Sometimes poetry is described as a way to "paint a picture" with words. In many forms of poetry, the words are the only tool that an author has to get his or her message to the reader. A shape poem is different from other poems because the words of the poem form a picture!
Simply put, a shape poem is a poem whose words are written in such a way that a shape (or picture) is formed. So, a shape poem about a castle would we written in the shape of a castle. Or, a picture of rollerblades would be created by the words of a poem about rollerblading!
In the example below, Angela Wade used a simple drawing of the sun as the shape of her poem about the reasons living things need the sun.
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 and draw on — notebook paper, drawing paper, adding machine
tape, file cards, graph paper...
- something
to write with — pencils, crayons, typewriter, computer, markers...
- 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!
The first step in creating a shape poem is to chose a topic to write about. To compose a shape poem, you will have to work on two parts — the words and the shape or form they will be in.
Shape poems can be written about many different topics. You might write create ocean waves, lightening, or a bat. You can also write about an event like a basketball game (using a picture of a ball or net), dinner at your favorite restaurant (using a picture of a place setting), or even doing laundry (using a picture of a hanger).
Once you have decided on your topic, you can begin with either the words (the poem) or your drawing (the shape). When you have finished with one part, you can work on the other. After you start working with your idea, you might find it helpful to work on both parts at the same time!
You will likely find that some shapes display your words better than others. Play with many different shapes until you find just the right shape for the words you are using! You may find that you have to revise your poem or change the shape so that your work says exactly what you want it to say.
When you have finished your rough draft, show it to a friend, your mom or dad, or your teacher. Ask them to give you some feedback about how the words you have chosen fit with the shape you have drawn. 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, scan it and e-mail it to a friend, use a computer application (like PowerPoint, HyperStudio, or Flash). You can even write several shape poems and use them to decorate a folder or scrapbook! If you like, you could also keep your shape poem to yourself.
The example poem at the top of this page was published using the actual shape of the poem's topic. The poem below is an example of a shape poem that was published using Macromedia Flash. In this case, the published poem uses the idea of the topic as its shape ... the twinkling of night stars!
Click the button below for the shape poem journal page!
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