Voices

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Voices

• Expressions in poetry

Written by A. E. Pena for use in BISD schools
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What is poetry?

• An outlet for emotion?
• An expression of emotion?
• A way of giving voice to the voiceless?
• Simply letters and words?
• Write your own definition of poetry

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Key Elements of Poetry

• Form
• Sound
• Imagery
• Figurative language
• speaker

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Key Element FORM

• The way a poem looks on the page is called its
  FORM. The form of a prom can add to its meaning.
• Poems are written in lines which may or may not
  be sentences.
• In structured forms of poetry lines are often
  grouped into stanzas in a regular, repeated
  program.
• Poems with no form are called free verse.

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Sound an important part of poetry

• Rhyme Similar sounds at the end of words.
• Rhythm pattern of stressed and unstressed
  syllables in the poems lines.
• Repetition sounds, words, phrases, or whole
  lines in a poem used to emphasize a feeling or
  idea
• Onomatopoeia use of words whose sounds suggest
  their meanings.

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Example of Sound

• The Man From Aruba
• There once was a man from Aruba, Whose
  favorite hobby was scuba.
• Every day he would wish,
• He could spear a big fish.
• But settled instead for canned tuna.

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Imagery

• Language that appeals to the readers five senses
  sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. Ex
  feather clouds
• Where would you see blistering sands?

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Imagery

• The Worker
• Richard W. Thomas
•  
• My father lies black and hushed
• Beneath white hospital sheets
• He collapsed at work
• His iron left him
• Slow and quiet he sank
•  
• Meeting the wet concrete floor on his way
• The wheels were still turning--they couldn't stop
• Red and yellow lights flashing
• Gloved hands twisting knobs--they couldn't stop
• And as they carried him out
• The whirring and buzzing and humming machines
• Applauded him
• Lapping up his dripping iron
• They couldn't stop

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Figurative Language

• Simile a comparison that uses the signal word
  like or as
• Metaphor a direct comparison with no signal
  words.
• Personification when a poet describes an animal
  or object as if it were human or had human
  qualities that is called personification.

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• CLASS ASSIGNMENT
• Is this poetry? In groups you will analyze the
  following lyrics. Based on the evidence (lyrics)
  on what basis (elements) could you say this is or
  isnt a poem?

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Gangstas Paradise by Coolio
As I walk through the valley of the shadow of
deathI take a look at my life and realize
there's not much leftcoz I've been blastin and
laughin so long, thateven my mama thinks that my
mind is gonebut I ain't never crossed a man that
didn't deserve itme be treated like a punk you
know that's unheard ofyou better watch how
you're talking, and where you're walkingor you
and your homies might be lined in chalkI really
hate to trip but i gotta, locAs I Grow I see
myself in the pistol smoke, foolI'm the kinda G
the little homies wanna be like on my knees in
the night, saying prayers in the streetlight
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been spending most their lives, living in the
gangsta's paradise (repeat)They got the
situation, they got me facin'I can't live a
normal life, I was raised by the stripes so I
gotta be down with the hood teamtoo much
television watching got me chasing dreamsI'm an
educated fool with money on my mindgot my 10 in
my hand and a gleam in my eyeI'm a loc'd out
gangsta set trippin' bangerand my homies is down
so don't arouse my anger, fooldeath ain't
nothing but a heartbeat away,I'm living life, do
or die, what can I sayI'm 23 now, but will I
live to see 24the way things are going I don't
know Tell me why are we, so blind to seeThat
the one's we hurt, are you and mebeen spending
most their lives, living in the gangsta's
paradise
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• Power and the money, money and the powerminute
  after minute, hour after hour
• Everybody's running, but half of them ain't
  lookingwhat's going on in the kitchen, but I
  don't know what's kickin
• They say I gotta learn, but nobody's here to
  teach meif they can't understand it, how can
  they reach me
• I guess they can't, I guess they won't
• I guess they front, that's why I know my life is
  out of luck, fool
• Tell me why are we, so blind to seeThat the
  one's we hurt, are you and meTell me why are we,
  so blind to seeThat the one's we hurt, are you
  and me

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Poetry Books

• At your table you will find several poetry books.
  As a group find one example of each element of
  poetry. Be ready to present your findings to the
  class in ten minutes.

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PROJECT assignment
You're a POET!

• You will be creating a poetry book during the
  next 3 weeks.
• You will keep an example of each type of poetry
  we study!!
• You will keep an example of your own poetic work
  for every type we study you will create your OWN
  WORK. ?
• DUE MAY 27 NO EXCUSES!!!