You will need to know these terms all semester! Poetry Terms You will need to know these terms all semester!
Poetry a literary genre characterized by meter, rhyme, alliteration, literary elements, or a combination of these things.
Alliteration- two or more consecutive words with the same initial sound Example: Sarah saw several cats walking down the street. Example: Funny photos filled the pages.
Allusion- When a reference is made about someone/something not in the story.
Parallel Structure- The repetition of similar grammatical or syntactical patterns; used for rhythm and balance in a sentence.
Assonance- repeating vowel sounds; often creates a soothing effect Example: neck, met
Ballad- a narrative poem consisting of quatrains (stanza of 4 lines) Common elements include: 1. It often has an abrupt beginning 2. Story is told through dialogue and action 3. It has simple language 4. The theme is often tragic 5. Repeating lines and phrases
a poem that does not rhyme Blank Verse- a poem that does not rhyme
Companion Poems- Two poems that build upon the same topic/theme
Consonance- repeating consonant sounds Example: While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, as if someone gently rapping, rapping on my chamber door.
Couplet- two consecutive lines that rhyme.
Diction- word choice
Epic Poem- a type of narrative poem that tells the story of a hero.
Extended Metaphor- a metaphor that is extended throughout a poem
Free Verse- a poem with no rhythmic meter or rhyme scheme
an exaggeration or overstatement Hyperbole- an exaggeration or overstatement Example: I slept a thousand hours last night.
Imagery- language that evokes one of the five senses: seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, touching.
Lyric Poem- a short poem that expresses emotion.
Metaphor- comparison NOT using “like” or “as”; created with “to be” verbs (is, are, was, were) Example: These biscuits are rocks.
Mood- the emotional atmosphere created by the author
Narrative Poem- a long poem that tells a story.
Onomatopoeia- when words imitate sounds Example: “meow” “bing”
Personification- giving human characteristics to inanimate objects (not human) Example: The tress danced in the breeze
Repetition- repeating lines or phrases *** usually has a purpose!
Rhyme Scheme- the rhyming pattern of a poem indicated with letters Example: abab
Simile- comparison using “like” or “as” Example: These biscuits are as hard as rocks
Sonnet- a 14-lined lyric poem that rhymes
Symbolism- when an object represents a larger idea or thought. Example: rain representing sadness -the color white= pure/innocent
Theme- the general idea or insight about life that a writer wishes to express.
Tone- the author’s attitude towards what he/she is writing. -The tone might be formal or informal, playful, ironic, optimistic, pessimistic, etc.