An Introduction to

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An Introduction to
Poetry
with
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What is Poetry?
Websters dictionary defines poetry as language
chosen and arranged to create a specific
emotional response through meaning, sound and
rhythm.
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Shel Silverstein, a well known poet of the 20th
Century says, I just hope people, no matter
what age, will find something to identify with in
my books, pick one up and experience a sense of
personal discovery.
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Through a study of several Shel Silverstein
poems, you will discover many elements, forms,
and styles of poetry to stimulate your
imagination.
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Rhyme
Words that start with a different sound, but end
with the same sound are rhymes. Rhyming lines are
designated with the same letter.
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Rhyme
Invitation Rhyme Scheme If you are a dreamer,
come in, A If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a
liar, B A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean
buyer B For we have some flax-golden tales to
spin. A Come in! A Come in! A From
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein, pg 9.
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Rhythm
The regular beat of a poem is designated by the
stress (?) symbol.
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Rhythm
Tatooin Ruth Cóllars are chóking, Pánts are
expénsive, Jáckets are ítchy and hót, So
tattóoin R?th tattóoed me a s?it. Now folks
thínk Im dréssed When Im nót. From Falling Up
by Shel Silverstein, pg 48.
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Imagery
Creates a picture or image in your mind.
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Imagery
New World Upside-down trees swingin free, Busses
float and buildings dangle Now and then its
nice to see The worldfrom a different angle.
From Falling Up by Shel Silverstein, pg 62.
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Personification
Something not human is given human
characteristics.
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Personification
Snake Problem Its not that I dont care for
snakes, But oh what do you do When a 24-foot
python says
From A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein,
pg 44.
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Alliteration
The same sound at the beginning of a word is used
repeatedly.
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Alliteration
The Gnome, The Gnat and The Gnu I saw an ol
gnome Take a gknock at a gnat Who was gnibbling
the gnose of his gnu. I said, Gnasty
gnome,Gnow, stop doing that. That gnat aint
done gnothint to you. He gnodded his gnarled
ol head and said, Til gnow I gnever gnew That
gknocking a gnat In the gnoodle like that Was
gnot a gnice thing to do. From Falling Up by
Shel Silverstein, pg 71.
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Metaphor
A word is used to symbolize another. ExampleShe
is an angel.
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Metaphor
Hot Dog I have a hot dog for a pet, The only kind
my folks would let Me get. He does smell sort of
bad And yet, He absolutely never gets The sofa
wet. We have a butcher for a vet, The strangest
vet you ever met. Guess were the weirdest family
yet, To have a hot dog for a pet.
From A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein,
pg 69.
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Simile
A word is used to denote something else using
like or as.ExampleShe is like an angel.
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Simile
Snowball I made myself a snowball As perfect as
could be. I thought Id keep it as a pet And let
it sleep with me. I made it some pajamas And a
pillow for its head. Then last night it ran
away But firstit wet the bed. From Falling Up
by Shel Silverstein, pg 11.
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Onomatopoeia
Words that suggest the sound something makes.
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Onomatopoeia
Push Button I push the light switch button
andclickthe light goes on. I push the lawn
mower button andvoomit mows the lawn. I push
the root beer button andwhoosh itfills my
cup. I push the glove compartment buttonclackit
opens up. I push the TV button andzaptheres
Wyatt Earp. I push my belly button BURP! From
A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein, pg 158.
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Oxymoron
Two opposites put together in a phrase or
sentence.
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Oxymoron
Falling Up I tripped on my shoelace And I fell
up Up to the roof tops, Up over the town, Up
past the tree tops, Up over the mountains, Up
where the colors Blend into the sounds. But it
got me so dizzy When I looked around, I got sick
to my stomach And I threw down.
From Falling Up by Shel Silverstein, pg 7.
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Lyrics
The words to a song.
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Lyrics
The Unicorn A long time ago, when the earth was
green And there was more kinds of animals than
youve ever seen, And they run around free while
the world was bein born, And the loveliest of
all was the Unicorn. There was green alligators
and long-neck geese There was humpy bumpy
camels and chimpanzees. There was
catsandratsandelephants, but sure as youre born
The loveliest of all was the Unicorn.
From Where the Side Walk Ends by Shel
Silverstein, pg 76.
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Forms
Poets often put words in different forms to
create the feeling of the poem.
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Lazy lazy lazy lazy lazy Jane, she wants a drink o
f water so she waits and waits and
waits and waits and waits For it to rain.
Forms
Lazy Jane From Where the Sidewalk
Ends by Shel Silverstein, pg 87.
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Limerick
A humorous poetic form of 5 lines in a verse with
a set syllable and rhyme scheme.
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Limerick
The Castle Its the fabulous castle of Now. You
can walk in and wander about, But its so very
thin, Once you are, then youve been And soon as
youre in, youre out.
From Falling Up by Shel Silverstein, pg 171.
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Free Verse
Poetry with no set rhyme or rhythm.
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Free Verse
From Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel
Silverstein, pg 107.
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Epitaph
A poem often used on a gravestone.
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Epitaph
Put Something In Draw a crazy picture, Write a
nutty poem, Sing a mumble-gumble song, Whistle
through your comb. Do a loony-goony dance Cross
the kitchen floor, Put something silly in the
world That aint been there before.
From A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein,
pg 22.
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An Introduction to
Poetry
with
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