How to Express Yourself

Like a Poet

Define Poetry.

“Poetry is the rhythmical creation of beauty.”

~ Edgar Allen Poe

Define Poetry.

“Poetry is the record of the best and happiest moments of the happiest and best minds.”

~ Percy Bysshe Shelley

Define Poetry.

“Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning in hell,

poetry is just the ash.”

~ Leonard Cohen

Define Poetry.

“Poetry is the revelation of a feeling that the poet believes to be interior and personal

which the reader recognizes as his own.”

~ Aristotle

Define Poetry.

“I have never started a poem yet whose end I knew. Writing a poem is discovering.”

~ Robert Frost

Define Poetry.

“A poem is never finished, only abandoned.”

~ Robert Browning

What can I write about?

“help i’ve just been run over by a bus” - Gwen Hauser

“On the Ning Nang Nong” - Spike Milligan

“All That is Gold Does Not Glitter” - John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

“Be Glad Your Nose is on Your Face” - Jack Prelutsky

“Forgetfulness” - Billy Collins

“The Pig” - Roald Dahl

Write about something you know well.

first-hand

or

nearby to observe

Be willing to show your perspective.

Hints to write by...

1. Don’t state the obvious.

The grass is green.

Hints to write by...

2. Don’t force originality.

Simply focus on the real details that make it unique.

Hints to write by...

3. Choose the right words.

Glow vs. Glitter

He ‘looked’ at her.Or did he ‘gaze’ or ‘glare’ or ‘gape’?

Poetry Technique #1:Playing with Favourites

Think of a favourite character from a novel.

List three adjectives that describe what he/she appears to be on the outside.

Think of one adjective that describes what he/she is like on the inside.

Compare this character to an object that shares one of the above traits.

Jot down one line describing your favourite moment involving that character in the novel.

What is something you can imagine him/her doing in real life?

What is something your character likes to say?

Hermione Granger

Brainy, bold, brazenGenuine

A girl scout pledge.Proud to be a mudblood.

I could see you finding a cure for cancer.Wing-gar-dium Levi-o-sa!

Poetry Technique #2:Expressing the Invisible

How do you carefully observe a feeling

or an abstract concept?

1. Observe.

2. Be specific.

Metaphor Poem

1. Concept (Fear, Freedom, Fury, Love, Pain, Joy, Hate, etc.)

2. Three moments/situations that represent this concept to you.

(Be descriptive!)

ExcitementA jumpy puppy when it’s let out of its cage.

A hockey player who scored the overtime goal.The day you turn 16.

3. Three things/objects that embody this concept’s characteristics.

Excitement a jack-in-the-box, a rollercoaster ride, ants in your pants

4. A verb that links to your concept.

Excitement surprise, thrill, etc.

Excitement

I am a jumpy puppy when it’s let out of its cage.I am a hockey player who scored the overtime goal.I am the day you turn 16.I am a a jack-in-the-box, A rollercoaster ride, Ants in your pants.I am excitement.Surprise me.

To take away with you...

Experiment like crazy!

Walking away is okay! (Just come back again!)

Edit! Edit! Edit!