Need help with this:

'Explain how rhyme, rhythm, and other sound effect such as alliteration, assonance, and onomatopoeia, can contribute to a poem's mood. Support your ideas with examples from the two poems 'American Hero' and 'The Gift'

Thanks
-MC

The poem, “Combing,” by Gladys Cardiff gets its rhythm from different poetic tools. There was a lot of repetition used in the poem to tie it together. As seen in the first line of the poem, “Bending, I bow my head”, alliteration was used. Secondly, the poem contained assonances, like in line 20 of the poem: “A comb made out of bone.” Lastly, repeating certain words or phrases in a poem give it more importance or bind related thoughts together. In “Combing”, Cardiff repeated words such as “comb” and “braid” several times to put weight on them and to put an image in the reader’s mind.

The mood of Essex Hemphill’s poem “American Hero” is of excitement in the beginning; you can completely picture what’s going on as the player shoots for the hoop. The last few lines switch from talking about the game to thoughts about racism. “American Hero” is full of onomatopoeia, especially when the game is being described. That’s one reason the scene is so easy to picture. The rhythm is steady and the structure of the poem is free verse so the words don’t rhyme.

Is this alright?

Thanks
-MC

*sorry, I meant the poems 'American Hero' and 'Combing'

-MC

Be sure you read each poem aloud -- better yet, read it aloud to someone -- with feeling!

Listen to the sounds and how they strengthen the poet's message.

Then write up what you learn.

Not bad!

Make sure the two paragraphs are clearly separated.

Rephrase so that there are no instances of "you" or any of its forms anywhere in the write-up.

There are places where you need to add specific examples. Remember that when you write about poetry, you need to give line numbers for whatever word, phrase, or line(s) to which you are referring.

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/literature.htm
Read the paragraph starting with "When quoting from a poem..." and see the examples in the box below that.

To understand how rhyme, rhythm, and other sound effects contribute to a poem's mood, let's start by discussing each of these elements individually:

1. Rhyme: Rhyme is the repetition of similar sounds at the end of words. It can create a sense of harmony and musicality, impacting the poem's mood. Rhyme can be used to evoke different emotions. For example, words that have soothing or melodious rhymes can create a calm and peaceful mood, while harsh or dissonant rhymes can generate tension or unease.

2. Rhythm: Rhythm refers to the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables, which creates a sense of beat or musical flow in a poem. By manipulating the rhythm, poets can influence the pace and mood of the piece. A fast and energetic rhythm might create an exciting or exhilarating mood, whereas a slow and steady rhythm can convey relaxation or reflection.

3. Alliteration: Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. It adds a musical quality to the poem and can enhance its mood. For instance, alliteration can create a sense of playfulness or whimsy, making the poem feel lighthearted or joyful. Conversely, if the alliteration is more harsh or strong, it can contribute to a darker or more solemn mood.

4. Assonance: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within words. This technique provides a pleasing musicality and can impact the poem's mood. For example, the repetition of long vowel sounds can create a serene or peaceful mood, while repeated short vowel sounds can add a sense of urgency or excitement.

5. Onomatopoeia: Onomatopoeia refers to words that imitate or resemble the sound they represent. It can intensify the atmosphere and evoke a specific mood in a poem. By using words that explicitly mimic sounds, poets can engage the reader's senses and create a vivid, immersive experience. For instance, onomatopoeic words like "buzz," "crash," or "whisper" can bring liveliness and contribute to the mood of a poem.

Now, let's apply these concepts to the poems you mentioned, 'American Hero' and 'The Gift,' to see how these sound effects contribute to their respective moods. Unfortunately, I do not have access to specific lines or content from those poems. Therefore, I invite you to provide excerpts or specific details from the poems so that I can assist you further.