Pippa

Hello, this is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Neil. And I'm Pippa. In this episode we're discussing poetry. For some, poetry is what you study at school, then forget, while for others it becomes an important part of their life. Have you ever read or written any poetry, Neil?

A good place to hear poetry is an open mic night, a live event where anyone is allowed to stand up on stage to sing or recite poems. Here BBC reporter Maria recites her open mic poem about a friend who suffered a stroke for BBC World Service programme People Fixing the World. This poem, I wrote it about a friend who I love dearly. It's called Stroke.

For Maria, poetry has the power to heal emotions and touch your soul, meaning to affect you deeply on an emotional or spiritual level. In this episode we'll hear more about the positive power of poetry and as usual we'll learn some useful new words and phrases. And remember you'll find all the vocabulary plus a quiz and worksheet on our website bbclearningenglish.com.

Liv's poem is based on a study into biodiversity. It's a complex research project that many find hard to understand. Here Liv discusses this with Myra Anubi for BBC World Service programme People Fixing the World. And Liv, I mean, so what you've identified is that there is an issue around the communication of science. Yes, a lot of this jargon is really hard to understand or a lot of the science is quite impenetrable to normal people. So it's instantly a turn off.

Liv's poem gave Kat goose bumps, meaning she was so emotionally affected that the hairs on her skin stood up, making tiny bumps. Maybe poetry can't fix everything, but for Kat it's making an impact for good. Now, what was the answer to your question, Neil? Well, you seemed very clear, Pippa, that when you use a string of words beginning with the same sound, it's called alliteration. And you're absolutely right. Phew.

And finally, if you get goosebumps, the hairs on your skin stand up because you're cold, emotionally affected or afraid. Once again, our six minutes are up, but remember, you'll find lots more episodes as well as a quiz and worksheet for this one on our website, bbclearningenglish.com. See you again soon, but for now, it's goodbye. Goodbye.

I do think you're significantly younger looking.

But what would you do if one of us, Josh calls you, sorry, Josh.

Josh calls you both and he says, sorry, I can't come in today.

I'm too hot.

It was.

When this airs.

Jasmine.

Everyone says she's the next big thing.

Really?

Why?

Why do you think Jasmine?

SR are backing Jasmine.

I've decided on behalf of all of us.

No, they're all just like the classics.