Lesson 1: An overview of different types of writing
Lesson 2: Simple poetry forms – Diamond Poetry and Haïkus
HAIKUS
The haiku is a Japanese verse in three lines. Line one has 5 syllables, line 2 has 7 syllables and line three has 5 syllables.
Haiku is a mood poem and it doesn’t use any metaphors or similes.
Bruce Lansky has a different method for writing Haiku. Here is an excerpt from his lesson:
I think the best stimuli for writing haiku are nature hikes, nature photography, or art. Try this: Write down what you see when you go outside for recess or when you go for a walk in the woods over the weekend. Write down your observations on paper (or better yet, record them with a camera). Depending on the season, you might get observations of nature like
the following:
leaves blowing in the wind
snow piling up on unused doors
ducks swimming in a pond during a rainstorm
the first buds on tree branches in your backyard
the first daffodil poking it’s head through the dirt
hungry bees buzzing around a flower garden
Next, try to find two images that create a striking impression when connected and write
them down. You might get something like this:
After it started to rain, fishermen steered their boats toward the shore. Then, I saw a family
of ducks waddle over to the lake and swim across.
OK, now you have to pare the sentence down so it still describes the scene while inviting
the reader to marvel at nature. How’s this?
Sudden spring storm-
a family of ducks paddles
around the deserted lake.
(Copyright 1999 by Bruce Lansky, reprinted with his permission)
Haiku (7, 11, 16, 18 & 20) – Poem by Richard Wright
7
Make up you mind, Snail!
You are half inside your house,
And halfway out!
11
You moths must leave now;
I am turning out the light
And going to sleep.
16
All right, You Sparrows;
The sun has set and you can now
Stop your chattering!
18
Sparrow’s excrement
Becomes quickly powdery
On sizzling pavements.
20
The dog’s violent sneeze
Fails to rouse a single fly
On his mangy back.
Write an Instant Diamond Poem |
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Method: |
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Sample: |
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http://ettcweb.lr.k12.nj.us/forms/diamondpoem.htm
Lesson 3: The Short Story