221-002 WHWN activity sheets
4/3/05
2:33 pm
Page 5
Poem SIDE 1
P
oems are for sharing and reading aloud. You can draw your reader
in with the rhythm and sounds of the words and by creating
pictures with words.
Ideas to make your reader
want to read on...
Start by thinking carefully about your subject:
• Decide what your poem will be about and
then jot down lots of different words and ideas
to use as you write.
Try using words and phrases to create strong
pictures in your mind:
• Choose words and phrases that suggest ideas
and images to you. You might use similes and
metaphors, or introduce some alliteration. You
might change the order of the words to see
what effect it has:
Find a shape and rhythm
for your poem:
• Decide whether or not you want to use rhyme.
If you do use rhyme, check that you are choosing
the right word rather than just looking for one
that rhymes. Poems don’t have to rhyme.
• If your poem doesn’t rhyme decide where you
want each line to end. Changing the line breaks
will alter the way your poem sounds.
Here’s a poem called ‘Geraniums in the Snow’ that
has been written out as if it were ordinary prose.
Read it aloud and see if you can work out where
the poet chose to end each line.
Like children snuggling down under a white duvet slowly
the red geraniums vanish under the snow.
‘Geraniums in the Snow’ by Brian Patten, from Juggling with Gerbils
© Brian Patten, 2000
For example, you could use an image to describe
feeling proud of an achievement: I feel as proud
as an FA cup and Olympic gold medal winner.
Try out different ideas:
• Try using alliteration: I’m bursting and boasting
• Look at the shape of your poem. Try putting
and beaming with pride.
• Try ordering words in different ways: a
beaming boaster.
• Choose strong verbs (sprinted instead of went)
and precise nouns (cottage or mansion instead
of house) to make your writing more powerful.
• Read your poem out loud, think about how it
sounds and ways to improve it.
lines in a different order, taking words out or
adding more.
• Keep re-reading and changing
until you are happy with it.
Now read
Brian
Patten’s
poem
opening.
221-002 WHWN activity sheets
4/3/05
2:33 pm
Page 6
Poem SIDE 2
1. Before you write…
Now it’s your turn
• Read through the opening lines of the poem
and Brian’s suggestions. Imagine all the different
possibilities for where the place is and make some notes of your ideas.
Brian Patten has written the start of this poem,
which you are going to continue:
• What might “it” do or look like? Think of words that you could use to
There is something in the
express your reaction.
,
I wonder what it can be?
• Decide on a structure for your poem.You could continue with the
rhyme pattern from Brian’s poem, but you don’t have to.You could
continue the rhyme pattern for part of it or not at all.
It has only just arrived
So I’d better go and see.
2. As you write…
• Keep re-reading as you write and try out different words to make it
Brian Patten says:
You will notice I’ve left a blank at the end of the
first line. I’ve done that on purpose. You can decide
for yourself where the place is.
The “something” might be in the garden, or it
might be in the attic, or in the basement, or in the
front room, or in the old box, or in the kettle or
teapot, or oven, or cupboard, or inside the
computer or in a million and one other places.
And what is the “it” that has arrived? No doubt
you’ll let us know as you write the poem. A living
thing? Perhaps an insect? Or animal? Or bird? Or
ghost? An alien even? Or something much more
original than anything I can think of!
Good luck with your poem and I hope you
enjoy writing it!
•
•
sound the way you want.
Use your imagination as you choose words. Look for the best
words to create an image or express an emotion and don’t force
the rhymes, if you choose to use rhyme.
Check that your poem is no longer than 32 lines, not including Brian’s
opening.
3. When you’ve finished…
• Read the whole poem out loud. Listen to how it sounds, look at the
•
•
•
shape and decide on any changes.
You could read it aloud to someone else, and ask them if there were
parts that worked well and if they could suggest where improvements
could be made. Remember that the ideas must be your own.
Make up a title for your poem.
Check your spelling and, when you’ve finished writing your
poem, make a final version.