Name_________________________________
Period______
English 7
I AM POEM
Your objective is to compose an original “I AM” poem. It will be worth 30
points.
Here is an example of an “I AM” poem written by a student. As you read it,
notice how it is written. The lines of the poem begin in a special way. Some
lines describe imaginary sights, sound, and experiences, while other
sentences express actual feelings. You should also observe that the first
line of an “I AM” poem is repeated at the end of each stanza.
I AM
I am a chatty girl who likes to travel.
I wonder what I, and the world, will be like in the year 2030.
I hear the waves crashing in the vast sea.
I see a dolphin flying up in the sky.
I want the adventure of a life before it passes me by.
I am a chatty girl who likes to travel.
I pretend that I am the ruler of the world.
I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders.
I touch The Eiffel Tower, and The Great Wall of China.
I worry about the devastation of a nuclear attack.
I cry for all the death and poverty in the world.
I am a chatty girl who likes to travel.
I understand the frustration of not being able to do something easily.
I say that we are all equal.
I dream of traveling to other points on the earth.
I try to reach out to poor and starving children.
I hope that the entire world will be at peace one day.
I am a chatty girl who likes to travel.
When you start to write your poem, begin by describing two special things
about yourself. Avoid the obvious and the ordinary, such as “I am a twelve
year old boy with brown hair.” There are millions of twelve-year-old boys
with brown hair! Think of things about yourself that are distinctive.
“I am a girl who bruises easily and believes in astrology- when the stars are
right.” That’s better because it gives a sense of the speaker and how she is
different from other people. Don’t be afraid to be different!
Once you have an opening line, you are ready to take off! Here is a line-byline guide to follow. It may seem strange at first to write a poem this way,
but give it a try. You may surprise yourself.
I AM
I
I
I
I
I
I
am (two special characteristics you have)
wonder (something you are actually curious about)
hear (an imaginary sound)
see (an imaginary sight)
want (an actual desire)
am (the first line of the poem repeated)
I
I
I
I
I
I
pretend (something you actually pretend to do)
feel (a feeling about something imaginary)
touch (an imaginary touch)
worry (something that really bothers you)
cry (something that makes you very sad)
am (the first line of the poem repeated)
I
I
I
I
I
I
understand (something you know is true)
say (something you believe in)
dream (something you actually dream about)
try (something you really make an effort about)
hope (something you actually hope for)
am (the first line of the poem repeated)
Name________________________
Period______
English 7
I Am Poem Organizer
FIRST STANZA
I am (Two special characteristics-use adjectives and what makes you
different from other seventh graders)
_________________________________________________________
I wonder (Something you are curious about)
_________________________________________________________
I hear (An imaginary sound-start with a real sound and alter it to an
imaginary sound)
_________________________________________________________
I see (An imaginary sight- start with a real sight and alter it to an imaginary
sight)
_________________________________________________________
I want (A desire you have-if you were granted one wish)
_________________________________________________________
I am (The first line of the poem repeated)
_________________________________________________________
SECOND STANZA
I pretend (Something you pretend to do or be at times)
_________________________________________________________
I feel (A feeling about something imaginary- start with a real feeling and
expand it to an imaginary sight)
_________________________________________________________
I touch (An imaginary touch-start with a real item and alter it to be
imaginary)
_________________________________________________________
I worry (Something that bothers you)
_________________________________________________________
I cry (Something that makes you sad)
_________________________________________________________
I am (The first line of the poem repeated)
_________________________________________________________
THIRD STANZA
I understand (Something you know is true)
_______________________________________________________
I say (Something you believe in)
_________________________________________________________
I dream (Something you dream about)
_________________________________________________________
I try (Something you make an effort on)
_________________________________________________________
I hope (Something you hope for)
_________________________________________________________
I am (The first line of the poem repeated)
_________________________________________________________
Name_______________________________
Period________
English
“I AM” Poem Rubric
Not at
all
Somewhat
Mostly
Always
0 points
1-2 points
4-3
points
5 points
Focus/
Organization
“I Am” poem format
followed
Content
Has topic and
supporting details
Style/Vivid
Description
Use of imagery
Many adjectives and
adverbs present
Conventions are
correct
Spelling, Punctuation
and Grammar
Appearance
Typed and neat
Photograph
Unique, creative, etc.
Total Score
/30