Teacher Notes

Forms of Poetry - Introduction• Throughout history, poets have written poetry in many

different forms. Some of these forms are known as ‘fixed verse’ while others are known as ‘free verse’.

• Fixed verse forms have a distinct structure. They may also have a distinct rhythm and rhyming pattern. When writing a poem in a fixed form, you must follow the pre-established rules for that particular type of poetry.

• Let’s now examine some of the most common and well-known forms of poetry, as well as some of the guidelines to follow when writing each form.

AcrosticPurpose

Acrostic poems describe a particular topic.

StructureAcrostic poems contain a topic word, written vertically down the page. Each letter of the word begins a new description.

Rhyming PatternAcrostic poems do not usually rhyme.

Acrostic – The WitchWhizzing through the night skyIn and out, she weaves through the cloudsTightly grasping her broomstickCasting her mystical spells Hiding in darkness

Acrostic – Analysis

Whizzing through the night skyIn and out, she weaves through the cloudsTightly grasping her broomstickCasting her mystical spells Hiding in darknessTopic

Descriptions

KenningsPurpose

Kennings poems describe a particular topic.

StructureKennings poems can have several verses. Each verse usually

has three lines which contain two words describing the topic.

Rhyming PatternKennings poems do not usually rhyme.

Kennings – The SpiderWeb-makerInsect-stalkerCreepy-crawler

Hairy-hiderSkilful-climberFear-inducer

Kennings – AnalysisWeb-makerInsect-stalkerCreepy-crawler

Hairy-hiderSkilful-climberFear-inducer

Verses with three lines each

Two descriptive words per line

HaikuPurpose

Haiku poems describe a particular topic.

StructureHaiku poems have three lines. The first and third lines have five

syllables and the second line has seven syllables.

Rhyming PatternHaiku poems do not usually rhyme.

Haiku – The RosePetals red as blood

Fragrant perfume fills the airA delicate rose

Haiku – AnalysisPetals red as blood

Fragrant perfume fills the airA delicate rose

seven syllables

five syllables

five syllables

CinquainPurpose

Cinquain poems describe a particular topic.

StructureCinquain poems have five lines. Each line uses descriptive

words and phrases to create images of the topic.

Rhyming PatternCinquain poems do not usually rhyme.

Cinquain - SnowflakesSnowflakes

Graceful, intricateFloating, dancing, falling

Perfect in their uniquenessFlawless

Cinquain – Analysis

SnowflakesGraceful, intricate

Floating, dancing, fallingPerfect in their uniqueness

Flawless

Title

Two descriptive words

Three action words

A feeling about the title

A synonym for the title

Shape PoemsPurpose

Shape poems describe a particular object.

StructureShape poems are written in the shape of the object they

describe. They have no other formal structure.

Rhyming PatternShape poems do not usually rhyme.

Shape Poem - RaindropsA

raindropslips down

my silent face.It falls so gentlyoff my cheek.

Now gone.

Shape Poem – AnalysisA

raindropslips down

my silent face.It falls so gentlyoff my cheek.

Now gone.

Written to create the shape of a raindrop

OdePurpose

Odes express thoughts and feelings about a person or object.

StructureOdes can have several lines, or several verses. Imagery, such as

simile, metaphor and personification, is usually included.

Rhyming PatternTraditional odes have a distinct rhythm and rhyming pattern;

yet modern odes do not tend to follow these rules.

Ode – To ChocolateOh, chocolate!You are the sweetest of all treats,Texture as soft and smooth as silk,A ball of happiness on my tongue.My heart smiles with every taste,Feeding and warming my soul,Oh, how I adore you!

Ode – AnalysisOh, chocolate!You are the sweetest of all treats,Texture as soft and smooth as silk,A ball of happiness on my tongue.My heart smiles with every taste,Feeding and warming my soul,Oh, how I adore you!

simile

metaphor

personification

LimerickPurpose

Limericks are nonsense poems, meant to make people laugh.

StructureLimericks have five lines. The first, second and fifth lines have the same number of syllables, as do the third and fourth lines.

Rhyming PatternLimericks have rhythm, created by the number of syllables in

each line. They also follow an aabba rhyming pattern.

Limerick – The Old Lady From Rome

There was an old lady from Rome,Who never could find her way home.She would walk down the street,Getting very sore feet,That silly old lady from Rome!

Limerick – Analysis

There was an old lady from Rome,Who never could find her way home.She would walk down the street,Getting very sore feet,That silly old lady from Rome!

The situation

The character

Plot development

Summary

BalladPurpose

Ballads are narrative poems, intended to tell a story.

StructureBallads can have several verses. Each verse has four lines.

Sometimes, verses may be repeated throughout the poem.

Rhyming PatternBallads have rhythm, created by the number of syllables in

each line. They usually follow an abcb rhyming pattern.

Ballad – The ParkI went for a walk to the park one day, And what do you think I found? A busy bee stuck up in a tree, And a bee hive down on the ground!

I bravely walked up to that bee hive, And what do you think I did? I poked that hive and it came alive, So I ran away and I hid!

Ballad – Analysis

Verses with four lines in each

I went for a walk to the park one day, And what do you think I found? A busy bee stuck up in a tree, And a bee hive down on the ground!

I bravely walked up to that bee hive, And what do you think I did? I poked that hive and it came alive, So I ran away and I hid!