Elements of Poetry
A group of lines in a poem is a...
Stanza
A comparison using "like" or "as."
The forming of a word (as “buzz” or “hiss”) in imitation of a natural sound.
What is Onomatopeia?
The sack fell into the river with a splash.
Onomatopoeia
What is the purpose of figurative language?
To paint a picture in the mind of the audience, make the writing more enjoyable to read.
(To make the writing taste better)
The beat of a poem is the...
Rhythm.
Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
What is hyperbole?
The repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables.
What is Alliteration?
“In the eastern sky there was a yellow patch like a rug laid for the feet of the coming sun . . .” — The Red Badge of Courage, by Stephen Crane
Simile
A unique literary art form meant to be heard. The sound of the words is just as important as the meaning of the words.
What is poetry?
The measure (e.g. 5 of a specific type of beat in each line) of the poem's Rhythm is the...
Meter.
An implied comparison where on word or phrase is used in place of another to suggest the two things are similar in some way.
What is a metaphor?
The attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something non-human or representing a thing or idea as a person in art, literature.
What is Personification?
“Because I could not stop for Death –
He kindly stopped for me –
The Carriage held but just Ourselves –
And Immortality.”
- “Because I could not stop for Death” by Emily Dickinson
Personification.
The rules that define the poem's patterns and structure.
What is poetic form?
The pattern of rhymes through out the poem is the...
Rhyme Scheme.
An expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its separate words but must be learned as a whole.
What is an idiom?
The presentation of a thing with underemphasis especially in order to achieve a greater effect.
What is Meiosis ( or understatement)?
"Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -"
from "'Hope' is the thing with feathers" by Emily Dickinson
Metaphor
Words or phrases that stress certain sounds, which writers use to create emphasis or a musical effect.
What is a sound device?
What is imagery?
A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance
What is an Allusion?
An object or image that stands for an idea
What is Symbolism?
"Barking up the wrong tree," "Costs an arm and a leg," and "Get your ducks in a row," are all examples of what?
Idioms
Phrases that writers use to convey deeper meaning than the literal words, which helps the reader to analyze and interpret the text such as similes, metaphors, allusion, and symbolism.
What is a literary device?