Lesson Objectives

• Recognize the characteristics of free verse and narrative poetry

• analyze how a particular stanza fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the theme, setting, or plot

• Explain how the author develops the point of view of the speaker in a text.

• Describe the effect of a point of view in a poem.

Free Verse and Narrative Poetry

Poets choose a form of poetry that suits what they want to say. For example, some may choose a free verse, and some may choose narrative poetry. Sometimes poets may use the forms in combination.

What is free verse poetry?

• does not make use of rhyme or a regular meter.

• may contain imagery and descriptive language.

What is narrative poetry?

• tells a story in verse form

• like a story, has characters, setting, and a plot

• It uses rhythm and powerful language

Point of View

In a narrative poem, as in fiction, the story may be told from the point of view of one of the characters. The character is known as the speaker.