Lesson #2:
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In Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll, Alice finds herself in a mirrored-image world. She discovers a mysterious writing which at first she thinks is in a foreign language. Soon she realizes it is a mirrored writing. She holds it up to the mirror and she can read the letters, but she has no idea what it means because it is a nonsense poem.
“And hast thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!” He chortled in his joy. ’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe. |
Jabberwocky
BY LEWIS CARROLL ’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe. “Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun The frumious Bandersnatch!” He took his vorpal sword in hand; Long time the manxome foe he sought-- So rested he by the Tumtum tree And stood awhile in thought. And, as in uffish thought he stood, The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame, Came whiffling through the tulgey wood, And burbled as it came! One, two! One, two! And through and through The vorpal blade went snicker-snack! He left it dead, and with its head He went galumphing back. |
How to write a nonsense poem
- Make up words. Be creative. Consider Dr. Seuss' writing/poetry.
- Embrace absurdity. Be crazy. Break down tradition. Go outside the box.
- Rhythm is really important to nonsense poetry. Reread "Jabberwocky" as a rap and feel the beat. Try to make your poem fit to rap to know that you have the beat.
- Use conventional end rhyme. You can use ABAB, AABB, or ABCB. (It's a lot easier to rhyme when you're making up words.)
- Make sure you use adjective, noun, verbs and adverb forms logically even though they are made-up words.
ASSIGNMENT 2:
Write a three-stanza nonsense poem. Each stanza will have at least 4 lines that have a specific rhyme scheme. In other words, your poem will have a minimum of 12 lines divided into 3 stanzas.
Write a three-stanza nonsense poem. Each stanza will have at least 4 lines that have a specific rhyme scheme. In other words, your poem will have a minimum of 12 lines divided into 3 stanzas.
- Make sure you use adjectives, nouns, verbs and adverbs logically even though they are made up words.
- Stanza One: Nonsense word stanza = 4 lines with rhythm and rhyme
- BREAK!
- Stanza Two: A real word stanza that will give your poem some sense = 4 lines with rhythm and rhyme
- BREAK!
- Stanza Three: Mixture of real and nonsense word stanza that brings the poem to a fun ending = 4 lines with rhythm and rhyme
I'm nobody! Who are you? |
Assignment 1: On Google Docs, write a paragraph about your feelings about this poem. Share with me when you're finished.
This is my paragraph. Only read it if you are stuck, or after you write your paragraph.
- Topic sentence: expressing your general feelings about being a nobody or a somebody
- Give examples, feelings, ideas
- Use at least one of the following: simile, metaphor, imagery, and/or symbolism
- Minimum 5 sentences
This is my paragraph. Only read it if you are stuck, or after you write your paragraph.
What Is Poetry?
Alora M. Knight There is more to poetry Than rhythm and rhyme. It's a window to our souls, Undiminished* by time. It's where tears and joys Are clearly expressed. It's the thoughts that ordinarily Might be repressed.** It can be set to music, Increasing its worth, Sending joy to the heavens That encompass the Earth. You can make almost anything Become immortal By poetic words Sent over the portal. So put down your thoughts When you have inspiration. You'll be adding your part To the whole of creation. |