Persona Poems

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Persona Poems
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What is Persona?

• The Greek word "persona" means mask.
• The persona of the poem is the speaker of the
  poem, much like the narrator of a book.
• Like in a book, the speaker can be the author or
  a character.

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What is a Persona Poem?

• A persona poem is a poem written in the first
  person, in which a writer imagines he/she is an
  animal, an object, a famous person - anyone
  he/she is not. 

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When trying to determine a poem's persona, ask
yourself

• Who is speaking in the poem?
• How does the word choice indicate the voice?
• What does the speaker reveal about him/herself
  and his/her situation?
• What words and images show the voice and persona
  in the poem?

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Now You Can Write Your Own!

• First, choose a person or kind of person that is
  significantly different from you.
• Step into that persons head and try to imagine
  how that person thinks.
• Write a poem speaking from the voice of that
  person. Feel free to say things that this person
  might think but never say out loud.

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• Include in your poem at least one example of
• Simile
• Metaphor
• and personification
• . You do NOT have to rhyme, but you may if you
  choose.
• Your poem should be typed.

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Ask yourself questions to develop the persona for
your poem.

• What is your persona's/characters name?
  Nickname?
• What are your persona's/characters facial
  features hair color? Eye color?
• What are his/her physical traits? a birthmark? a
  scar?
• What are his/her favorites things?

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• Who are your personas friends and family? Who
  does she surround herself with? Who are the
  people your persona is closest to? Who does he
  wish he were closest to?
• Where was your persona born? Where has she lived
  since then? Where is home?
• Where does your persona go when shes angry?

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• What is her biggest fear? Who has she told this
  to? Who would she never tell? Does she have a
  secret?
• What are her goals, desires, challenges and
  habits?
• Has she ever been in love?
• What does this persona need to say? or do? or
  have? or obtain?
• What is your character's mood melancholy,
  lamenting, angry, excited, hopeful, afraid, or
  humorous?