Poetry and Poetic Devices

If the periodic table is what makes up everything in the physical realm, and if archetypes are the periodic table of literature, then poetic devices are the periodic table of poetry. Visit this link often--you will be tested on these terms, expected to be able to identify them when you see them, and be able to incorporate them into your own poetry. Feel free to print up a copy for you learning convenience.

ACTIVITIES: The goal of these activities is for you to learn about, learn to appreciate, and learn to love the power of "atomic words," poetry. Click on each link to open into a world where you will read, respond to, and create words fraught with power.

Activity 1: Short, Powerful Poetry

This is an assignment that asks you to interact with short but good poems by two superlative poets: William Carlos Williams and Chicago's own Gwendolyn Brooks..

Activity 2: Making Poetry in the News

For the journalist in you, this is an assignment where you have a chance to spice up a news story with poetic devices.

Activity 3: Responding to Art with Poetry

For the artist in you, this is an assignment where you have a chance to choose a work of art and create a poem about the artwork.

Activity 4: Love Poems by the Masters For the romantic in you, this is an assignment where you have the chance to learn from the masters (Bill, Liz, and Walt) what fine love poetry is. You can also get to it by clicking on the king of love poetry, Jimmy "Cupid" Tompkins.

Activity 5: The Poetry of Rock and Rap

For the music lover in you, this is an assignment where you have the chance to find poetry put to music and to explain its meaning.

Activity 6: Writing Your Own Narrative Poem For the original thinker in you, create your own poem from your own personal experience.

 

page last update 10/11/05 by  Dan Tompkins Communication Arts teacher          Naperville Central High School

email comments or questions to dtompkins@naperville203.org

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