This document provides an introduction to poetry, including definitions of poetry, how it can be expressed, common topics, and why understanding how to read poetry is important. It encourages thinking about why an author chose poetry over other forms. It also details several literary devices like figurative language, punctuation, stanzas, and word choice that help analyze meaning in poetry. Finally, it notes poetry interpretation can be personal and vary between individuals.

1. Introduction to
Poetry
3/11/15

2. DIRECTIONS
1) Take a folder off the table.
2) Use a dark marker or sharpie to write your
name CLEARLY and large enough to read on
the front cover.
3) Take out a piece of paper and write a
couple of sentences answering this
question: What is poetry?

3. Take a moment to
think to yourself…
Then turn to your table
and share your ideas.

4. "Roar" by: Katy Perry
– http://youtu.be/9dgng_ekbV0
– Could this be considered poetry? Why or
why not?
– What was the author trying to say?

5. How can poetry be expressed?
– Written (most common)
– Music
– Acting (with or without words)
– Oral speaking (with emotion)

6. Topics of poetry
– Emotions (happy, sad, scared..)
– Mood
– Stories
– Informative / Informational
– Thoughts

7. Why is it important to know how to
read poetry?
– Someone took the time to pick specific words and a
specific style of writing to help express their
thoughts in a certain way.
– Why didn't they write a book, song, movie script,
short story, etc.?
– If you don't know things to look for, you could miss
key or important details.

8. How do you read poetry? Things to look
for…
Figurative language
• Metaphor
• Simile
• Hyperbole
• Alliteration
• Personification
• Onomatopoeia
• Analogy
• Euphemism
• Idiom
• Pun
Punctuation
• Signs to slow down or speed up)
• Period, comma, question mark,
exclamation mark, colon, semi-
colon, long dash, quotation
marks
Stanzas
Rhyme patterns
Rhythm and meter
Repetition
Word choice

9. Type of
Figurative
Language
Meaning
Metaphor
A comparison not
using like or as
Simile
A comparison using
like or as
Personification
Human qualities are
given to an object,
animal, or idea.
Alliteration
Repetition of
sounds/letters at
the beginning of a
word
Hyperbole
An over
exaggeration
Language
Onomatopoeia
Words where the
sound suggests
their meaning
Pun
A play on words
(silly)
Idiom
The figurative
meaning of the
connotation of a
word (not literal
meaning). Play on
words, more
serious
Analogy
A comparison of
two things
Euphemism
An indirect or
polite word
substituted for one
considered too
harsh or blunt

10. Punctuation Mark What it looks like What it makes you do
Period . Stop for end of thought
Comma ,
Pause in the middle of a
thought
Exclamation mark ! Stop a thought with excitement
Question mark ? Stop a thought with curiosity
Quotation mark "
Nothing, simply someone
talking
Long dash --
Pause a little longer in the
middle of a thought
Colon :
Pause, for a list or answer to a
question
Semi colon ;
Pause, for a thought that is
related to what was said before
(however...)

11. Personal
– Poetry is very personalized
– Meaning varies from one person to the next
– What they find interesting
– Values
– Background knowledge
– Tools used to analyze

12. 1) Read poem out loud together.
2) Re-read the Poem to yourself quietly
3) Take a moment to free write what this poem
means to you.
 Why?
 What do you take away from it?
4) What is it about?
 Why do you think that?
 Did you use any tools (figurative language,
punctuation, word choice) to help you decide
that?