Welcome Poets!

This theme is for all poets ... even those who don't know it! Whether you have never written poetry or you have been writing poetry for a long time, this is the place for you.

There are many different forms of poetry. In fact, there are about as many forms as there are reasons to write. You might write a poem to celebrate a special occasion or you might write to share you feelings about an old shoe. No matter your reason for writing, your poetry can be anything YOU want it to be!

Poet? Know IT! is a way to play with many different types of poetry. If you are tired of rhyme, try writing a ballad or a BioPoem. If you like to play with words try an acrostic or a spoonerism. During your time here, you will learn about and practice writing many types (or forms) of poetry! Once you start, the possibilities are endless!!!

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As you read poetry, you will notice the use of rhythm and beat, rhyme and sound, imagery and the senses, shape and format, and emotion. These are some of the elements of poetry ... some things that poems have in common.

If you haven't read a lot of poetry, it's not too late to start! You may want to start with these authors: Judith Viorst, Jack Prelutsky, Kalli Dakos, Shel Silverstein, Arnold Lobel, and Robert Frost.

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Now, it's probably a good idea to set a few ground rules. There aren't very many, but they are important. Are you ready? OK, here they are!

1. Writing poetry requires you to do your very best each time you write. Poetry needs practice! The only way to write a bad poem is not to write one at all.
   
   
2. Your poetry is your own. You can be funny, serious, informational, or silly. It's completely up to you.
   
   
3. If you are asked your opinion about someone else's poem, you need to be honest. You also need to state your opinion in a way that's helpful and not hurtful!
   
   
   • Avoid saying: "I don't like your poem. You didn't give enough information."
     
     
   • Instead say: "I think your poem would be better if you added more description in lines 2 and 3."
     
     
4. As you write, follow the writing process.
   
   
5. The most important rule ... HAVE FUN!

That's it! You are ready to write! Each type of poem listed in the poetry menu will send you to a new page. On that page you will find a description of the poem, examples of that form, some topic ideas that work well with the type you selected, and a printable journal page. When you are finished, you will have created a journal of your own poetry.

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