Task 2: A Simile Poem

Task 2 is in TWO PARTS - so please make sure you complete both of them!

Part One

In order to show your moderators each fortnight that you are definitely learning from and taking on board their comments, I would like each task from now on to begin with a REDRAFT of the previous task.

This week, therefore, I would like you to read:

• your own Task 1 metaphor poem again several times;
• your moderators' comments again several times (and ask them to explain them further if you don't know what they mean);
• every other Task 1 poem by the other pupils (and their comments too).

Then I would like you to REDRAFT your own poem. (You should do so as a NEW POST - and your title can be the same as before, but with the word "redraft" in brackets after it.) Redrafting is when you REWRITE a piece of writing to IMPROVE it - getting rid of bits that didn't work so well; changing bits that weren't quite right; and developing bits that could have gone further.

Some of you might choose to start from scratch, and attempt a totally new Metaphor Poem - especially those of you who didn't manage to follow the rules first time around. Others of you - especially those of you who have managed most or all of the rules already - might just want to tinker with what you wrote, changing it here and there to improve it in line with what your moderators said. This is SO important. Without this redrafting, it will be HARD to ensure you continue to improve; and EASY to end up learning very little from each task.

Part Two

Last week we worked on metaphors. This week we will work on similes.

A simile is another way of describing something - but this time, you do so by saying it is LIKE something else. Anything which compares something to something else (usually using the words "like" or "as") is a simile.

Why not click here, here or here to try out some exercises which will help you to learn even more about using similes in an interesting and effective way.

Now have a look at this wonderful poem by Roger McGough. It is full of similes!

The Writer of this Poem

The writer of this poem
Is taller than a tree
As keen as the North wind
As handsome as can be

As bold as a boxing-glove
As sharp as a nib
As strong as scaffolding
As tricky as a fib

As smooth as a lolly-ice
As quick as a lick
As clean as a chemist-shop
As clever as a tick

The writer of this poem
Never ceases to amaze
He’s one in a million billion
(or so the poem says!)

Roger McGough

Your task this week is to write your own poem entitled, "The Reader of this Poem". And I would like you to follow these rules:

1. Like McGough's poem, your poem should have FOUR STANZAS (stanza is the proper word for 'verse'); each stanza should have four lines. N.B. Your lines should be a similar length, just to ensure the poem 'flows' properly.
   
2. Each stanza should rhyme Line 2 with Line 4; Lines 1 and 3 do not need to rhyme. N.B. Make sure you avoid the rhyme trap!
3. Your first stanza should begin: "The reader of this poem..."; then the rest of the 1st stanza and the whole of the 2nd and 3rd stanzas should consist of a different simile on each line.
4. Your final stanza should also begin: "The reader of this poem..." - but you can finish it off how you like. Have fun doing so (but make sure it is still four lines of similar length, and that it also rhymes like the others).
   

And remember:

• Your similes can begin with LIKE or AS (or even ___ER THAN) - or a mixture of all three.
• Your similes should be as original and unique as possible.
• Your similes should aim to be both simple (so they make sense) but also complex (so they contain a deeper meaning).

Have fun - and good luck!!! Your deadline is 6pm on Saturday 27th June.

Remember: if you are stuck, have a look at my own attempt which I shall post shortly. And if you are STILL stuck, ask your teacher or parent to explain the task to you again (just make sure that your poem itself is ALL your own work!).

englishguru