Introducing Poetry ( Literature) - JSS1 English Language Lesson Note

Introduction to Poetry (JSS 1)

What is Poetry?

Poetry is a kind of writing that uses words in a special way. It's more than just regular sentences; it's about creating sounds, images, and feelings with words. Poems can tell stories, express emotions, or paint pictures in your mind.

Features of Poetry:

• Language: Poems often use more interesting and colorful words than everyday speech. They might use similes (comparing things using "like" or "as"), metaphors (describing something as if it were something else), or rhyme (words with similar sounds at the end of lines).
• Rhythm: Many poems have a rhythm, which is a beat or pattern created by stressed and unstressed syllables. This can make the poem sound musical or catchy.
• Imagery: Poets use words to create pictures in your mind. They describe things in detail so you can almost see, hear, smell, taste, or touch what they're writing about.
• Structure: Poems can come in many shapes and sizes. Some have lines of equal length, while others are free verse (no specific pattern). Some poems have stanzas (groups of lines), while others are just one long line.