1. You will need to know these terms all semester!
Poetry Terms
You will need to know these terms all semester!

2. Poetry
a literary genre characterized by meter, rhyme, alliteration, literary elements, or a combination of these things.

3. 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.

4. Allusion-
When a reference is made about someone/something not in the story.

5. Parallel Structure-
The repetition of similar grammatical or syntactical patterns; used for rhythm and balance in a sentence.

6. Assonance-
repeating vowel sounds; often creates a soothing effect Example: neck, met

7. Ballad-  
a narrative poem consisting of quatrains (stanza of 4 lines) Common elements include: 1. It often has an abrupt beginning Story is told through dialogue and action 3. It has simple language 4. The theme is often tragic 5. Repeating lines and phrases

8. a poem that does not rhyme
Blank Verse-
a poem that does not rhyme

9. Companion Poems-
Two poems that build upon the same topic/theme

10. 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.

11. Couplet-
two consecutive lines that rhyme.

12. Diction-
word choice

13. Epic Poem- a type of narrative poem that tells the story of a hero.

14. Extended Metaphor-
a metaphor that is extended throughout a poem

15. Free Verse-
a poem with no rhythmic meter or rhyme scheme

16. an exaggeration or overstatement
Hyperbole-
an exaggeration or overstatement
Example: I slept a thousand hours last night.

17. Imagery-
language that evokes one of the five senses: seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, touching.

18. Lyric Poem-
a short poem that expresses emotion.

19. Metaphor-
comparison NOT using “like” or “as”; created with “to be” verbs (is, are, was, were)
Example: These biscuits are rocks.

20. Mood-
the emotional atmosphere created by the author

21. Narrative Poem-
a long poem that tells a story.

22. Onomatopoeia-
when words imitate sounds Example: “meow” “bing”

23. Personification-
giving human characteristics to inanimate objects (not human) Example: The tress danced in the breeze

24. Repetition-
repeating lines or phrases
*** usually has a purpose!

25. Rhyme Scheme-
the rhyming pattern of a poem indicated with letters Example: abab

26. Simile-
comparison using “like” or “as” Example: These biscuits are as hard as rocks

27. Sonnet-
a 14-lined lyric poem that rhymes

28. Symbolism-
when an object represents a larger idea or thought. Example: rain representing sadness
-the color white= pure/innocent

29. Theme-
the general idea or insight about life that a writer wishes to express.

30. Tone-
the author’s attitude towards what he/she is writing. -The tone might be formal or informal, playful, ironic, optimistic, pessimistic, etc.