The Aesthetics of Poetry

1. The Aesthetics of Poetry Adding Art into Writing

2. Rhythm • Definition: • In music  the pattern of stress and length of notes • In writing the pattern of stress and length of syllables • Example: • dah-DUM dah-DUMdah-DUM • dah-dah-DUM dah-dah-DUM • dah-DUM dah-DUM dah-dah-DUM dah-DUM

3. Rhythm • What’s the rhythm of your favorite song? • What’s the rhythm of these lines from Langston Hughes’ poem “Dream Variations”? To fling my arms wide In some place of the sun, To whirl and to dance Till the white day is done.

4. Rhythm • Let’s watch “Juan Valdez” again. • This time, pay attention to the rhythm of Gomez’s words. • Write down what you hear (ex: duh-duh-DUM) and if and when the rhythm changes.

5. Rhyme • Definition: the repetition of the same sound in multiple words or the endings of words • Not all poems (or songs) rhyme! But some do. • Does your favorite song rhyme at all?

6. Rhyme Remember the rhyme scheme from “Harlem”? A What happens to a dream deferred? B Does it dry up C like a raisin in the sun? D Or fester like a sore— C And then run? E Does it stink like rotten meat? F Or crust and sugar over— E like a syrupy sweet? G Maybe it just sags H like a heavy load. H Or does it explode?

7. Rhyme • Let’s watch “Juan Valdez” again. Now pay attention to rhyme. • Write down any words that rhyme.

8. Repetition of Words • Poets (and other writers) often repeat words or phrases, to emphasize certain concepts. • Are any words repeated in your favorite song? What concept does that emphasize? • Remember how Hughes repeated “Break the heart of me” in his poem “Song for a Dark Girl”?

9. Repetition of Words • Let’s listen to “Juan Valdez” again. • What words do you hear Gomez repeat? • What message do they send?

10. Repetition of Sounds • Poets and writers also repeat certain sounds, such as particular consonants (Ps, Ms, Ks) or vowels (As, Os, Us) to emphasize certain emotions. • When this happens at the beginning of a word, it’s called “alliteration.” • Ex.: “boiling bubbles burst” • When this happens in the middle or end of a word, it’s called “consonance” (for consonant sounds) and “assonance” (for vowel sounds). • Ex.: “Take a quick look.” • Ex.: “Who threw glue at you?”

11. Repetition of Sounds • Think about your favorite song again. What consonant or vowel sounds do you hear repeated? What effect does that have on your emotions? • Let’s watch “Juan Valdez” one last time. What sounds do you hear repeated? How do they contribute to the emotional effect of the poem?