Songs are Poetry?

Objective: Students will learn about poetic devices from their favorite song lyrics.

1. A couple days before the lesson, ask students to bring their favorite song lyrics for homework. Compile the lyrics into a song packet.

2. Start the lesson by introducing ten basic poetic devices. Distribute notes that list the terms, and have the students write the meaning and an example of each. Ask questions about the devices and discuss them so the students remain actively engaged and involved in the lesson.

Poetic Devices:

1. Simile – a comparison of two unlike things using like or as.
Ex. She is beautiful like the morning sun.

2. Metaphor – a comparison of two unlike things without using like or as.
Ex. Frank is a fox.

3. Personification – an inanimate object is given human like characteristic.
Ex. The trees danced in the wind.

4. Hyperbole – a great exaggeration.
Ex. She ate a mountain of mashed potatoes.

5. Alliteration –at the beginning of words, there is a repetition of consonants.
Ex. The swimmer's skin sizzled in the sun.

6. Assonance – anywhere in the words, there is a repetition of vowels.
Ex. Please bake me a date cake.

7. Consonance – anywhere in words, there is repetition of consonant sounds.
Ex. Write a great paper by the due date.

8. Onomatopoeia – words that sound like the name of the word.
Ex. The cereal snapped, crackled, and popped.

9. Repetition – words or phrases are repeated.
Ex. Because there is hope, because there is love, because there is beauty, I can go on

10. Rhyme – sound alike endings of words.
-End rhyme – At the end of lines, words rhyme.
EX. Jars and cans lined the rack; They tumbled down on my back.
-Internal rhyme – Words that rhyme are int the middle of the line.
EX. I carry a gold locket in my pocket.

I found these definitions and examples here.

3. Break the class up into small groups and distribute the lyrics packet. Also, pass out a worksheet that lists the terms again, with a space for them to write next to them. Each group must find at least one example of each poetic device in the song lyrics and write it on the worksheet.

4. Once all groups have completed this activity, we will discuss their findings as a class. Each group will share at least one poetic device that they found in the song lyrics.

5. All students must pass in a completed worksheet, and keep the poetic devices handout and lyrics packet for their notes. The worksheet will be counted as a classwork grade.

Good introduction to poetry unit.