Write Your Own

Worksheet Description

This worksheet is tailored to instruct students on the intricacies of iambic pentameter through practical application and analysis. A classic microphone graphic adorns the header, symbolizing the oral tradition of poetry, while the title “Iambic Pentameter” is clearly printed, defining the focus. Instructions guide students to read selected lines by the renowned poet John Keats, prompting them to identify the metrical pattern by marking the stressed (/) and unstressed (x) syllables. This exercise aims to enhance students’ understanding of meter in poetry by practicing the recognition of rhythmic structure within established works.

The second part of the worksheet shifts from analysis to creation, providing lines for students to compose their own verses in iambic pentameter. This directive encourages creative writing, reinforcing the lesson by having students engage directly with the meter. By stipulating that the lines need not rhyme but must follow the ‘ten syllables, five stressed and five unstressed’ rule, the worksheet emphasizes the importance of metrical structure over rhyme, challenging students to think carefully about the cadence of their words. This section is a blank canvas for poetic expression, offering a hands-on approach to mastering one of the most fundamental aspects of English poetry.