In order to understand a BioPoem, we have to take quick look at the prefix "bio." Think about the words you know that begin with this prefix ... biology ... biography ... biosphere ... biotechnology ... biodegradable.
The meaning of all of these words have one thing in common. They all have something to do with LIFE and LIVING things.
BioPoems are poems that tell about the life of someone or something. They could also be considered a "pattern poem" because they follow a specific pattern.
Let's look at the pattern of a BioPoem! For more information about what to include in each line, click on the line number.
BioPoems are often written about people. If you want to add and interesting twist to your poem, try writing about the "life" of an event!
Writer's Toolbox
Before you begin writing, you may want to gather some tools to help you as you search for just the right words. Here is a list of materials you might need:
- something
to write on — notebook paper, adding machine tape, file cards,
graph paper...
- something
to write with — pencils, crayons, typewriter, computer, markers...
- drawing
paper ... sometimes it helps to draw a picture first!
- art supplies
(colored pencils, crayons, and other fun stuff!)
- word lists
(Click HERE for
an example or HERE
for a blank list!)
- a thesaurus
- a dictionary
Your
Turn!
Begin your BioPoem by choosing a topic ... person or event. Once this decision is made, you are ready to begin collecting information for your poem. Remember, BioPoems work best when you know a lot about your subject.
There are many topics that work well with a BioPoem. You can write about a famous person from history or a person currently in the news. Historical events can also be topics for interesting poems. You might write about Pearl Harbor, the Great Depression, the invention of the automobile, or the 2000 Presidential Election.
Your poem doesn't have to be about a worldwide news event or a famous person. You could also write about your pet, your best friend, your grandma, or yourself! You could even write about your town or state!
Next, you will want to organize your information. You can do this in many ways. You can make a concept map or an information web. You can make a list or an outline. You can draw and label a picture or diagram. You can make a titled collage. There are lots of options Choose and use an organization tool that makes sense to you!
Now, write words and phrases to fit the pattern. You may find that you have to draft many different phrases before you find the the right one to use in your poem. When you have word or phrase for each line of the pattern, put them together to create your poem!
When you have finished your rough draft, read it to a friend, your mom or dad, or your teacher. Ask them to give you some feedback about the words you have chosen. If you think that their suggestions will help your poem, add them.
When you have your poem just the way you like it, it's time to publish it. You can publish any way you like. You can print it on fancy paper, create a work of art to surround it, put it in a photo album surrounded by pictures of the person or event you wrote about, use a computer application (like PowerPoint, HyperStudio, or even Flash), read it out loud, or you may even choose to keep it to yourself!
Click the button below for the BioPoem journal page!
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