Lesson Plan: Writing Poetry

Lesson Plan

Before Exploring

Al Purdy once said, "there is simply nothing at all like writing what you believe to be a good poem." However, he wasn't able to explain how to write a good poem or how long it would take. Some of his poems were written in 20 minutes; others took seven years to complete.

Direct students to the topic Al Purdy, An Uncommon Poet on the CBC Digital Archives website and have them browse all the clips, paying particular attention to the clips titled "Introducing Al Purdy", "Quitting his day job" and "Why Purdy deserves the Nobel Prize". Have students note examples of Purdy's poetry. When they are done, discuss as a class what Purdy means when he says that a poem may not say something, but that it will convey a mood, and a mood says something.

Outline the Opportunity

Have students write a poem, on a theme of their choice, that tells a story and conveys a mood, as Purdy's poems do. The poems may be rhymed or unrhymed, structured or free verse, but every word must serve a purpose in the poem. They should pay particular attention to rhythm and imagery.

Revisit and Reflect

One of Purdy's friends says in the clip titled "The grand old man of Canadian poetry" that Purdy does not pause properly after he reads a poem, but that people listen closely to his readings anyway. Ask students what they notice about the way Purdy reads his poetry. Invite them to read their own poems aloud in a way that emphasizes the mood they want to convey.

Extension

Ask students to brainstorm in their notebooks what they would like to pursue if they could "follow their bliss" and make a career out of their passions. Ask: What does Purdy's example teach us?