Poetry
Prose vs. Poetry Most everyday writing is in prose form. The language of prose is typically straightforward without much decoration. Sentences are arranged into paragraphs. There are no line breaks. Sentences run to the right margin. The first word of each sentence is capitalized. Prose looks like large blocks of words.
Prose vs. Poetry Poetry is typically reserved for expressing something special in an artistic way. The language of poetry tends to be more expressive or decorated, with comparisons, rhyme, and rhythm contributing to a different sound and feel. Ideas are contained in lines that may or may not be sentences. Lines are arranged in stanzas. Poetry uses line breaks for various reasons—to follow a formatted rhythm or to emphasize an idea. Lines can run extremely long or be as short as one word or letter. Traditionally, the first letter of every line is capitalized, but many modern poets choose not to follow this rule strictly. The shape of poetry can vary depending on line length and the intent of the poet.
Types of Poetry Narrative : This type of poem tells a story. Some examples are: ballads, epics, and verse romances. Lyric : This type of poem expresses thoughts and feelings of a single speaker. Some examples are: odes, haiku, elegies, and sonnets. Dramatic : This type of poem uses the techniques of drama to present the speech of one or more characters.
Elements of Poetry Meter: Meter is the regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in each poetic line. Sound Devices : Sound devices are elements that enhance a poem's meaning by adding a musical quality to the language. Imagery : Imagery is the language that uses images: words or phrases that appeal to one or more of the sense of sight, hearing touch, taste or smell. Figurative Language : Whenever you describe something by comparing it with something else, you are using figurative language.
Sound Devices Rhyme: repetition of sounds at the ends of words, as in top and drop. Alliteration: repetition of sounds at the beginning of a word, as in: She sells seashells by the seashore. Consonance: repetition of final consonant sounds, as in pull and fall. Assonance: repetition of similar vowel sounds, as in low and tow. Onomatopoeia: use of a word that sounds like what it means, as in snap, crackle, pop.
Figures of Speech Simile : compares two apparently unlike things by using like or as, as in: As welcome as a bacon sandwich at a Bar Mitzvah Metaphor : compares two apparently unlike things without using like or as, as in: She was a couch potato in the gravy boat of life, flopping dejectedly on the sofa. You are what you eat.
Figures of Speech Personification : gives human traits to something nonhuman, as in: The sun just had a nasty day.
Figures of Speech Oxymoron : combines two contradictory words, as in wise fool, bitter sweet, terribly good An oxymoron often expresses a paradox : an idea that seems contradictory but is actually true. “I can resist anything but temptation.”- Oscar Wilde “I must be cruel to be kind.” It is meant to be more than just witty or amusing. The paradoxes used in literature often sum up the main ideas of the work.