Poetry

The ABCs of Poetry

Education in the Art of Poetry

Topic Description and Links

Poetry distinguishes itself from prose by its use of meter, rhythm and rhyme. Epic poetry uses these devices in a longer, narrative form, usually concentrating on heroic tales of historical events. In this regard, epic poetry is very similar to myths, as they are both used to relate cultural history in a metaphorical form. For more information on teaching through metaphor, consider the use of myths and story-telling in ancient Greek elementary education.

In Ancient Greece, poetry and music were considered to be inextricably linked; therefore poets in the day were also almost always musicians. The music was used not only to emphasize the inherent qualities of poetry, but to aid individuals in memorizing the poems.

It is these very qualities - meter, rhythm and rhyme - that make poetry and music effective learning tools. Meter (the measured beats of every line), rhythm (the flow of a certain line), and rhyme are all strong mnemonic devices that help individuals retain the information that is presented in poems or music.

They help individuals create associations between the items being learned, thereby strenghtening the learner's semantic networks, and making the information easier to recall.

As an example, which of the following proscriptions is easier to remember?

"When in the woods, any plant that has leaves grouped into bunches of three should be avoided as most poisonous plants have leaves that are similarly grouped."

Or

"Leaves of three, let it be."

Generative Questions and Hints

To help you reason through this case, answer these questions and record your responses to recall during the corresponding lesson activities in Greece and for the reports that you will make on what you have learned.

	What are some other rhymes you've memorized to help you learn a task or a fact?
	Do you think using devices such as rhyme & rhythm is a valid method of instruction? Why or why not?
	What are some examples of contemporary educational technology that rely on rhyme & meter to teach?

Lesson Activity

Read Book I of The Odyssey by Homer to take a cognitive odyssey in the use of poetry for learning and teaching.

Think of an activity you consider yourself to be an expert on, whether it's skiing, cooking an omeltte or tying your shoes. Write a small poem geared toward a reader is not as adept at this task as you are. Do you think this will help them learn? Did it help you see the nuances of your expertise more clearly?

Gather data from your activity and record notes on your reasoning of this case for later analysis and reporting (and publishing on the QFK Web).

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