Lesson 18 - Form in Poetry

The Shape of Things to Come . . .

Just like the body has a skeleton to hold its shape, poems have a structure that hold their ideas together. In poetry, that "skeleton" is called form. Over the next seven (7) lessons you will identify several different types, or forms of poetry such as Haiku, Lantrene, Couplet, Quatrain, Limerick, and Free Verse. As you practice the different forms of poetry, think about which would be most appropriate for your theme, purpose, and mood from Lesson 15, 16, and 17.

Some points to consider when choosing a "skeleton" for your poem are, of course, its theme, purpose, and mood but also think about if you want your poem to be compact or lengthy, rhymed or unrhymed, metered or unmetered.

You may know if words rhyme such as moon, June and which words do not rhyme (or are unrhymed) like city, hill. However, meter may be a new word for you. Meter deals with the rhythm of the poem. As you might clap your hands along with the rhythm of your favorite music, you can find the same type of "sing-song" pattern in poetry (This is especially evident in nursery rhymes.). This pattern, or meter may be built on accented and unaccented syllables in the lines of the poem. Check out this web site for practice finding meter.

Your poem’s form may be very restricted and limited or very free without many restrictions. Rules for form might include number of words, indention, capitalization, number of syllables, placement of rhymed words, and number and/or placement of lines. There is so much to learn about poetic form but the best way to learn is to try to put some "flesh" or "meat on your bones" on your skeleton and experience writing poetry using different poetic forms.

SOURCES and resources:

Lyrical Lessons
A Home Schooling Notebook