How does the structure of the two poems differ? A Emerson's poem has an ABAB rhyme scheme, while Whitman's poem has no regular rhyme scheme.
B Emerson's poem has multiple stanzas, while Whitman's poem is a sonnet.
C Emerson's poem has no set rhyme scheme, while Whitman's poem uses repetition.
D The rhythm of Emerson's poem varies in each stanza, while Whitman's poem has a
set rhythm.
How is the structure of both poems similar?
A Both use stanzas to develop meaning.
B Both use questions to emphasize certain points.
C Both use repetition to enhance meaning.
D Both use rhyme to draw attention to sounds.
Compare the structures of the two poems. How do these different structures affect the style
of each poem?
A Emerson's poem has a fixed number of lines, and it is light and carefree. Whitman's poem
uses rhyme, and it is humorous.
B Emerson's poem is an elegy, and it is complex and serious. Whitman's poem is a lyric
poem, and it is imaginative.
C Emerson's poem has unanswered questions, making it like a speech. Whitman's poem
repeats ideas for emphasis, making it monotonous.
D Emerson's poem has regular stanzas, making it formal and controlled. Whitman's poem is
unstructured free verse, giving it a musical quality. Emerson's poem is made of four-line stanzas. Whitman's poem is one long stanza. Which best
explains why the poets likely made the structural choices they did?
A Emerson intended to give his serious ideas a lighter look. Whitman wanted his light
subject matter, singing, to look more serious.
B Emerson wanted to emphasize his fixed rhyme scheme. Whitman wanted to emphasize
the forward flow of his rhythmic language.
C Emerson chose to display the variety of his language. Whitman chose to highlight the
repetition of the word "singing."
D Emerson wanted his rhythms to sound like soldiers marching. Whitman wanted his
rhythms to sound like workmen singing.

Read the sentences below. Then complete the activity that follows.
In poetry, a stanza sometimes develops a single idea related to the main topic of a larger poem. Emerson and Whitman both follow this practice in structuring their poems. Write a paragraph supporting this statement. Cite at least two pieces of evidence from Emerson's multi-stanza poem and Whitman's single-stanza poem.