Lecture Notes: Introduction to Common Types of Poetry
Overview
- Poetry can be intimidating but is vast and varied.
- There are poems that you will love and enjoy writing.
- Introduction to various poetic forms can help get started.
Types of Poetry
1. Found Poems
- Created by selecting and organizing words/phrases from existing texts.
- Literary equivalent of a collage; uses various media like newspapers, sheet music.
- Common sources: newspaper articles, street signs, graffiti, speeches.
2. Tanaga
- Filipino poem with 4 lines, each having 7 syllables.
- Rhyme scheme is typically AABB.
- Example: "Oh be resilient, you stay."
- No titles, much like haikus.
3. Haiku
- Japanese poem, 3 lines with a 5-7-5 syllable structure.
- Often focuses on nature, emphasizes simplicity and directness.
- Only rule: adhere to syllable count.
4. Acrostic
- First letters of each line spell out a word/phrase vertically.
- No specific rhyme scheme, easier to write.
5. Sonnet
- 14 lines with specific rhyme scheme.
- Originates from Italian word meaning "little song."
- Types: Italian/Petrarchan, English/Shakespearean, Spenserian.
6. Concrete Poem
- Words form the shape of the subject of the poem.
- Also known as shape poem.
7. Lyric Poem
- Short, first-person, expresses emotion or idea, often musical.
- Types include odes and elegies.
Ode
- Praises individual or event; ceremonial and formal.
- Example: "Ode to the Confederate Dead" by Alan Tate.
Elegy
- Mourns the dead; no specific stanza pattern.
- Famous example: "O Captain! My Captain!" by Walt Whitman.
8. Narrative Poem
- Tells a story with narrator and characters, usually metered verse.
Ballad
- Narrative poem with musical rhythm, often sung.
- Quatrains with rhyme scheme ABAB or ABCB.
- Example: "Annabel Lee" by Edgar Allan Poe.
Epic
- Long narrative recounting deeds of a hero.
- Examples include "Iliad" by Homer and "Beowulf."
9. Limerick
- Humorous, 5 lines with AABBA rhyme scheme.
- Anapestic beat (weak-weak-strong).
Conclusion
- Many poetic forms to explore and appreciate.
- Encouragement to share knowledge of other forms not discussed.
These notes provide a structured overview of the different poetic forms discussed in the lecture, highlighting their characteristics and providing examples.