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February 26 issue, sensory words |
| Writers should understand the need of addressing as many of the five senses as possible for complete descriptions in poetry, in fact in any and all writing. Sensory words create imagery as well as affecting and improving descriptions in poetry. Don't forget the contest for all newsletter subscribers and editors:
Sensory Words Descriptions should be complete and accurate enough that a person/reader can picture the thing being described. Since words are tools used to create imagery, then sensory words are tools needed to create thorough descriptions. The more senses that can be utilized and the more specific the word used, the better the description, the more the reader can identify with what the writer is describing. To help understand sensory words and their purpose, do the following: 1. Consider the five senses: sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch (feel). 2. Read over the Sample of Sensory Words given below. Consider which are more specific. 3. Add as many sensory words for each sense as possible. 4. Keep a thesaurus close at hand and use it often. Sensory Words Sample List (NOTE: I'm sorry I am unable to format the lists of words into columns for easier reading.) Sight Words: Colors colorless whit ivory yellow gold orange green olive turquoise azure pink crimson maroon lavender purple silver brown black mottled red ruby blue spotted Shape round oval triangular rectangular square shapeless Size immense massive large tiny small tall short wide long narrow lean Appearance round flat curved wave ruffled angular hollow tapered wiry lopsided freckled wrinkled striped bright clear glossy jeweled fiery shimmering muddy drab dark grimy worn cluttered fresh flowery transparent sheer opaque muscular handsome robust fragile pale perky lacy shadowy Hearing Words crash squawk crackle chime ring thud whine buzz laugh silence bump bark clink gurgle chuckle boom bleat hiss giggle cry thunder bray snort guffaw bawled bang blare bellow sing crow roar rumble growl hum chatter scream grate whimper mutter mumble screech slam stammer murmur wail shout clap snap whisper babble yell stomp rustle sigh cheer whistle jangle whir hush storm Taste Words oily rich bland ripe buttery hearty tasteless medicinal salty mellow sour fishy bitter sugary vinegary spicy bittersweet crisp fruity hot sweet savory tangy burnt Smell Words sweet piney acrid sickly scented pungent burnt stagnant fragrant spicy gaseous musty aromatic gamy putrid moldy perfumed fishy spoiled dry fresh briny sour damp earthy sharp rancid dank Touch (feeling) Words cool wet silky sandy cold slippery velvety gritty icy spongy smooth rough lukewarm mushy soft sharp tepid oily woolly thick warm waxy furry dry hot fleshy feathery dull steamy rubbery fuzzy thin sticky bumpy hairy fragile damp crisp leathery tender Sensory Emotion Poetry Now let's look at an exercise that helps writers understand the use of sensory words in poetry and write better in an objective or impersonal manner. Directions: 1. To write a sensory emotion poem a. Decide on an emotion b. List sensory words to describe the emotion (NOT how it causes a person to feel or to act, but the emotion as if it were alive) c. Use sensory words to write an emotion poem. (do not have to use the form of word listed) d. Be sure poem is about the emotion itself, objective, and does not include any reference to how the emotion causes a person to feel or to act e. Avoid using phrases such as "It is..." Avoid using linking verbs except as an occasional exception. Also avoid stating that the emotion sounds like or tastes like or feels like. Use information without stating the lazy references. 2. Find devices used in poem 3. Revise as needed to have at least four (4) devices in poem Examples of Sensory Emotion Poetry 1st poem: Example of sensory words listed: cold, coarse, twisted, screaming, musty, decay, gray, clammy Loneliness Cold, coarse, clammy fingers Creep their twisted way into the mind. As loneliness' piercing scream Echoes soundlessly into emptiness, Its musty, decaying path Leaves no room for coherent thought. (poetry devices used: alliteration, personification, enjambement, caesura, oxymoron) 2nd poem: Example of sensory words listed: red, roar, burning, acrid, bitter, freezing, ripping, rough, black Anger A red, ripping roar rages Overwhelming all, blasting, blistering, Leaving nothing but ashes. Anger's freezing, burning breath Brings bitterness and defeat. No hope can exist in Its acrid, arid hands. (poetry devices used: alliteration, personification, caesura, enjambement, oxymoron) Highlighted items: I asked for readers to send me examples of poetry with descriptions that cover at least three of the five senses. Some people emailed me the text rather than a link to the item in their ports. I'm sorry that using those wasn't feasible. Here are the best poems sent me by the poet sending me the links; although, I had to delete two that now appear as "invalid."
Feedback from January 29, issue: Submitted By: xladyleo I truly learned a lot from your newsletter. Thank you Grandma Jan I'm very glad that what I presented helped you learn. I keep stuffing that teacher back into the closet, but she keeps escaping. Now, she'll be harder than ever to control, but that's okay since I've grown rather fond of the ole girl. Submitted By: pendragon Oh, Viv you have such a wonderful sense of humor with your replies to the comments... Really awesome newsletter this week! You did an outstanding job and helped me see the difference between poetry and prose. Are you trying to say I'm funny, Orion? And here I thought I had everyone hanging on my every word because I was so aloof and knowledgable and sophisticated and all that stuff.  Although, I'm glad I helped you see the difference between poetry and prose.Submitted By: ruthann A Well written newsletter! Your poem "The Woman on the Peak" is excellently written! God Bless; RuthAnn "The Woman on the Peak" was written one of those times when I felt so isolated. The "good things" of life seemed just out of reach, as if I were on top of a cold mountain looking down on the green valley, unable to move. I'm glad you enjoyed the poem. Submitted By: booth Vivian: I really liked your take on Prose vs. Poetry. I am familiar with all but two of the poetic devices in your sample poem: Could you explain or define both caesura and enjambement? Caesura is the use of punctuation (needed punctuation) inside a line of poetry. The punctuation causes a pause or stop. Now, this is not punctuation at the end of a line. For example in the following lines of poetry, we find caesura: Lively, lovely bursts of light reflect in splashing, tumbling colors. The commas after "Lively" and "splashing" create caesura - the stopping or pausing within a line of poetry caused by needed punctuation. Now enjambement (or enjambment - both spellings are correct) is found when an idea continues from one line of poetry to the next without punctuation being needed at the end of one or more lines. Look at the following lines of poetry: The barren thoughts of a empty mind create a playground for mischief. No punctuation is needed after "mind" as the thought continues to the next line. That is enjambement. Hmmm... that's a thought: If punctuation isn't needed in poetry, how can there be caesura or enjambement? The next two comments are generally the same so I will address them together. Submitted By: 👼intuey   Great newsletter! I'm glad you talked about prose writing. I don't think it gets enough respect. My prose writings are some of my favoite writings, as they speak from the soul. L&L, Tracey Submitted By: Viv~ Thanks for another superb newsletter. I had never been quite sure about what exactly prose was, but now I am. Thanks again! I want to thank the writers above. I'm so glad that I was able to help both. Prose, technically, is anything written that isn't poetry, yet, it can be so much more. Submitted By: Cappucine  Viv, nice newsletter, but I cannot agree with one of your assertions, that 'punctuation for both prose and poetry is the same'. Poetry exists in many, many forms. Saying that poetry must be governed by the same punctuation rules as prose is limiting, and just plain incorrect. If you are correct, then many of my favourite poets are writing poetry *incorrectly*. Do you think that Picasso painted *incorrectly*? I use punctuation in poetry, or not, depending on the form and content of my poem . . . though with prose, I always use the *correct* punctuation, as I believe that good prose demands this. Poetry shouldn't. Respectfully, Cappucine Everyone has the right to disagree with anyone else. I don't claim to know everything there is to know; I just try to present what I've studied and learned over the years. Is all of it absolutely the only "accepted" way to do things? Definitely not. I give only give my education opinion, for what it's worth. If someone is writing for his/her own enjoyment, not trying to communicate with a reader, then punctuation doesn't matter in poetry. The problem comes when a reader is trying to decide what in the world the writer means. Using words as tools to communicate means we, as writers, need to do everything we can to be sure the reader knows what we mean. If we want to leave the reader confused, then, no, punctuation isn't ever needed. I'm sure that no matter what reasons I give for using punctuation in poetry, some will not use punctuation in poetry. So, enjoy the poetry that doesn't have punctuation; that, too, is a person's right. I, too, enjoy poetry without punctuation when the writer knew how to write so well that the meaning was apparent without punctuation. Personally, though, I want to be able to understand what the poet is trying to tell me without having to read and re-read to find where one idea stops and the next begins. I also want the reader of my poetry to know what I'm trying to say. Oh, as far as Picasso is concerned, the purpose of art and of writing are not the same. Submitted By: ♥Marvelous Melia♥  Viv, I really think that if I was taught poetry by you while I was in high school I would have appreciated it a lot earlier in life. Thanks for another lesson, Melia Wow! That's one of the nicest compliments anyone could give me, Melia. *holds the teacher down before she can grab and hug Melia* Submitted By: esprit Viv, just finished reading my first issue of the Poetry Newsletter. I don't write poetry, but I do enjoy reading it, so I thought I should learn something about it. I did. Thanks for the explanation defining prose. Thank you. I hope you find much beautiful poetry to read. Second reminder: Don't forget the contest. You need to provide feedback to be nominated.
Until next time, write and read beautiful poety. Viv |
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