An Introduction to styles and structures
Is the basic rhythmic structure of a verse or lines in verse Many forms of poetry have their own specific verse structures
Common meter ◦ Shakespeare Unstressed syllable followed by stressed syllable Has five of these groups of syllables in each line. (Total of 10 syllables per line)
Pair of usually 2 lines that rhyme and share the same meter. Strange fits of passion have I Known: And I will dare to tell, But in the Lover’s ear alone, What once to me Befel.
Poetry that refrains from consistent meter patterns, rhyme, or any other musical pattern It does displays some elements of form. ◦ E.G. observe a convention of the poetic line.
Of sound, syllable, word, phrase, line, stanza or metical pattern. May reinforce or even substitute for meter.
A term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance. Argument is war: words are bullets that can inflict harm; the mind is a territory that can be disputed.
A figure of speech in which two unlike things are explicitly compared Argument is like war: words like bullets can inflict harm.
The repetition of consonant sounds in words near each other The rusted rifles rabid rattle rings For all to here, Feverish fear for the still silence it supplies. The fate for all those there.
The formation of words whose sound is imitative of the sound of the noise or action designated, such as hiss, buzz, and bang The bee’s are buzzing as they make sweet honey Busy in there little hive until Bang! It falls.
The attribution of a personal nature or character to inanimate objects or abstract notions. The chair hungered for it victims, Its thirst for blood was never sated. Not even when one was seated Waiting for the end.
Following examples from the handout
Address the Reader directly Have no specific structure conventions ◦ No rhyme/ meter Content focuses on thoughts and feelings
Form of Japanese poetry. Traditionally focused on nature and relies on creating images. Consists of three lines of specific length: 5 syllables 7 syllables 5 syllables
Themes usually focus on love or philosophy ◦ modern sonnets cover almost any topic. specific rhyming pattern and meter (iambic pentameter) Consist of 14 lines: 3 groups of 4 one final complement of 2
Arrangement is as important as conventional elements in conveying message. Picture has to be based on content of the poem. No rhyme or meter restrictions. No specific type of content
Breeze By Court Smith
Battle of Gallipoli A style coined from the poetic output of soldiers in the trenches in WW1 o No specific structural conventions o All about content – soldiers experience, horrors of war.
Edgar Allan Poe – The Raven A Refrain is a phrase, line, or group of lines that is repeated throughout a poem Often found at the end of each stanza
Form of short verse constructed so that the initial letters of each line taken consecutively form words. Content will describe the person or word.
*Remember, punctuation and indention is arbitrary (meaning it’s up to you, the author to put it in your poem)