DEFINITIONS
rhyme scheme
What is the pattern of rhyming lines named at the end of each line with letters of the alphabet?
(Mother to Son – Langston Hughes)
“Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.”
This line is an example of what type of figurative language? Explain.
What is a metaphor?
“The stars danced across the night sky.”
Identify the figurative language AND define it.
What is personification? (Giving human qualities to non-human things)
In a rhyme scheme, what does it mean if two lines are both labeled “A”?
What is the lines rhyme with each other?
(Mother to Son)
“And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.”
What is the meaning of the word “crystal” as used in the line?
What is smooth, easy, or perfect?
sonnet
What is a poem with 14 lines and a set rhyme scheme, often about love (Shakespearean/English or Petrarchan/Italian)?
(Hanging Fire – Audre Lorde)
“and momma’s in the bedroom / with the door closed”
What is the speaker’s tone? Explain.
What is worried / anxious / frustrated?
“His words were daggers aimed at my heart.”
Identify the figurative language AND define or describe it.
What is a metaphor? (A direct comparison between two unlike things)
What is one major difference between a sonnet and a villanelle?
“The leaves danced in the wind.”
What is the meaning of “danced” as used in the line?
What is moved lightly and quickly in a graceful way?
villanelle
What is a 19-line poem with repeated lines and a set rhyme scheme?
(Mother to Son – Langston Hughes)
“Don’t you turn back.
Don’t you set down on the steps.
Don’t you fall now…”
What literary device is shown through the lines? Explain.
What is repetition?
“The thunder was as loud as a roaring lion.”
Identify the figurative language AND define it.
What is a simile? (A comparison using like or as)
A sonnet often includes a “volta,” or shift in thinking, near the end.
What does “shift” mean as used in this description?
What is a change in idea, tone, or direction?
(New Colossus)
“Give me your tired, your poor…”
What is the meaning of “give” as used in this line?
What is to welcome or accept people, not literally hand something over?
volta
What is the turning point or shift in a poem?
In "Subject to Change", why are lines repeated throughout the poem? What type of poem does this structure identify? Explain.
What is a villanelle? (Repetition is a key feature of villanelles, it emphasizes the theme)
“I’ve told you a million times to clean your room!”
Identify the figurative language AND define it.
What is hyperbole? (An exaggeration not meant to be taken literally)
Why might a poet choose a villanelle structure instead of a sonnet?
What is to emphasize repetition, create musical rhythm, or reinforce a central idea/emotion?
(Hanging Fire – Audre Lorde)
What is the speaker’s tone in “and momma’s in the bedroom / with the door closed”?
What is frustrated, anxious, or lonely?
connotation
What is language that communicates a feeling or idea beyond the literal meaning?
A poem like the one that begins “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” has 14 lines, a set rhyme scheme, and often includes a shift in meaning.
What type of poem is this? Explain.
What is a sonnet?
“The silky, soft sand slipped through my fingers.”
Identify the figurative language AND define it.
What is imagery? (Language that appeals to the five senses)
Why might a poet choose a sonnet structure instead of free verse?
What is to organize ideas in a structured way, express strong emotions in a focused form, or follow a traditional poetic pattern (often about love or reflection)?
In Subject to Change, repetition of lines suggests that life and identity are constantly shifting.
What does the phrase “subject to change” mean in this context?
What is something that is not fixed and can change over time?