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Exploring a Poem
DIRECTIONS: Find a poem you like. You can choose William Shakespeare’s
“Sonnet 18,” one you’ve read in class, or find one on your own. Read it aloud and to
yourself. Then, answer the questions below.

POEM TITLE:
POET:

Poetry Checklist
This poem:
is written in verse
rhymes
has rhythm

Poetic Devices
Look for examples of the types of figurative language and sound devices
listed in the box below. If you find one, write down the example from
your poem and label it.

SIMILE ALLITERATION
METAPHOR
PERSONIFICATION
ONOMATOPOEIA

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Poem to Prose
Rewrite this poem in prose. Make the language as straightforward as
you can by taking away all of the poetic qualities you’ve identified.

For example, Carl Sandburg’s poem “Fog” begins:

The fog comes

on little cat feet.

We could rewrite that in prose without the meta-

phorical language:

The fog appears in the harbor and city.

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