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A short class with Sarah and her students. The other ways are under More.
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Good morning, class! Today we’ll explore how humor is used in poetry, particularly through Carolyn Wells' poem 'How to Tell Wild Animals'. Can anyone tell me what they think humor in poetry adds to a story?
I think it makes it more fun and engaging!
Absolutely! Humor can lighten the mood and draw readers in. In Wells' poem, she uses exaggerated traits of animals to create comedic scenarios. For example, when she talks about the 'Asian Lion,' she presents this peculiar way of knowing him by saying, "If he roars at you as you're dyin'..." Can anyone identify how the exaggerated characteristics contribute to the humor?
It's funny because it sounds like a real warning, but it's so exaggerated, it’s impossible!
Exactly! This is called hyperbole. It emphasizes traits to absurd levels. Humor can also help readers remember. To remember some humorous examples, we might use the acronym ‘H.A.A.P.’ for Humor, Absurdity, Animal traits, and Personality. Does that help?
Yes, it helps a lot! So are we looking for these traits when we read the poem?
Correct! Let's keep that acronym in mind as we read. Humor, Absurdity, Animal traits, and Personality are our key focuses. Now, let's summarize our discussion.
In this session, we learned how humor engages readers and emphasizes characteristics through hyperbole in Wells' poem.
Welcome back! Today we will focus on poetic devices in ‘How to Tell Wild Animals’. Can anyone name a poetic device used in the poem?
I remember the alliteration from the phrase 'noble wild beast'!
Great observation! Alliteration enhances rhythm and sound. Besides alliteration, we also find personification in how animals are described with human-like characteristics. When Wells humorously portrays traits, it creates vivid imagery. Can someone give me an example?
When she says how a lion might greet someone, it feels like it has feelings!
Right on point! Personifying the lion makes readers relate to the animal more and adds humor. For rememberings, let’s use P.I.B. for Personification, Imagery, and Bravery. Now, let’s summarize.
This session focused on identifying poetic devices, such as alliteration and personification, that Wells uses to create a fun narrative.
Today let's shift to discuss the themes present in the poem. What do you believe are the main themes?
It seems like she’s playing on what wild animals are really like in funny ways.
Great insight! One theme is the perception of wild animals, presented in an exaggerated way to evoke amusement and provoke thought. This can remind readers of the importance of understanding wildlife. How does humor empower this theme?
Since it’s funny, people might pay more attention to the traits of the animals!
Yes! Humor captivates attention and encourages curiosity. As a memory aid, let’s use E.A.C. for Entertain, Amuse, Caution. What do you think about that?
I like that! It’s easy to remember.
Exactly! Now, let’s remember that these themes encourage both understanding and appreciation of animals through humor.
Alright, class! Now let’s apply what we’ve learned by creating our lines inspired by Wells. Can anyone share a fun idea?
How about, 'If it’s wearing a long red tie, / Then it’s definitely a crocodile!'?
That’s a fantastic line! Using humor and creativity mirrors Wells' style wonderfully. Can others build on this concept or add a twist?
I’ll try: 'If it jumps and claps with glee, / You’ll find it’s the happy kangaroo!'
What a creative comparison! We could summarize our ideas with the acronym C.R.E.A.T.E. for Creativity, Rhythm, Expression, Animal traits, Timing, Engagement. Let’s remember this as we continue to practice.
In this session, we explored our creativity by crafting humorous poetic lines, applying the concepts we discussed.
To spot a wild beast and know it's true, / Look for the signs, like a lion's hue.
Imagine wandering through the jungle only to find a lion greeting you with a humorous roar about your outfit!
Remember H.A.A.P.: Humor, Absurdity, Animal traits, Personality.
Use P.I.B. for Personification, Imagery, and Bravery to recall poetic devices.
Term
Hyperbole
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Term
Alliteration
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Term
Personification
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Term
Imagery
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An exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally, used for comic effect.
Attributing human characteristics or actions to animals or inanimate objects.
The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.
Descriptive language that creates vivid pictures in the reader's mind.
This section discusses Carolyn Wells' humorous poem that playfully illustrates ways to identify different wild animals through exaggerated traits and characteristics.
In Carolyn Wells' poem 'How to Tell Wild Animals', the author utilizes humor and exaggerated characteristics to offer witty identifiers for various wild animals. The poem incorporates an aabb rhyme scheme and rich personification, creating a light-hearted tone while entertaining readers and subtly educating them about animal traits.
Carolyn Wells' poem 'How to Tell Wild Animals' is a light-hearted, amusing piece that offers a whimsical take on identifying different wild animals. Consisting of several quatrains often following an aabb rhyme scheme, the poem employs a playful tone that captures the reader's attention with its humorous exaggerations.
The essence of the poem lies in presenting various wild animals' characteristics in a comedic, instructional format, blending entertainment with subtle education. For instance, the lines feature exaggerated traits, such as when Wells describes the Asian Lion, where she wittily notes, "If he roars at you as you're dyin', / You'll know it is the Asian Lion." This humorous use of irony and hyperbole effectively conveys the unique and sometimes dangerous characteristics of wild animals.
The poem is rich in poetic devices, with significant use of:
Overall, 'How to Tell Wild Animals' stands out as an entertaining read that deftly mixes humor with lessons about animal traits, encouraging readers to observe and appreciate the wild in a fun way.