Mini-lesson #3

Journal Entry

2 points

Title this entry three.  Underline this title please.  Now, look at the poem Grandma's Apron again. 

1. What are some of the feelings you can identify in this poem?

2. Why do you think feelings are important when you write poetry?

I also want you to learn a few poetic devices.  You must be thinking, "what in the world are poetic devices?"  It is just a really fancy way to say some neat ways you can write poetry.

Look at  the poem My Love Is Like A Red, Red Rose.  Specifically look at the first line, which is the same as the title of course.  When the poet say my love is LIKE a red, red rose this is called a SIMILE.  You are saying that one thing is LIKE another thing.  Think about the word SIMILE - it looks a lot like the word SIMILAR, and similar means things that are alike.  

Here are a couple more examples:  

The light bulb is LIKE the sun

My cat is LIKE a race car

3. Tell me in your own words what a simile is.

4. Give me three of your own simile examples.

Now I want you to look at the poem The Fog.  This poem uses a device called personification.  I know that this is a big word, but all it means is giving something that is non-living have characteristics, traits, or actions that are like a living thing OR giving an animal human traits, characteristics, or actions.  In The Fog, the poem makes the fog seem like a cat by saying it sits on it's little, quiet feet, then moves on.  Now we know that fog doesn't have feet, so the poet "personified" fog and gave it traits like a cat.  I know that this concept is a little tougher, so let me give you another example.  The thunder storm roared and flashed it's eyes.  Think about what I personified....I personified the storm (because a storm does not really have claws or eyes) what do you think I was saying the storm was?

The paper bag flapped it's wings and soared trough the air.

5. What object did I personify?

6. What did I say that object was?

7.  Give me two examples of your own.