Hurray For Poetry

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Hurray For Poetry!

• Write that down.

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What is Poetry?

• Poetry is just the evidence of life.  If your
  life is burning well, poetry is just the ash. 
  Leonard Cohen
• Poetry is a deal of joy and pain and wonder, with
  a dash of the dictionary.  Kahlil Gibran

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Common Characteristics of Poetry

• Sentences divided into lines
• Lines are sometimes grouped into stanza to create
  a musical effect
• Use descriptive language, creating images that
  can affect the reader emotionally
• Tone of poem can expose poets feelings and
  attitudes about an issue
• Can cover a wide range of topics both serious
  and everyday

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How To Read and Understand Poetry

• Read the poem several times

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How To Read and Understand Poetry

• Look up unfamiliar words in the dictionary

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How To Read and Understand Poetry

• Read the poem slowly

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How To Read and Understand Poetry

• Notice where sentences begin and end

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How To Read and Understand Poetry

• Apply what you do know to the parts that you
  dont know

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How To Read and Understand Poetry

• Read the poem aloud

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How To Read and Understand Poetry

• Listen to the sound and rhythm of the poem, as it
  is relevant

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How To Read and Understand Poetry

• Look for what the poet is trying to tell you

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How To Read and Understand Poetry

• Let the poem paint pictures in your mind so you
  can visualize

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How To Read and Understand Poetry

• Share your ideas with others (when appropriate)

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Two Basic Steps 1 - 2

• Read the poem and have a natural response.
• (Hating poetry doesnt count as a natural
  response in this case)

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Two Basic Steps 2 - 2

• Try to determine why you had that response, as it
  was most likely the poets doing.
• Look for poetic devices, etc.