Chapter Outline

Study the chapter outline below. Use the page numbers below each topic to refer to the corresponding section in Contemporary's GED Language Arts, Reading. When you are finished, go to the Flashcards or choose a different activity or chapter from the menu on the left.

Poetry

(See page 217)

Poetry is a form of writing used to convey emotional truths in which the writer uses figurative language and writes in stanzas.

Characteristics of Poetry

(See pages 219–222)

Sentences are divided into lines. Sometimes lines are grouped into stanzas.
The sounds and sequence of words produce a musical effect.
Descriptive language, both literal and figurative, creates images that may affect the reader emotionally.
The poem’s tone reveals the speaker’s feelings and attitudes about a subject.
Poetry portrays a range of subjects including both serious and ordinary topics.

Suggestions for Reading Poetry

(See pages 222–225)

Read the poem several times to get accustomed to the poet’s style.
Look up unfamiliar words, places, or people in a dictionary or an encyclopedia.
Read the poem slowly. Notice where sentences begin and end.
Apply what you already understand about part of the poem to the parts that seem more difficult.
Read the poem aloud. Listen to the sound and the rhythm of the words.
Pay attention to the title for clues about the topic and the theme.
Identify the speaker of the poem.
Grasp the literal meaning of the poem. Infer the suggested meaning if there is one.

Understanding the Language of Poetry

(See pages 225–229)

Poetic language often appeals to the senses.
Poets use literal and figurative language.
Literal descriptions can help you visualize the physical appearance of a person, place, or thing. The central purpose of purely descriptive poetry is to help you “see” a detailed image.

Figurative Language

(See pages 230–237)

Figurative language describes observations, ideas, and feelings:

A simile is a comparison using the word like or as.
A metaphor is an implied comparison in which the writer states that something is something else.
Personification is a figure of speech that represents nonliving things as humans or animals.

The Subjects of Poetry

(See pages 237–242)

Poets portray a wide variety of subjects, from the tragic to the humorous, from the unusual to the ordinary.
Some examples of poetic subjects are family relationships, memories, a person’s work, love.

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