d
a
d
a DUM da
da D UM d
a
d
a
In 2000, The Cat in the Hat ranked as the 9th best selling
children’s book ever published, selling over 7.2 million copies.
Even though Dr. Seuss had written and published many other
children’s books prior, The Cat in the Hat was acclaimed by
educators, parents and children alike, for its easy-to-read
verbiage, repetition and rhyme scale.
Dr. Seuss wrote most of his books in a verse characterized
as anapestic tetrameter. This form of writing consists of four
rhythmic units, each composed of two weak beats followed by
one strong. For example, da da DUM da da DUM da da DUM
da da DUM. Often, in this type of writing, the first weak syllable
is left out, or an additional weak syllable is added at the end.
For example, the first line of If I Ran the Circus is: In ALL the
whole TOWN the most WONderful SPOT.
Activities:
1. Write a sentence using anapestic terameter — da da DUM da da
DUM da da DUM da da DUM.
2. What are some of the other forms of writing that Dr. Seuss used in
his books?
3. Write a sentence using one of those other forms of writing.
da
da
D U M da d
d
a
M
da
U
D
a
Bonus Newspaper Activities!
- Read today’s comic strips. Then think about your own. Now draw it, and write
what the main character says using a sentence written in anapestic terameter.
This educational program brought to you by Dr. Seuss Properties TM & © 1937–TM & © 1997
Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. and NEA
Questions? Call Educational Services at
(405) 475-4137 or visit www.NewsOK.com/NIE.