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Heather Miller

Ms. Gilhuis
English 9F
3-3-16
Original Poem Commentary
I wrote the poem Life Survivors because it would remind me of my dad every
time he would push me to my limit. At first I would feel negative, but later I would realize
that these hard challenges would help me succeed in the future. His advice was a
stepping stone for me to be inspired and be an inspiration to others. For each advice he
gave me it served as a puzzle piece in order to put together my goals in life. The way I
look at my life now is like a match that I have to play. As I play each game, my goal is to
improve my skills so that I can hit my target. This can be used in life to help me
succeed. To me it doesnt matter if I win or loose, what matters most is how I played the
game. The most important thing is that I am ready for any challenges that may arise.
The structure of my poem is written in a sonnet form. It contains 14 lines with 4
stanzas. The first 3 stanzas are called quatrains because they contain 4 lines. The last
stanza is called a couplet because it has 2 lines. Part of the sonnet structure is an octet
and a sestet. An octet are the first two stanzas of the sonnet and it contains eight lines.
The sestet is the last quatrain- and the couplet of the sonnet and it contains six lines.

This sonnet is written in iambic pentameter. This means that each line contains ten
syllables or five iambs. Iambs are equivalent to feet. One iamb has at least one stressed
and one unstressed syllable. The rhyme scheme of this sonnet is ABABCDCDEFEFGG.
All the structures used are like pieces of a puzzle that help the poem come together.
The literary devices that I used for my poem is rhyme, rhythm, extended
metaphor and a volta. The rhyme scheme that I used is, ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This is a
part of the structure that is used in nearly all sonnets. I chose to put rhyme in my poem
because it creates a musical flow and it is pleasant to the ear. As you can see in these
two lines there is an end rhyme, Numerous wise choices have to be made and Or you
might be feeling very afraid. The rhythm presented in the poem is called iambic
pentameter. This type of rhythm is used in the works of William Shakespeare. All the
lines throughout the poem consist of only ten syllables. Lifes a match with rules to
keep you in play, as you can see in this line, it clearly shows the iambic pentameter
which creates consistency in its beat and a good quality towards the poem. I
intentionally used an extended metaphor to allow the audience to visualize a complex
idea to simpler ones. Somehow the main message will be given as a good impression
and an inspiration to the reader. Another literary device that would help the main
message be recognized by the reader is the volta. A volta is used in a sonnet to create a
shift in an idea or thought. This is usually shown at the end of the 12th line. A volta can

help the main message be understood by showing the outcome or consequence in the
actions that will be taken. In my poem the volta can be found at the 9th line. In the first 8
lines my poem interprets the challenges and obstacles that I need to face in my
everyday life. It tells that the obstacles will be hard to surpass. The volta shows that
whenever you overcome your challenges bravely, it will guarantee a better future. In
conclusion these literary devices help construct the poem to be more appealing to the
reader.

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