Transcript Poetry Review

Poetry Review
USE THE FOLLOWING SKILLS AS YOU WORK ON YOUR FINAL DRAFT
LINE BREAKS, STANZA BREAKS,
PUNCTUATION

Poetry is written to be spoken. Break lines to emphasize breaths,
pauses, or silence. Break lines after a powerful word, likely nouns,
verbs, or adjectives.
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When revising use the mark // between words to show a new line
break.
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Stanzas are similar to paragraphs. Use them to hold similar ideas
together, but don’t be afraid to play around with it either.
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When revising use the mark ===== between lines to show a stanza
break.
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Punctuate and capitalize poems as if they’re prose, but don’t be
afraid to experiment with caps or punctuation.
REPETITION
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Ineffective repetition: a word repeated in too close proximity or with
no purpose.
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Effective repetition: stresses a word, phrase, idea, or theme that is
significant
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Used to move a poem forward, build momentum, or create a beat.
CUT TO THE BONE
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When the poet can’t find another word to cut, a poem is done.
Weigh every line and word: Does it do anything for your poem?
Does a smart reader need it? Do you say everything you need to
say without distracting a reader?
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“Poetry is especially an art of compression”
-Robert Wallace
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The verb compress means to force something into less space. When
you compress words you make sure every single one is loaded with
meaning and necessary to the poem.
END WITH UMPH
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Conclude with purpose: The conclusion is the most important part of
the poem. It needs to stick with they reader after they have finished
the poem.
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It should leave the reader with:

a feeling
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an idea
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an image
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a question
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an understanding
GOT IT? OKAY, NOW . . .
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Make sure you have a title. Does the title connect with something in
your poem? Will a smart reader get it?
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Can you explain in a sentence what a smart reader should get from
your poem?

What in your poem is worth connecting with? How can a reader
who hasn’t lived your life empathize (understand) life from your
point of view?
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Read your poem aloud, how does it sound?
FINAL COPY

Due April 22/23 or anytime before then

Must be typed and in a simple font: Times New Roman, Calibri,
cambria, 10-12 pt.
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Single spaced
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The best work you can do, shows good faith effort.