When you hear the word chant, what do you think of? Maybe you think of a crowd at a football game yelling, "DE-FENSE! DE-FENSE! DE-FENSE!" Maybe, you think of those moments just before a big test when you keep repeating to yourself, "You can do it. You can do it."
A chant poem is poem that uses one or more phrases over and over. Chants don't have to rhyme, but they do have to have a rhythm. When you read a chant poem, the repeated line should have a musical beat to it.
Chants are one of the oldest forms of poetry and are usually meant to be read (or sung) aloud. Slaves and field workers sang chant-like songs. Blues songs also use rhythm and repeated lines to help create their unique mood and message.
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!
Now it's your turn to try writing a chant poem. Start by picking a topic that you would like to write about. Once you have an idea, you are ready to write the line that will be repeated throughout your poem.
When you have the line and the rhythm that will guide your poem, you are ready to fill in the other lines of the poem. Chant poems do not have to have a beginning, middle, or end. However, you might find it helpful to think of a story line to order your phrases.
When you have finished your rough draft, ask someone to help you read it aloud. Read the story line and have a friend, your mom or dad, or your teacher read the repeated line. This will help you check the rhythm of your poem!
When you are finished reading, ask for some feedback about the words and rhythm 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 write your poem on fancy paper or in a poetry journal. However, since chant poems are designed to be read aloud, you may want to find a group of friends to help you act it out, create a sound or video recording, or use a computer program that allows you to add sound (like PowerPoint, HyperStudio, or Flash). You could also read the poem aloud to yourself!
Click the button below for the shape poem journal page!
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