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Treat this is a super basic crash course of poetry elements.

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The Structure of Poetry

We've mentioned already that though poetry's origins lie in the spoken word, it does take a very recognizable shape when put down on the page. This is largely due to the overall organization of the lines on the page, often in the form of stanzas.

The Stanza

Though some modern forms of poetry eschew traditional poetic conventions such as rhyme schemes and meter etc, the stanza still plays an important role in the overall look of printed poetry.

But, just what exactly is a stanza? - your students may well ask.

Stanzas are basically the poetic equivalent of a prose paragraph. They are a series of lines that are grouped together and separated from other groups of lines or stanzas by a skipped line.

Stanzas come in a variety of lengths, dependent either on the whim of the poet or the conventions of a particular poetic form. There is a variety of technical vocabulary often used to refer to stanzas of specific lengths. Here are the most common of these,

Stanzas of:

● 2 lines are called a couplet

● 3 lines are called a tercet

● 4 lines are called a quatrain

● 5 lines are called a cinquain

● 6 lines are called a sestet, or occasionally a sexain

● 7 lines are called a septet

● 8 lines are called an octave

Poem Structures: Types of Poetry and Their Characteristics

There are many different types of poetry, some of which we will look at below. But, regardless of the specific type of poetry in question, most likely a poem will fit into one of these three overarching types of poetry: lyric, narrative, and descriptive.
Lyric Poetry
Lyric poetry concerns itself largely with the emotional life of the poet, that is, it's written in their voice and expresses strong thoughts and emotions. There is only one voice in a lyric poem and we see the world from that single perspective. Most modern poetry is lyric poetry in that it is personal and introspective.
Narrative Poetry
As its name implies, narrative poetry is concerned with storytelling. Just as in a prose story, a narrative poem will most likely follow the conventions of plot including elements such as conflict, rising action, climax, resolution etc. Again, as in prose stories, narrative poems will most likely be peopled with characters to perform the actions of the tale.
Descriptive Poetry
Descriptive poetry usually employs lots of rich imagery to describe the world around the poet. While it most often has a single poetic voice and a strong emotional content, descriptive poetry differs from lyric poetry in that its focus is more on the externalities of the world, rather than the interior life of the poet.

We have mentioned that poetry often hangs on the conventions of specific underlying structures. Let's now take a look at some of the more common of these subtypes and their defining characteristics.

Subtypes of Poetry
Sonnet
Sonnets are predominantly concerned with matters of the heart. If you see a sonnet's recognisably blocky form on a page, there's a good chance the theme will be love. There are two common forms of sonnet: Shakespearean and Petrarchan. They differ slightly in their internal structure, but both have 14 lines. Let's take look at some more of the internal characteristics of both forms:

● Comprises 2 stanzas

● First 8 lines pose a question

● 2nd stanza answers the question posed

● Rhyme scheme is: ABBA, ABBA, CDECDE

● Comprises 3 quatrains of 4 lines each

● Ends with a rhyming couplet which forms a conclusion

● Rhyme scheme is: ABAB, CDCD, EFEF, GG
Haiku
The Haiku is a disciplined form of poetry that has its origins in 17th century Japanese poetry. Usually it is concerned with nature and natural phenomenon such as the seasons, weather etc. They are often quite meditative in tone.

However, there are no real rules regarding themes, the only real demands here relate to structure:

● They are written in three line stanzas

● 1st line contains 5 syllables

● 2nd line contains 7 syllables

● 3rd line contains 5 syllables

Due to their short length and limited requirements, these are usually a lot of fun for students to write. They can serve as a great introduction for students to attempt to write poetry according to specific technical requirements of a form.
Elegy
Elegies are a type of poem that don't really come with specific structural requirements, but still constitute a recognisable form of poetry. What makes an elegy an elegy is its subject, that is, death. Elegies are poems of lamentation - the word elegy itself comes from the Greek word elegeia which means to 'lament'.

● A poem of reflection on death, or on someone who has died

● Usually comes in three parts expressing loss:

○ grief

○ praise for the deceased

○ and, finally, consolation.
Limerick
Favorites of school children everywhere, the most defining characteristic of limericks are their renowned humor. Given their well-deserved reputation for being funny and, on occasion, crude, it's easy to overlook the fact that beneath the laughs lie quite a tightly structured verse form.

● 5 lines in total

● Distinct verbal rhythm

● 2 longer lines of usually between 7 to 10 syllables

● 2 shorter lines of usually between 5 to 7 syllables

● 1 closing line containing the 'punchline'

● Rhyme scheme is AABBA
Ballad
Ballads are a type of narrative poetry that has close ties to musical forms. Ballads written as poetry can often easily be adapted as song lyrics. While ballads don't have tight formal constrictions like some other forms of poetry, there are enough in the way of distinguishable features to identify it as a form.

● Tells a story, often using simple language

● Often romantic, adventurous, or humorous

● Arranged in groups of 4 lines or quatrains

● Often uses alternating 4 and 3 beat lines

● Rhyme scheme is usually ABAB or ABCB
Ode
Another poetry form that traces its origins to Ancient Greece, odes were originally intended to be sung. Nowadays, though no longer sung, the term ode still refers to a type of lyrical poem that addresses and often praises a certain person, thing, or event.

● The author addresses a person, thing, or event

● Usually has a solemn, serious tone

● Explores universal elements of the theme

● Powerful emotional element, often involving catharsis

Odes written in the classical vein can follow very strict metrical patterns and rhyme schemes, however, many modern odes are written in free verse involving irregular rhythm and without adherence to a rhyme scheme.
Epic
These are long narrative poems that recount heroic tales, usually focused on a legendary or mythical figure. Think of works of literature on a grand scale such as The Odyssey, The Cattle Raid of Cooley, or Beowulf.

● Employs an objective and omniscient narrator

● Written in an elevated style

● Recounts heroic events

● Grand in scale

Poetic Devices

Though we refer to these devices here as 'poetic devices', the devices below are not the exclusive domain of poetry alone. Many of these are to be found in other writing genres too, particularly other creative forms such as short stories, novels, and creative nonfiction.

Many of these devices have their origins in poetry's roots as a spoken literary form. They rely on the musicality of words; their rhythm and rhyme. They focus on various sound effects that can be created by the carefully chosen word.

Other devices are more concerned with imagery. They forge connections between various ideas and conjure pictures in the minds of the readers. Together, these devices lift poetry into the realm of art.

The following devices are organized into two sections. The first section titled Sound Devices deals with the following devices: alliteration, assonance, consonance, onomatopoeia, rhyme, and rhythm.

The second section Figurative Language deals with metaphor, personification, and simile. These are not meant as an exhaustive list, but to give an indication of the possibilities for these elements of poetry. You can find many more examples of these in our article on figurative language.

Students will benefit from learning the definitions of each of these devices over time. While it is important that they learn to recognize their use in the poetry of others and to learn to appreciate the effects these devices can create, it is equally important that the students get a chance to have a go at creating their own examples of these devices in their own writing.

It is only by trying their hand at employing these devices in their own work that students can really internalize how these devices operate. So, in the section below we'll first look at a working definition of the poetic device, then an example to illustrate it in action, before offering a simple exercise students can undertake to gain more practice with it themselves.

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We've mentioned already that though poetry's origins lie in the spoken word, it does take a very recognizable shape when put down on the page. This is largely due to the overall organization of the lines on the page, often in the form of stanzas.

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Poetry isn't likable for everyone. If you're struggling to analyze one, take deep breaths and give this a read. Collins introduction explains poetry is living & a wonder, which should be treated carefully for both reader and poet's sake. Maybe this will help you.

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Introduction to Poetry by Billy Collins | Poetry Foundation

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Poetry can sometimes be daunting or difficult to decipher. Here's some steps to guide you while reading a poem.

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Step Four: Mood and Tone

After talking about the speaker, it's important to address the attitude or mood the poem is attempting to convey. Some can be brooding or grieving; others may have a song-like cadence and rhyme. Discuss the attitude each speaker or characters give off. Moreover, talk about if there places where the poem's tone may switch and why. This is also a good time to talk syntax and the effect certain words have on us.

Step Five: Paraphrase

Since you discussed figurative language, mood, setting, and speaker-there's no better time than to apply what you've learned line-by-line. Paraphrasing may seem pretty self-explanatory. However, keep in mind this is not about skipping lines or condensing. Instead you should lead students line-by-line and translate figurative language or unclear phrases into simpler terms that will not get in the way of analyzing the poem later on.

Step Six: Theme

Last but not least, it's time to get to the core of what the poem is about by identifying its theme. The theme of a poem relates to a universal truth, issue, or conflict. To determine the theme, look over all of your analysis and connect the dots:

What is the subject?

Who is the speaker?

What situation are they in?

How do they feel about the subject?

What is the mood?

Interested in learning more about Teach For America? Explore what we do, and how to join.

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How to Analyze a Poem in 6 Steps | Teach For America

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After talking about the speaker, it's important to address the attitude or mood the poem is attempting to convey. Some can be brooding or grieving; others may have a song-like cadence and rhyme. Discuss the attitude each speaker or characters give off. Moreover, talk about if there places where the poem's tone may switch and why.

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Famous poetry pieces & examples. If you click the 'learn' tab there will be a glossary option, and other subpages for your designated age group. A great basis and broad website.

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Great speeches usually have catchy introductions. This links has ideas to spruce up the beginning of your speech.

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After hours of preparation, the moment to deliver your speech has arrived. You're standing before the podium, all eyes on you, with confidence that no one could take away. Then you begin...
"Hello, everyone. Thank you for having me. My name is ______ _______, and I am going to be speaking to you today about _______. To begin, _______ is important because..."
Suddenly people begin shifting in their seats, checking their phones, reading the program, talking to one another and doing anything but paying attention to you.

Your opening often determines how long the audience will "tune in" to your presentation. If you bore your audience right from the start, there is little chance that your message will effectively get across.

How do you effectively open a speech or presentation to prevent this from happening? Here are seven effective methods to open a speech or presentation:

1. A pause, whether two seconds or 10 seconds, allows your audience to sit and quiet down. Most audiences expect a speaker to begin immediately. An extra pause brings all the attention right where you should want it - on you.

2. Use a surprising, powerful, personalized statistic that will resonate with the audience to get your message across right away. It has the potential to trigger the audiences' emotional appeal.
"Look to your left. Now look to your right. One of your seatmates will ___________."
"In this room, over 90 percent of us are going to _________."

3. Powerful Statement/Phrase
A statement or phrase can catch the audience's attention by keeping them guessing as to what you're about to say next. Implementing the silence technique afterwards also adds to the effect.
"We can not win. We can't win..."
(Pause)
"... That's what every newspaper in the country is saying."

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7 Memorable Ways to Open a Speech or Presentation | YPO

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We are the global leadership community of extraordinary chief executives - more than 30,000 members from 142 countries. Together we become better leaders and better people. Come lead the new normal with us.

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Yes, Power Points can go wrong, here's a link to a handout aimed to avoid any mishaps.

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This free textbook has numerous chapters all about public speaking. Learn from some experts!

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Introduction to Public Speaking
by Lisa Schreiber and Morgan Hartranft, Millersville University

Speaking with Confidence
by Ron Grapsy, Kutztown University

Copyright ©2011. The Public Speaking Project.
Except where otherwise noted, The Public Speaking Project by Various Authors is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Users are free to copy, distribute and transmit the work for non-commercial purposes, provided The Public Speaking Project and the authors are credited for their work.

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Introduction to Public Speaking by Lisa Schreiber and Morgan Hartranft, Millersville University Speaking with Confidence by Ron Grapsy, Kutztown University Copyright ©2011. The Public Speaking Project. Except where otherwise noted, The Public Speaking Project by Various Authors is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

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Many people get the jitters before public speaking. This link contains tools to ease nerves.

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Fear of public speaking: How can I overcome it?

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Learn tips to become a more-confident public speaker

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If you don't already have a Ted Talk account, it's free, all you need is to sign-up. Search a favorite topic of yours (sports, education, science, etc.) Observe the speakers organization, body movements, pace of the speech, etc. We learn by example in many instances.

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Get a daily email featuring the latest talk, plus a quick mix of trending content.

By subscribing, you understand and agree that we will store, process and manage your personal information according to our Privacy Policy

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TED Talks are influential videos from expert speakers on education, business, science, tech and creativity, with subtitles in 100+ languages. Ideas free to stream and download.

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This website has some amazing strategies for writing successful essays.  From your thesis, counter argument, body paragraphs,  revision process, & so much more. There's lots of components to go into it.

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The links below provide concise advice on some fundamental elements of academic writing.

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A broader resource. You can find ANYTHING in this site. Simply use the little magnify glass search button and type in what help/tips you're looking for.

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Create a FREE account using your school email. Use this tool for brainstorming through a story map your writing project. This can be used for any type of writing style: creative, formal essay, & even for a lay out for a speech.

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There's so many grammar rules that it gets difficult to remember. You can create a free account using this link below to help navigate the grammar questions you have.

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Works Cited and in-text citations can be tricky. Here's a great resource to check when you get to this stage of your writing.

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MLA Formatting and Style Guide - Purdue OWL® - Purdue University

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MLA (Modern Language Association) style is most commonly used to write papers and cite sources within the liberal arts and humanities. This resource, updated to reflect the MLA Handbook (9th ed.), offers examples for the general format of MLA research papers, in-text citations, endnotes/footnotes, and the Works Cited page.

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Google would be useful... but sometimes the definitions we think we get, are actually not the best we can receive. Use this dictionary when reading our texts because it is an irreplaceable part of English Language Arts. You will not only get a definition, but a brief history behind the word and the development/documentation of our changing society.

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Oxford Learner's Dictionaries | Find definitions, translations, and grammar explanations at Oxford Learner's Dictionaries

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The largest and most trusted free online dictionary for learners of British and American English with definitions, pictures, example sentences, synonyms, antonyms, word origins, audio pronunciation, and more. Look up the meanings of words, abbreviations, phrases, and idioms in our free English Dictionary.

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Click 'learner' and follow steps to create a free account. This is a great prepping tool for standardized testing.

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Sign up using this link below for your own Goodreads account. We'll use this for each novel we read in class & I'll expect at least a 500 word count review for each one.  Use it to track independent readings also. Post the link to your Goodreads account once in the comments section.

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Sign up to see what your friends are reading, get book recommendations, and join the world's largest community of readers.

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Did you just read one of our texts and think "so what?" Click this link below if you have NO IDEA what to do with it. We've all been there.

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Part 1: How to Analyse Your English Texts for Evidence (Free Textual Analysis Planner) | 2022 update

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Do you struggle with textual analysis? Read this updated 2022 guide to learn how to properly analyse your texts for HSC English!