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Poetry: January 05, 2011 Issue [#4174]

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Poetry


 This week: Eight is Enough: Ottava Rima Stanza
  Edited by: Red Writing Hood <3 Author IconMail Icon
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1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
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6. Ask & Answer
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About This Newsletter




"Poetry heals the wounds inflicted by reason."

Novalis



"It's enormously cheering to get a good review by someone who seems to understand your work."

Kenneth Koch



"If I don't write to empty my mind, I go mad."

Lord Byron





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Letter from the editor



Eight is Enough: Ottava Rima Stanza


Its ancestral origins are thirteenth century Italian. In the past, this eight-lined family lived a bit in England, Spain and Portugal but never really travelled far from home. Its name means "rhyme in eights" (Padgett 124).

The Ottava Rima is more of a stanza form than a poetry form, meaning this would be a traditional stanza style option for a proposed piece of poetry. A poet could choose one or more Ottava Rima stanzas to create their poetic piece.


BRIEF HISTORY

Ottava Rima was born in the church, but moved beyond through the poetic hands of Boccaccio. There have been a few masters of this stanza throughout time: Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375)—considered by many as the first Ottava Rima master, Lord Byron (1788-1824)--the English master, and Kenneth Koch (1925-2002)--the modern master (Padgett 124).


MUST HAVES

--Must have either ten syllables per line or 5 iambic feet per line.
--Must use ABABABCC rhyme scheme (Miller 58-59).


COULD HAVES or What's The Poet's Choice In All This?

--Subject: any subject is fine (although historically used for epics and mock epics).
--Poem length: any amount of 8-line stanzas is fine, but traditionally it was used for long story-like works.


Of Note:


Variation observed: I have seen 11 syllable versions of this stanza form. I'd mention this type of variation with your piece if you choose to deviate from the traditional meter. Helpful raters and reviewers may not realize it was on purpose and may believe it an error.


Source Notes:



Padgett, Ron. The Teachers & Writers Handbook of Poetic Forms. 2nd. NY: T & W Books, 2000.

Williams, Miller (1986). Patterns of Poetry: An Encyclopedia of Forms. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University Press.


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Editor's Picks


Theme: Ottava Rima

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

Tale untold Open in new Window. [E]
Some memorials are almost unseen but they have a history all the same. Week 3 Ottava Rima
by Just an Ordinary Boo! Author Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

Once and Future King Open in new Window. [ASR]
Arthurian poem, my first attempt at a Double Ottava Rima.
by NaNoKit Author Icon

Ring Ring Open in new Window. [13+]
My entry for "static cling" contest.
by Michelle Jane Author Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 
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Have a question, answer, problem, solution, tip, trick, cheer, jeer, or extra million lying around?

If so, send it through the feedback section at the bottom of this newsletter OR click the little envelope next to my name Red Writing Hood <3 Author IconMail Icon and send it through email.


Comments on last month's newsletter:


By: Steve adding writing to ntbk. Author Icon
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Comment: Good explanation of the list poem and the list of list poems you displayed are all top of the line. Thanks for taking the time to edit this newsletter and always being available to be of help in the WDC. Write on! Copenator out!


By: scribbler Author Icon
Comment: That's really interesting! I've never heard of a list poem, but I've accidentally written a few.


By: Artemis Quill Author Icon
Comment: Great article. Artemis Quill


By: BIG BAD WOLF is Howling Author Icon
"Ode to Larry Cabby Open in new Window. [ASR]
Comment: Poems have their own meanings.



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