Figurative Language
giving non-human objects human-like characteristics
personification
a central idea about life or human nature
theme
the repeated pattern formed by meter that brings out a musical quality
rhythm
the core unit of a poem
lines
repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words
alliteration
comparison using like or as of two unlike things with one similarity
simile
the attitude the speaker has toward the poem
tone
a unit of sound
foot
a group of lines that forms a unit of a poem
stanza
repetition of consonants within or at the end of a word
consonance
comparison of two unlike things directly
metaphor
conveys meaning beyond the literal
figurative language
the repetition of a regular rhythmic unit
meter
does not have regular meter or rhyme patterns
free verse
specialized vocabulary used to make things stand out
word choice
an idea developed over a number of lines or through multiple examples
extended metaphor
descriptive words or phrases used to recreate sensory experiences
imagery
one stressed syllable followed by one unstressed syllable
iamb
the occurrence of identical or similar sounds at the ends of words
rhyme
a visual pause within a stanza that signifies interruption in thought
line breaks
referencing something well-known person, event, or piece of literature
allusion
a statement that seems to contradict itself but suggests a truth
paradox
punctuation used to show an interruption or brief shift in thought
em dashes
words presented in reverse order to contribute to rhyme scheme
inverted syntax
repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words
assonance