Poetry Portfolio
I am Poem
An "I AM" Poem describes a character or self, however it does not use or reveal the name of that character. Each stanza in the poem restates the first line. There should be specific use of examples/actions to describe character or self.
I am (description of character NOT name) I wonder…(something of curiosity) I hear… (an imaginary sound) I see… (an imaginary sight) I am (the first line of the poem repeated) I pretend… (something you actually pretend to do) I feel… (emotional feeling) I touch… (an imaginary touch) I worry… (something that bothers you) I cry… (something that makes you sad) I am (the first line of the poem repeated) I understand… (something that is true) I say… (something that you believe in) I dream… (something you dream about) I try… (something you really make an effort about) I hope… (something you actually hope for) I am (the first line of the poem repeated) |
Example
I am sharp and focused I wonder what the camera really sees I hear the buzzing bee I see flowers in early morning light I want to stop time in a box I am sharp and focused I pretend to be a statue I feel the shakes inside I touch the shutter button I worry about the blurry result I cry that the moment has forever passed I am sharp and focused I understand moments in time I say let's freeze them forever I dream of watercolor effects coming to life I try to see all the soft muted edges I hope it happens someday I am sharp and focused |
Tanka Poem
5 lines—about something in nature (like a Haiku)
–5 syllables –7 syllables –5 syllables –7 syllables –7syllables Does not rhyme Beginning words/syllables are different for each line Mostly active verb choices |
Example
Beautiful mountains Rivers with cold, cold water. White cold snow on rocks Trees over the place with frost White sparkly snow everywhere. |
Five Sense Poem
Addresses all 5 senses
–Taste, sight, touch, smell, sound Uses similes and metaphors Plenty of modifiers (adjective and adverbs) Shows, doesn’t tell |
Example
Summer is the yellow vibrant sun sending its rays upon the Earth. Tasting like a freshly squeezed, ice cold glass of lemonade. Sounding like jubilant children splashing in the pool While the aroma of dandelions sweep across the fields. Warmth provides the relaxing carefree comfort as it reaches your skin. |
Clue Poem
5 line poem
First 4 lines list clues about the subject The last line names the subject of the poem Line one: noun about subject Line two: adjective and noun Line three: two action verbs Line four: descriptive phrase or sentence Line five: the answer |
Example
Pasta Italian delight Spinning and Slurping Don't forget the parmesan cheese. Spaghetti |
Two Voice Poem
One idea, theme, or situation
Presented with opposing views Each voice in its own column, spoken separately, and in turn Minimum 8 individual lines, and 4 lines said together Descriptions |
Example
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Newspaper Blackout Poem
Blackout poetry focuses on rearranging words to create a different meaning. Also known as newspaper blackout poetry, the author uses a permanent marker to cross out or eliminate whatever words or images he sees as unnecessary or irrelevant to the effect he's seeking to create. The central idea is to devise a completely new text from previously published words and images, which the reader is free to interpret as he wishes.
Poem must be 20-30 words
Examples
Poem must be 20-30 words
Examples
Free Verse Poem
Does not have a set pattern, but usually has a rhythm
Uses words and phrases to tell about a feeling or idea Relies heavily on word choices (modifiers and active voice) to paint a picture in the reader’s head |
Example
After the Sea-Ship by Walt Whitman After the Sea-Ship—after the whistling winds; After the white-gray sails, taut to their spars and ropes, Below, a myriad, myriad waves, hastening, lifting up their necks, Tending in ceaseless flow toward the track of the ship: Waves of the ocean, bubbling and gurgling, blithely prying, Waves, undulating waves—liquid, uneven, emulous waves, Toward that whirling current, laughing and buoyant, with curves, Where the great Vessel, sailing and tacking, displaced the surface. |
Poetic Devices
Rhyme - Repeating sounds at the end of words.
Pool, rule, fool
Rhythm - Beat created by pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables.
The cat sat on the mat. Jack and jill went up the hill.
Repetition - Use of any part of language (sound, word, and so on) more than one time.
Of the people, by the people, for the people.
Onomatopeia - Use of words that imitate sounds
Crash, bang, hiss, splat, roar, buzz, whoosh.
Alliteration - Repeating consonant sounds in the beginning of words.
Big, bad wolf; Lovely, lonely nights.
Similes - Comparing two unlike things using like or as.
The train was as quiet as a cloud floating by.
Metaphors - Comparing two unlike things by stating that one thing is another.
Fame is a bee.
Personification - Comparing an object or animal to a human by giving the object or animal human characteristics.
The raindrops ran down the window pane.
Assonance - The repetition of vowel sounds; found in beginning middle or end.
Waves and spray; forgot and pot.
Consonance - The repetition of consonant sounds; found in beginning, middle, or end.
Loss and gossip; hello and shell.
Pool, rule, fool
Rhythm - Beat created by pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables.
The cat sat on the mat. Jack and jill went up the hill.
Repetition - Use of any part of language (sound, word, and so on) more than one time.
Of the people, by the people, for the people.
Onomatopeia - Use of words that imitate sounds
Crash, bang, hiss, splat, roar, buzz, whoosh.
Alliteration - Repeating consonant sounds in the beginning of words.
Big, bad wolf; Lovely, lonely nights.
Similes - Comparing two unlike things using like or as.
The train was as quiet as a cloud floating by.
Metaphors - Comparing two unlike things by stating that one thing is another.
Fame is a bee.
Personification - Comparing an object or animal to a human by giving the object or animal human characteristics.
The raindrops ran down the window pane.
Assonance - The repetition of vowel sounds; found in beginning middle or end.
Waves and spray; forgot and pot.
Consonance - The repetition of consonant sounds; found in beginning, middle, or end.
Loss and gossip; hello and shell.