Poetry Terms
Prose All forms of writing that are not in verse form. The term may be used to describe very different forms of writing – short stories as well as essays Ex. “She was a large woman with a large purse that had everything in it but hammer and nails.”
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.
Refrain One or more lines repeated in each stanza of a poem. Ex.: “In this kingdom by the sea” in “Annabel Lee”
True/Exact Rhyme Rhyme in which the stressed vowels and all following consonants and vowel sounds are identical, but the consonants preceding the rhyming vowels are different. Ex.: chain, brain; soul, pole.
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
Meter the regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables. Ex.: The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees. The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas.
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.