Free Verse

“I Hear America Singing” – Walt Whitman“I, Too” – Langston Hughes

Page 671 - 672

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Learning Target

1. Analyze characteristics of different forms of poetry (ex. Narrative, Ballad, Lyric, Elegy, and Free Verse)

2. Analyze how meaning is conveyed in poetry through word choices, allusion, poetic devices (rhyme, rhythm, repetition, refrain) and figurative language.

3. TSWBAT analyze two poems by looking for the elements of poetry.

• Type of Poem: Free Verse• Does not follow a rhyme scheme or meter.

• Use poetic elements to create a sense of balance.

• Walt Whitman was the first to use free verse – it was controversial.

• Many people today write in free verse.

After we read together, with your neighbor discuss the following and record in your notes:

• “I Hear America Singing” Page 671• Find two poetic elements (look in your notes!) that Whitman uses to create balance and measure in the poem. Define them and give examples where they’re used.

• What is this poem about?

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• Open up these notes in Keynote

• Follow along

Answer the following questions in your notes for “I, Too” by Langston Hughes page 672 –Analyze the diction of“I, Too”: what do you think the strongest words are?

1. “I, Too” was written in response to“I Hear America Singing.” What is Hughe’s purpose in writing the poem?

2. Pick a poetic element in “I, Too.” Define it, give an example of where it’s used.

3. Pick a poetic element in “I, Too.” Define it, give an example of where it’s used.

Fame is a bee. (1788)

By Emily Dickinson

Fame is a bee.

It has a song—

It has a sting—

Ah, too, it has a wing.

1. What is this poem about? (I’ll give you a hint. It isn’t pictured here.)

2. Define metaphor. What two things are being compared?

3. What is being personified in this poem?

4. What is the author’s message in this poem?