Page 95 - SpringBoard_Writing_Workshop_Grade8_Flipbook

Writing Workshop 8 (continued)
c. Use of Language: What kinds of punctuation and capitalization does the writer use? How does the writer use imagery such as descriptive language (vivid verbs, connotative diction, sensory detail), figurative language (metaphors, similes, juxtaposition, idiom), and other sound techniques (rhyme, enjambment) to communicate ideas and create tone?
The first word of every line is capitalized. Most of the lines end with periods, commas, semicolons, or colons, which slows the pace of the poem down. The poet repeats the word “state” three times, giving it emphasis and showing how his condition or state changes. Imagery at the end conveys his raised spirits; “Like to the lark” and “sings hymns at heaven’s gate” are images of joyfulness. Love equals wealth.
Check Your Understanding
7. Theme refers to the central idea or message of a poem. A poem’s theme
makes a comment about the subject. What is a possible theme of “Sonnet 29”?
Possible themes: Love conquers despair.
Disgrace, despair, and disappointment are lightened by remembering there is love in your life.
8. Choose one line from the poem, and explain how it helps you understand the poem’s tone or theme.
Possible response: “[I]n these thoughts myself almost despising” gives me the sense of the speaker’s battle with depression that he builds in the first eight lines, and anticipates the shift in mood in the last five lines.
ACTIVITY 2
Writing a Poem as a Class
WRITING PROMPT: Work with the class to write a sonnet (or another lyric poem with a specific structured rhyme scheme.) Be sure to include:
• Imagery: descriptive and figurative language (for example: metaphor, simile,
sensory detail, imagery)
• Sound techniques (for example: rhyme, alliteration, parallel structure,
enjambment)
• Poetic elements (for example: quatrains, couplets, rhyme scheme, meter)
Refer to the Scoring Guide for this writing task at the end of this workshop to help you understand where to focus your attention and efforts.
Prewriting
1. Reread “Sonnet 29” and complete the chart on the following page in order to define and identify imagery (descriptive and figurative language), sound techniques, and poetic elements that you can apply to your class- constructed poem.
4 SpringBoard® Writing Workshop with Grammar Activities Grade 8
© 2017 College Board. All rights reserved.