Poetry is a Vacation ...

from too many words!

Form: Acrostic

Lyric and/or NarrativeLyrical-- may not tell a story;

personal; addresses the reader about thoughts, ideas, and feelings.

Narrative --letters are used to start each line of a story!

Acrostic Purposeuses the letters in a word or

topic to begin each line of the poem. All of the words or phrases in the poem relate to the topic word.

Acrostic Common Subjects

PeopleMonths

Acrostic Tone

Usually playfulCan be serious

Acrostic MessageA message related to the

subject -- describing or commenting on the subject.

Acrostic MeterNo set meter or rhythm is required, but the poet can decide on one if he/she likes

Acrostic Lines and Stanzas

The number of lines depends on the subject; for example, if I were to write about myself, DONOVAN would have seven lines -- one for each letter.

Acrostic Rhyme Scheme

No rhyme scheme is necessary, though the poet may decide to include rhyme.

Acrostic Poet and Biography

Edgar Allen Poe, 1809-1849, American poet, known for mystery writing and short storeis; he died at 40 because of unhealthy living or depression.

Acrostic Professional Poem Elizabeth it is in vain you say

"Love not" — thou sayest it in so sweet a way:

In vain those words from thee or L.E.L.

Zantippe's talents had enforced so well:

Ah! if that language from thy heart arise,

Breath it less gently forth — and veil thine eyes.

Endymion, recollect, when Luna tried

To cure his love — was cured of all beside —

His follie — pride — and passion — for he died.

Notice all the parts?

It spells out ELIZABETH -- the subject is a woman who a man loved, but she did not return his love. He is warning her

Poetry Tool:Repetition

Repetition DescribedRepetition of a sound, syllable,

word, phrase, line, stanza, or metrical pattern is a basic unifying device in all poetry.

Repetition Purpose

It may reinforce, supplement, or even substitute for meter, the other chief controlling factor in the arrangement of words into poetry.

Repetition Poet and Bio Shel Silverstein 1930-1999 Silverstein confirmed he never

studied the poetry of others, and therefore developed his own style: laid-back and conversational, occasionally employing profanity and slang.

Repetition PoemImagining

You’re only just imagining

A mouse is in your hair.

You’ve got to stop imagining

That mice are everywhere.

I think you’re just imagining

To give yourself a scare,

But trust me dear, I wouldn’t lie;

There is no mouse up there.

Point out the RepetitionThe repetition of “imagining” reinforces the concept of the poem and unifies the ideas in the poem.

Quick Review

Form -- acrostic poem, first letters of each line spell something or represent something bigger

Tool -- repetition -- repeat words or sounds to unify the ideas in the poem

My AcrosticJudicious when it comes to expectations.

Si, se puede.

Audaciously challenges students.

Si, se puede.

Concerned about those he may not reach.

Si, se puede.

Optimistic for the future.

Si, se puede.

Brave to engage parents for support.

Si, se puede.

Oblivious when comes to understanding teenagers.

Si, se puede.

Your turn…. An acrostic can make people feel good,

it shows respect, and it is a creative way to express friendship.

Choose a peer . Brainstorm positive traits about the

peer; try to think of three for each letter. Write an acrostic poem.

Acrostic with repetition and consonance