The Language of Poetry - LanguageArts-NHS

Reading-Writing Connection
Broaden your understanding of the poems by responding to these prompts.
Then use Revision: Grammar and Style to improve your writing.
writing prompts self-check
A. Short Response: Write a Lyric Poem
In four or more lines, write a poem about a feeling
you’ve had. Incorporate at least two examples of
figurative language.
B. Extended Response: Analyze Theme
Who or what inspires the speakers of the three
poems to be open to possibility? Write three to five
paragraphs in which you explore the people, places,
ideas, or things that embolden the three speakers.
revision: grammar and style
CREATE RHYTHM Parallelism is the use of similar grammatical constructions to
express ideas that are related or equal in importance. In the following excerpt
from her poem “blessing the boats,” Lucille Clifton uses parallelism to add
rhythmic cadence to her writing. Notice how, in two different instances, she
uses an inverted sentence structure that begins with the words “may you,”
followed by predicates.
may you kiss
the wind then turn from it
certain that it will
love your back may you
open your eyes to water
water waving forever (lines 6–11)
Note how the revisions in red use parallelism to improve this first draft. Revise
your responses to the prompts by making similar changes.
student model
A successful poem will . . .
• describe a single impression
• include similes, metaphors,
or personification
And through
Through poetry, the speaker sees the unseen. Poetry also helps the speaker
s
experience heaven on earth.
An effective analysis will . . .
• include statements about
the speakers’ inspiration
• present details from the
poems to support conclusions
• devote at least one paragraph
to each poem
writing
tools
For prewriting, revision,
and editing tools, visit
the Writing Center at
ClassZone.com.
i dwell . . . / variation . . . / blessing the boats 711