Let’s Create Poems with Patterns by exploring Rhyme and Rhythm

ElevatEd
Blog
September 21, 2023

Let's explore how "Creating Poems with Patterns: Exploring Rhyme and Rhythm," would introduce poetry through rhythmic patterns and rhyme schemes with examples:

1. Rhythmic Patterns:

In this section, you will learn about the importance of rhythm in poetry. Rhythmic patterns help set the pace and mood of a poem. One common rhythmic pattern is iambic pentameter, which consists of five pairs of syllables in each line, where the first syllable is unstressed (shown as '˘') and the second is stressed (shown as '/').

Example: "To be or not to be, that is the question." (From Shakespeare's "Hamlet")

You can write your own lines in iambic pentameter to feel the rhythm and create a particular atmosphere in your poems.

2. Rhyme Schemes:

In this section, you will learn about rhyme schemes, which are patterns of rhyming words at the end of lines. One common rhyme scheme is ABAB, where the first and third lines rhyme with each other, and the second and fourth lines rhyme with each other.

Example: "The moon shines bright in the clear, blue night (A) As stars above twinkle with gentle light. (B) The world below rests in tranquil delight, (A) And all is calm in the pale moonlight." (B)

You can freely experiment with rhyme schemes like AABB, ABBA, or even more complex ones like sonnets ABABCDCDEFGG, to understand how rhyme can add structure and musicality to your poems.

Creating Poems with Patterns Exploring Rhyme and Rhythm (1)

3. Different Forms:

This section introduces various poetic forms. For instance, they could explore the haiku, a form with three lines and a 5-7-5 syllable pattern:

Example: "Autumn leaves fall (5) In a gentle breeze's sigh (7) Nature's lullaby." (5)

You would have the opportunity to try different forms such as sonnets (14 lines with a specific rhyme scheme), limericks (a five-line form with a distinct rhythm and rhyme pattern), and villanelles (19 lines with a specific rhyme and repetition pattern) to experiment with diverse styles of poetry.

Why Poetry?

Mr. Cummings is one of the most popular poets of his time whose poems are cherished for their rich infusion of emotion, occasionally risqué humor, and straightforward lyrical intensity.

Throughout his lifetime, Cummings garnered several prestigious accolades. These honors included a Fellowship from the Academy of American Poets, two Guggenheim Fellowships, the Charles Eliot Norton Professorship at Harvard, the Bollingen Prize in Poetry in 1958, and a grant from the Ford Foundation.

At the time of his passing on September 3, 1962, he ranked as the second most widely read poet in the United States, just behind Robert Frost. His final resting place is in Boston, Massachusetts' Forest Hills Cemetery. e. e. Cummings In one of his famous poems “A Poet’s Advice To Students” evidently, points out the significance of how using poetry as a tool can be a fruitful experience in expressing and exploring oneself from a very young age.

Robert Frost a name that we have all heard of is a man who is praised globally. Though Frost had only recently been introduced to the world of poetry, he was still in the process of finding his voice. In a November 7, 1917, letter to Louis Untermeyer, Frost recalled that “I read my first poem at 15, wrote my first poem at 16, wrote My Butterfly at eighteen. That was my first poem published” The Letters of Robert Frost- LC

Writing poetry from a young age offers a multitude of benefits that extend far beyond the realm of creative expression.

Creativity and Imagination: Poetry encourages young minds to think imaginatively. It promotes creative thinking and allows you to explore and express your ideas, fantasies, and dreams in unique ways.

Emotional Expression: Writing poems provides an outlet for emotional expression. You can articulate their feelings, whether you are joyous, sad, or uncertain, helping them develop emotional intelligence and cope with life's ups and downs.

Critical Thinking: Crafting poetry requires careful consideration of words, imagery, and metaphors. It fosters critical thinking skills.

Confidence Building: Sharing one's poems, whether with peers or in public, builds confidence and self-esteem..

Stress Relief: Writing poetry can serve as a therapeutic tool. It allows us to release pent-up emotions and stress, providing a healthy and constructive way to cope with challenges.