Poetry Terms ~Mark Strand, "Eating Poetry," Reasons for Moving, 1968 “Ink runs from the corners of my mouth. There is no happiness like mine. I have been eating poetry.” ~Mark Strand, "Eating Poetry," Reasons for Moving, 1968
Alliteration the repetition of a consonant sound to start a series of words Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. See Sally sell seashells by the seashore. The pleasant Prince pleaded for peace. Big bees buzz by Bob's bushes.
End Rhyme the repetition of similar sounds or words at the end of a line Maybe, Christmas doesn’t come from a store, Maybe, perhaps Christmas, means a little bit more!
Internal Rhyme the repetition of similar sounds or words within the line Its best, i guess, two profread carefuly for erors.
Explicate detailed explanation; must identify theme and speaker of poem
Hyperbole an extreme exaggeration Why does a boy who’s fast as a jet, Take all day—and sometimes two, to get to school?
Onomatopoeia use of words whose sound suggest their meaning
Oxymoron use of words that are opposites to express one meaning. Jumbo shrimp pretty ugly seriously funny
Refrain a line repeated at the end of each stanza Old McDonald had a farm…
Repetition a word or group of words repeated throughout a poem repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition
Rhyme repetition of words or syllables with similar sounds
Rhythm the sound or beat of the poem
Simile a comparison between unlike things using “like” or “as”. “The referee cost us the game. He was as blind as a bat!”
Metaphor a comparison where one thing is another; no “like” or “as” The Auburn Maroon Volleyball team were tigers last night, mauling their opponents.
Symbol a symbol is a person, a place, an object, or an action that stands for something beyond itself
Stanza the lines of a poem grouped by one main idea
“Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance.” ~Carl Sandburg