Poetry vs. Prose - your take!
Write a short poem and a short prose paragraph about the same subject, illustrate both, then compare rhythm, imagery, and structure.
Step-by-step guide to Poetry vs. Prose — Your Take
Step 1
Gather your materials and find a comfy bright spot to work.
Step 2
Pick one subject to write about such as your pet your favorite tree or a rainy day.
Step 3
Brainstorm five words feelings or quick images about your subject and write them down.
Step 4
Write a short poem of 4 to 8 lines about the subject using some of your brainstorm words.
Step 5
Write a short prose paragraph of 3 to 6 sentences about the same subject using some of the brainstorm words.
Step 6
Draw an illustration that matches the mood or lines of your poem on one sheet of paper.
Step 7
Draw a different illustration that matches the scene or details of your paragraph on another sheet.
Step 8
Read your poem aloud slowly and listen for repeated sounds beats or a musical flow.
Step 9
Read your paragraph aloud slowly and listen for how the sentences move and change.
Step 10
Write one short sentence comparing the rhythms of the poem and the paragraph.
Step 11
Write one short sentence comparing the imagery you used in the poem and in the paragraph.
Step 12
Write one short sentence comparing the structure of the poem and the paragraph looking at lines sentences and layout.
Step 13
Post your finished poem page your prose page and your three comparison sentences on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use instead of separate sheets, markers, or DIY.org if we don't have them?
Use two pages of a spiral notebook for your poem page and prose page, colored pencils or crayons instead of markers for the two illustrations, and photograph or scan your finished pages to upload to DIY.org or save them in a folder if you don't have internet access.
What should we do if we get stuck during the 'brainstorm five words' step or the poem doesn't sound musical when we read it aloud?
Set a three-minute timer to free-write words for the brainstorming step, circle the strongest five, then read your 4–8 line poem aloud slowly while tapping a finger to the beats to hear repeated sounds and adjust words for better musical flow.
How can we change the activity for younger kids or make it more challenging for older kids?
For younger children, reduce the brainstorming to three words, have an adult scribe the 3–6 sentence paragraph while the child draws both illustrations, and for older kids, expand the poem beyond 8 lines, add specific sensory details to the paragraph, and deepen the three comparison sentences with literary terms.
How can we extend or personalize the project after finishing the poem, paragraph, and comparison sentences?
Make a small booklet by stapling your poem page, prose page, and both illustrations together, add collage or color wash to match the poem's mood, record a short video of you reading both pieces to emphasize rhythm, and then post the pages and video on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to write and compare a short poem and a short prose paragraph
Prose vs. Poetry: What is the difference?
4 Videos
Prose vs. Poetry: What is the difference?
4th Grade The Difference Between a Poem, a Drama and a Prose | Arizona Academic Standard 4.RL.5
Prose vs Poetry
Forms of Writing: Poem, Drama & Prose - Differences, Fun & Educational Activities for Children
Facts about creative writing for kids
📏 Iambic pentameter (used by Shakespeare) typically has 10 syllables per line arranged as five iambs.
👁️ Imagery uses the five senses—sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch—to make writing feel vivid and real.
🎨 Many poets and authors team up with illustrators; picture books often pair short poems and prose with images.
🔁 Prose is written in sentences and paragraphs, while poetry uses line breaks, rhythm, and white space to shape meaning.
📝 The oldest known surviving poem, the Epic of Gilgamesh, is over 3,500 years old.
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