POETRY TERMS

ALLITERATION (FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE) Repeating the same FIRST consonant sound in several words. Ex: Fragrant flowers, dog days, cool as a cucumber

ASSONANCE (FIG. LANG.) The repetition of vowel sounds in several words. Ex: “Quick fix” Ex: “Around Town”

CONSONANCE (FIG. LANG.) the repetition of the same consonant two or more times in short succession, Ex: "pitter patter" "all mammals named Sam are clammy".

ONOMATOPOEIA (FIG. LANG.) Using words that sound like what they mean; words that express sound. Examples: buzz, click-clack, woof, hiss

IMAGERY (FIG. LANG.) Imagery is one of a poet’s most powerful tools. Using sensory details, poets create pictures (imagery) in the readers’ mind.

SIMILE (FIG. LANG.) A comparison using like or as Example:  …The whistle of a boat Calls and cries endlessly Like some lost child

METAPHOR (FIG. LANG.) A comparison not using like or as Example:  The days are nouns; touch them  The hands are churches that worship the world

DENOTATION The dictionary meaning of a word.

CONNOTATION The associations called up by a word that goes beyond its dictionary meaning. Poets, especially, tend to use words rich in connotation.

DICTION Refers to an author’s choice of words and their connotations. Ex: Using ‘gleeful’ instead of ‘glad…’

SYNTAX Refers to the sentence structure; the way they put their poems together. Does the writer use compound sentences, simple sentences? Are they choppy? Etc.

ALLUSION A reference to something that exists outside of a literary work. Poets often use allusion to draw connections in their readers’ minds.

RHYME SCHEME A regular pattern of end rhymes. Ex: Roses are redA Violets are blueB Sugar is sweetC And so are you B

FREE VERSE Poetry that does not have a regular rhyme scheme.

STANZA The grouping of lines in a poem A division or unit of a poem that is repeated in the same form-- either with similar or identical patterns or rhyme and meter, or with variations from one stanza to another. Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx  _Stanza! Xxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx

COUPLET A pair of lines in a meter of poetry. Usually refers to two rhyming lines. Ex: True wit is nature to advantage dress'd; What oft was thought, but ne'er so well express'd. — Alexander Pope

RHYTHM A musical quality based on repetition. When you talk about the beat you hear when you read a poem, you are describing its rhythm.

REPETITION repeating the same word or phrase for emphasis

TONE The author’s attitude, stated or implied, toward a subject. Some possible attitudes are pessimism, optimism, earnestness, seriousness, bitterness, humorous, and joyful. An author’s tone can be revealed through choice of words and details.

MOOD is the feeling a piece of literature arouses in the reader: happy, sad, peaceful, etc. Mood is the overall feeling of the piece, or passage. For example, an author may create a mood of mystery around a character or setting but may treat that character or setting in an ironic, serious, or humorous tone

HAIKU A three line poem syllables The wind speaks to me It whispers soft in the night Listen, what does it say?

LYRIC POEM Expresses a speaker’s emotions or thoughts. It does not tell a story. Lyric poems usually convey a single strong emotion.

NARRATIVE POEM A poem that tells a complete story. Ex: Twas the Night Before Christmas

SONNET A 14 line lyric poem—many by Shakespeare! Most sonnets are written with a rhythm called iambic pentameter and have a regular rhyme scheme.

ODE (traditionally) a long lyric poem that considers a serious subject and is written in a dignified style

BALLAD songlike poem that tells a story– generally has a regular pattern of rhyme and a refrain

EPIC a long narrative poem that relates the deeds of a hero (The Iliad/The Odyssey)