Poetry: What is Poetry?

Watch the video of Bliss n Esso - Addicted

Answer the following questions:

• Is it poetry?
• What about it makes it/does not make it poetry?
• What kinds of things do you expect to find in a poem?
• Define poetry in your own words in one or two sentences.

Share answers and discuss as a class what constitutes poetry and who decides?

Watch video of Jay Z on rap as poetry and answer the following questions:

• According to Jay Z, what makes rap poetry?
• Does the Bliss n Esso song fit into this understanding of poetry? How?
• Do you agree with Jay Z? Why/why not?

Taking what Jay Z says: Rap is thought provoking, and there’s thought behind it, and it’s great writing. Discuss as a class the purpose of poetry.

Watch Bliss n Esso – Addicted again and focus on what the purpose of this poem is.

What thought does it provoke? What is the thought behind it?

5 minute reflection: Students write for five minutes about one thing they liked in today’s lesson, one thing they learnt in today’s lesson, and one question they have.

Poems about Poetry