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What makes a poem … a poem? - Melissa Kovacs

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146,315 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

What exactly makes a poem … a poem? Poets themselves have struggled with this question, often using metaphors to approximate a definition. Is a poem a little machine? A firework? An echo? A dream? Melissa Kovacs shares three recognizable characteristics of most poetry.

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Melissa Kovacs
  • Director Richard O'Connor
  • Producer Richard O'Connor
  • Animator Taisiya Zaretskaya, Phil Powers
  • Illustrator Taisiya Zaretskaya
  • Composer Gareth Averill
  • Associate Producer Jessica Ruby
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

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