POETRY TERMS ENGLISH 9

various sets of "rules" followed by poems of certain types. The rules may describe such aspects as the rhythm or meter of the poem, its rhyme scheme, or its use of alliteration. form

words written in a poetic manner verse

the basic rhythmic structure of a line of verse meter

the long and short patterns of stressed and unstressed syllables in a poem rhythm

an open form of poetry. It does not use consistent meter patterns, rhyme, or any other musical pattern. It tends to follow the rhythm of natural speech. free verse

a grouped set of lines within a poem the “paragraphs” of a poem stanza

a stanza of exactly four lines, often with an alternating rhyme pattern quatrain

a pair of lines that rhyme and have the same meter couplet

a phrase that is repeated at intervals throughout a poem similar to the chorus of a song refrain

the skillful use of sound by poets to reinforce the meaning or experience of the poem sound devices

a poet’s style of writing determined by the choice of words and phrases which separates “good” writing from “bad” writing diction

a word agreeing with another in vowel and final sounds rhyme

the pattern of rhymes at the end of each line of a poem or song. It is usually referred to by using letters to indicate which lines rhyme; lines designated with the same letter all rhyme with each other rhyme scheme

a.k.a.: full rhyme; true rhyme; exact rhyme when two words both have the exact same vowel and end sounds perfect rhyme

a.k.a.: slant rhyme; half rhyme when two words are used with the intention of forming a rhyme, even though their sounds don’t match exactly imperfect rhyme

lines ending with words that sound the same end rhyme

a.k.a.: middle rhyme a line that has words rhyming within it internal rhyme

the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words alliteration

the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning, middle, or ends of words. This repetition often takes place in quick succession such as in pitter, patter. consonance

the repetition of vowel sounds within lines of poetry assonance

a situation where there is a mixture of harsh and inharmonious sounds; unpleasant, nails- on-a-chalkboard type of sounds cacophony

sound written in word form onomatopoeia

repeating a word or phrase for effect; typically, a single occurrence in the poem—not continued throughout the piece (like a refrain). repetition

the main idea of a poem; the universal idea that applies to all people of all times. theme

the narrative voice of a poem that speaks of his or her situation or feelings; this is NOT the author of the poem. speaker

an attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience tone

the emotional atmosphere of a literary piece How does the poem make you feel? mood

how the author reveals a character to the reader characterization

when an author reveals traits about a character in a straight-forward manner direct characterization

when an author only reveals the traits about a character through the character’s speech, actions, and appearance indirect characterization

a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance. It does not describe in detail the person or thing to which it refers. allusion

language that uses words or expressions with a meaning that is different from the literal interpretation figurative language

vivid details that appeal to the five senses imagery

a word or phrase that has a meaning different than its literal meaning figure of speech

the clash between what actually happens or is said as opposed to what was expected irony

a figure of speech in which a thing, an idea or an animal is given human attributes personification

a figure of speech in which the poet addresses an absent person, an abstract idea, or a thing apostrophe

an exaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis hyperbole

a figure of speech in which two opposite ideas are joined to create an effect oxymoron

a statement or situation that contradicts itself and still seems true somehow paradox

an item that is what it is, but represents a larger more significant idea as well symbol

a direct comparison using “like” or “as” simile

a comparison between two things that are unrelated but share some common characteristics metaphor

a comparison between two unlike things that continues throughout a series of sentences in a paragraph or lines in a poem extended metaphor