Rhythm & rhyme

Definitely rhythm and rhyme are poetic terms that can be identified in “Daddy” by Sylvia Plath. I think this poem would be fun to teach because it’s not restricted by any sort of structure (hence, free verse). This poem is peppered with rhyme and rhythm. As I read this poem, I could not help but think of a nursery rhyme. Obviously, “Daddy” being way deeper than any nursery rhymes. I think the best way to teach this poem would be having different students read a stanza out loud, perhaps several times. I would want them to hear the rhythm and pick up on the rhyme while they are at it. I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention some of the iambic verse in this poem. My favorite is line 1, “you do not do, you not do.” In teaching the rhyme and rhythm in this poem I would definitely focus on the sound and I would first teach my students to hear and feel the poem. Maybe we can even breakout in song. I would then hope that this would make it easier for them to understand how these poetic terms work in “Daddy.” I guess I would try to make it engaging for my students to appreciate poetry in all its conventions.