The tools of the trade

The tools of the tradeA review session on literary terms and techniques

1Review of literary terminologyMusic, books and many different art forms have a variety of classifications called genres.In our class we read texts from several different genres includingPoetryDramaProse fiction

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Focus on PoetryFor todays session we are going to focus on reviewing Poetry.By the end of this review session you should understandThe definition of poetryHow Poetry can provoke emotionsHow figurative language, imagery, repetition, rhyme and rhythm function as tools in poetry.3PoetryPoetry is an imaginative awareness of experience expressed through meaning, sound, and rhythmic language choices so as to evoke an emotional response.

4So you see that authors use tools called: Poetic devicesA poet tries to emphasize ideas or provoke emotions by using certain devices, like the ones you heard in the Hughes poem.Here are some frequently used devicesFigurative languageImageryRepetition

5Figurative Languagefollow the links to review the definition.Figurative language is a word or phrase that departs from everyday literal language for the sake of comparison, emphasis, clarity, or freshness. Metaphor and simile are the two most commonly used figures of speech, but things like hyperbole, synecdoche, puns, and personification are also figures of speech.

6Word ArtPoets use imagery to paint word pictures, follow the link to hear an example.

7What do you think?Which words from the poem are an example of imagery?appeared like a ghost from the southThrough the thick grey Nova Scotia mist

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Why do poets use imagery (click on the correct response)?Paint a picture in the readers mindTo sound more sophisticated

9Repetition in poetry follow the links to see examplesRepetition follow this link and listen to the stream (takes 5 minutes).Think about how you use repetition in everyday life and in poetry.

10What do you think?How is repetition used in the poem you heard? Only sounds are repeatedBoth words and sounds are repeated

11You are doing a great job!Now lets take a look at a poet weve already studied in classLangston Hughes.

12PoetryI've known rivers:I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than theflow of human blood in human veins.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V425SdNWIJU&feature=related

Follow the link view a Langston Hughes poem.

13Response to Negro Speaks of RiversThink about the emotions that this poem provoked.What words or images sparked those feelings?The riverThe repetition

14The Negro Speaks of Rivers read the poem again and try to identify the symbols and imageryI've known rivers:I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than theflow of human blood in human veins.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young.I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it.I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln went down to New Orleans, and I've seen its muddy bosom turn all golden in the sunset.

I've known rivers:Ancient, dusky rivers.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

Langston Hughes

15Now, Lets test your knowledge!Question 1Study the line from the poem and choose the best answer below. I've known rivers: I've known rivers ancient as the worldRhymeRepetition

16Questions 2Study this line from the poem and choose the best answer below. I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins. SimileMetaphor

17Question 3Study the lines from the poem and choose the best answer below. I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln went down to New Orleans, and I've seen its muddy bosom turn all golden in the sunset.Personificationhyperbole

18Bonus Question 1When Abe Lincoln went down to New Orleans is an example of anAllusionIllusion

19Bonus question 2 In this poem, the river is best described asA symbolHyperbole

20Congratulations!You are now ready to use the tools of the trade yourself. For your homework assignment write your own poem utilizing all off the poetic devices you have learned in this review.Write your poem now and share it through Google docs

21Correct!

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