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What is the purpose of poetry?

Sometimes poems are short and rhythmic like a song. Sometimes they are long narratives with characters and plot lines like a story. So why do we read and write poems?

For the writer, a poem is a way of expressing themselves. Often, people choose to write about subjects that they are passionate about or experiences they have had.

For a reader, poetry can be a way of connecting with a particular topic that you feel strongly about.

Sometimes though, poetry can simply put a smile on your face or make you laugh which is another great reason to read it.

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What is poetry about?

The fun thing about poetry is that it can be about anything.

Poets are inspired by all sorts of different things and you can be too.

Have a look at the different images below. Think about how the images make you feel and what words come to mind when you look at them. This could be the start of your next poem!

Inspiration

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide 1 of 3, , Astrolabe. An ancient islamic invention used to track the position of the moon and stars.
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Activity: Brain storm

A drawing of a boy creating a brain storm of ideas for a poem.

Coming up with ideas for a poem can be hard. Here is an activity to help you get started. Think of a time when you have had strong emotions. It can be any emotion; sad, angry, excited, joyful. Here are some ideas to help:

  • Watching a football match with a family member
  • Being blamed for something you didn鈥檛 do
  • Saying goodbye to a loved one
  • Winning an award or prize when you have worked really hard

Write down your event in the middle of a piece of paper. Now, write down all the words that come to mind around your event in a spider diagram. These words can be the start of your next poem!

A drawing of a boy creating a brain storm of ideas for a poem.
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Activity: Poetry challenge cards

Have a go at one of the poetry challenge cards.

How many challenges can you complete?

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide 1 of 6, ,
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Nonsense poetry

Not all poetry is serious. Sometimes poems are silly or funny or even use made up words.

Watch poet Joseph Coelho create a nonsense poem!

Your turn to think of your own made up words. Have a go at fitting them into the poem below or make up your own poem.

The 鈥 sank my 鈥

So I 鈥 their 鈥

Then they 鈥 my 鈥

We all 鈥 to the moon!

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Activity: Performing your poem

Whatever type of poem you have written, it is time to perform it! You can perform to a friend, family member or even to yourself in the mirror.

You can read it from your paper or try to memorise it.

Top tips!

  • Stand up straight and face forward.

  • Speak clearly and say each word carefully.

  • Don鈥檛 rush!

Change your speed and volume as you are performing. Changing from slow to quick and loud to quiet can make your performance more dramatic!

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Where next?

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Play Bitesize Primary games. game

Fun and educational primary games in science, maths, English, history, geography, art and design, computing and modern languages.

Play Bitesize Primary games
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More on Poems

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