The document provides an overview of haiku poetry, noting that it originated in Japan in the 17th century as a lighter, more playful form of poetry that uses subtlety over specificity. It explains that a haiku consists of 17 total syllables structured in lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables and illustrates this with an example poem. Some key points are that the syllable structure is a Western interpretation and the true beauty is in the spirit conveyed rather than strict adherence to syllables.

1. theHaiku
Umm...Didn’t we learn this in 3rd grade?!
Tr aining Session #1 - Mary Macin

2. Haiku Basics
Originated in Japan around
the 17th century
Considered a “lighter” form
of poetry; often uses wit and
wordplay to get point across
Subtly is valued over
specificity

3. Anatomy of a Haiku
The haiku consists of 17 total
syllables:
5 syllables in Line 1
7 syllables in Line 2
5 syllables in Line 3
Green and speckled legs,
Hop on logs and lily pads
Splash in cool water.

4. Anatomy of a Syllable
Syllables refer more to ‘speech sounds’
than to specific blocks of letters
[Very] basically, a word is broken into You Try
syllables where there is a hard break in !
the way it is spoken
Deve l op m
e nt
Water = “Wa” and “ter”
Syllable = “Syl” and “la” and “ble”
Training = “Trai” and “ning”

5. Things to Consider
The Japanese do not have the
same ‘syllable’ structure we
do, so the “5,7,5” rule is a
western construct
True beauty of a haiku is not
in the number of its syllables
but in the spirit of its idea

6. Now it’s your turn...
Time to practice!