:

          …spooky – The silver spider slowly sidled towards her.

The Ballad

The ballad was a story told in a song. The song was simple so that the listener could join in. The stories were also interesting, so people wanted to listen to them.

The Cinquain Poem

Cinquain (sin-cane) is an unrhymed form of poetry consisting of five prescribed lines.  Cinquains do not have titles; the first line serves that function by announcing the topic.

Poetic Device #1: Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia is the use of sound words, words that sound like the thing they describe. Poets often use onomatopoeia. For example: