An Ode to PoetryA deeper look at Ballads and Odes

Bell Ringer: Read the following poem. In your binder, write a few

sentences saying what you think the poem is talking about. “Eldorado” by Edgar Allan Poe

Gaily bedight,A gallant knight,

In sunshine and in shadow,Had journeyed long,

Singing a song,In search of Eldorado.

But he grew old-This knight so bold-

And o'er his heart a shadowFell as he found

No spot of groundThat looked like Eldorado.

And, as his strengthFailed him at length,

He met a pilgrim shadow-"Shadow," said he,"Where can it be-

This land of Eldorado?"

"Over the MountainsOf the Moon,

Down the Valley of the Shadow,Ride, boldly ride,“The shade replied-

"If you seek for Eldorado!"

Open DiscussionWhat were some parts of the poem that

caught your attention? Are these just random thoughts or is there a

story being told?Do you think there is an actual “Eldorado” or

is it more of a figurative representation? Support your answer.

Why are we looking at this poem so closely?We are moving into a new skill for the next few weeks!

Figured it out yet? What will we be learning?

That’s right…

POETRYNow poetry comes in all forms. We will take some time looking at all the

different types of poetry. Take GOOD notes! They will help you in the future!

BalladsA ballad is a narrative poem written in a

rhythmic verse that may be sung. Ballads tell a story, often one that is dramatic or emotional. Ballads were often used to spread the news, provide entertainment, or create a “bigger than life” story.

Ballads are often written in quatrains (4 lines of poetry that form a unit) that have alternating rhymes and patterns of stressed syllables.

BalladsBallad Writing Tips

often have verses of four lines usually have a rhyming pattern: either  abac   or aabb or  acbc

(usually the easiest to rhyme) repetition often found in ballads

entire stanzas can be repeated like a song's chorus Lines can be repeated but each time a certain word is changed a question and answer format can be built into a ballad: one stanza

asks a questions and the next stanza answers the question Ballads contain a lot of dialogue.  Action is often described in the first person Two characters in the ballad can speak to each other on

alternating lines Sequences of "threes" often occur: three kisses, three tasks,

three events, for example

BalladsHere is an example of a famous ballad: This is about the outlaw Jesse James. No one

knows who originally wrote this, because it was passed down as a song for many years before being written down. Since then, many famous singers like Van Morrison have sung variations of this ballad. Try reading this in your head as we listen to it, and notice the patterns of rhyme and stressed patterns.

BalladsOther examples of Ballads in pop culture:

Ballads

Review: BalladsMain Characteristics?

Tells a story, event, news in an entertaining/captivating way

Written in a rhythmic pattern that can be sungOften in verses of four linesDialogue is abundant, and action is usually in

first person (the person writing it is there, involved).

OdesWhat is an Ode? (No, not slang for odor)

An ode is a lyric poem with a complicated structure that praises a person or marks an important event. Odes are generally meant to be performed with music.

Pindar was an ancient Greek who wrote great odes. Some of them were about the Olympic games. More recently Chilean poet Pablo Neruda wrote odes to a variety of topics.

OdesLet’s take a look at an example of an Ode.The poem below appeared in the book The

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.Ode to Stephen Dowling Bots

by Mark Twain

OdesOk, now let’s see an Ode in action!

OdesSweet, huh?

Want MORE??

You got it!

Ode To Garbage Manby Lemon Squeezy

My garbage man, he is the best,I favor him above the rest.

What would we all do without him,I do believe his name is Tim.

Tim is such a great, grand fellow, He takes all our junk, and rotten Jello.

He clears the land of all the trash,And doesn't stop for new year's bash.

He doesn't break on Christmas day,Nope, with his garbage truck he'll stay.Through the thick and through the thin,

Tim will carry out our bins.

So when you see the garbage man,Weather He be Tim or Stan,

When you give him your garbage can,You go out shake his hand.

He deserves Our full attention,Not to mention a good size pension.

Well garbage men I thank you, For serving me and America too.

Loveable Pizza by Jonathan M.

O beautiful pizza, I love yourgreasy top and your cheese too.How do you do it, to be so joyful

and good as well as bad? Your toppingpepperoni also is a good friend to

you. You and it make a goodcouple. Without you, I would die.

How did they create you, wonderfulthing? When I bite into you, you make

me feel warm and at home. Butwhen I finish you I feel sad like

I murdered you.

What even MORE Odes?Check these sites out:

http://www.poetrycenter.org/?q=node/949http://forums.familyfriendpoems.com/topic.as

p?TOPIC_ID=17040http://poetry-verses.blogspot.com/2008/12/po

etry-examples-of-odes.htmlhttp://www.netpoets.com/poems/humor/0041

023.htmhttp://www.funnypoets.com/poetry/odetoatur

key.htm

Review: OdesMain Characteristics?

Lyrical poem written to praise someone or something (usually of importance)

Meant to be read with music

Odes: Now it’s YOUR turn!

Copy the following Graphic Organizer for writing an Ode. Your mission: complete the Graphic Organizer

for homework tonight, and use this organizer to write an Ode. These Odes will be due NO LATER than Friday, 1/6. Bonus will be offered for those who wish to share theirs aloud, and quality counts! (No copying off the internet. I will scan them into

the computer and check. Thought I’d save you the trouble by telling you this now. )

An Ode to an Ode…

To quote a famous poet…

Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow,

That I shall say good night till it be morrow.

Romeo And Juliet Act 2, scene 2, 176–185William Shakespeare

Don’t forget your homework!!!