Poetry Terms
Poetry A type of literature in which words are carefully chosen and arranged to create certain effects. Poets use a variety of sound devices, imagery, and figurative language to express emotions and ideas. Ex.: It was many and many a year ago, In a kingdom by the sea That a maiden lived there whom you may know By the name of Annabel Lee
Stanza A group of two or more lines that form a unit in a poem, similar to a paragraph in prose writing. Ex.: So if, my dear, there sometimes seems to be Old bridges breaking between you and me.
Types of Rhyme External/end rhyme – rhyming words come at the ends of lines; most common type of rhyme Ex.: Never fear. We may let the scaffolds fall Confident that we have built our wall. Internal rhyme – rhyme that occurs within a line of poetry Ex.: Can ever dissever my soul from the soul
Rhythm A pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry. Poets use rhythm to bring out the musical quality of language, to emphasize ideas, and to create moods. “Thĕn from thĕ gladdĕned multĭtude wĕnt up ă joyoŭs yell.”
Repetition A technique in which a sound, word, phrase, or line is repeated for emphasis or unity. Repetition often helps to reinforce meaning and create an appealing rhythm. Ex.: Cannon to the right of them Cannon to the left of them Cannon in front of them
Figurative Language When words are used in an imaginative way to express ideas that are not literally true. Ex.: Metaphor – “He’s a bear in the morning.” Simile – “She is as cold as ice.” Idiom – “It’s raining cats and dogs.” Personification – “The book spoke to me.”
Alliteration The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginnings of words Alliteration gives emphasis to certain words (like repetition) Ex.: “Over the cobbles he clattered and clashed,”
Personification The giving of human qualities to an animal, object, or idea Ex.: The wind whispered through the trees.
Metaphor A figure of speech that compares seemingly unlike things. Ex.: The road was a ribbon of moonlight.
Imagery Consists of words and phrases that appeal to a reader’s five senses. Ex.: A boy on a lake lifts his oars
Mood The feeling created in the reader by a literary work. Ex.: sadness And so, all the night tide, I lie down by the side Of my darling, my darling, my life and my bride In her sepulcher by the sea
Tone The writer’s attitude toward his/her audience and/or subject Ex.: impending doom “There was death at every window And hell at one dark window.”
Free Verse Poetry without regular patterns of rhyme and rhythm. Ex.: Yesterday, I lay awake in the palm of the night. A soft rain stole in, unhelped by any breeze, And when I saw the silver glaze on the windows, I started with A, with Ackerman, as it happened,
Interpretive Meaning An explanation of the theme of a poem using your own words. Ex.: The Highwayman is both a hero and a criminal. Therefore, the reader can admire him, although he is a thief.
Traditional & Irregular Traditional poetry uses a regular pattern of rhyme Ex.: Tell me tales of a lilied pool Asleep beneath the sun Tell me of woodlands deep and cool, When chuckling satyrs run Irregular poetry is written in free verse Ex.: old age sticks up Keep Off signs
Epic & Lyric Epic Poem – A long narrative poem about the adventures of a hero whose actions reflect the ideals and values of a nation or a group of people. Ex. “The Highwayman” Lyric Poem – Poem that presents the personal thoughts and feelings of a single speaker. Ex. “Annabel Lee”
Ballad poetry A type of narrative poem that tells a story and was originally meant to be sung or recited. Ex. “The Highwayman” And the highwayman came riding- riding-riding- The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door.
Narrative poetry Poetry that tells a story. Contains characters, a setting and a plot. Ex. “Casey at the Bat” And when the dust had lifted, and they saw what had occurred, There was Blakey safe at second, and Flynn a-huggin’ third.
Graphical A form of visual poetry where the type-face is laid out to present a pictorial representation of the subject of the poem.