Poetry Terms
one single line of a poem arranged in a metrical pattern
verse
the speaker is a character in the story or poem and tells it from his/her perspective (uses “I”)
first person
poems that rhyme but have a varying rhyme scheme
Rhymed Poetry
Japanese poem consisting of 17 syllables arranged in three lines consisting of 5, 7, and 5 syllables. It often focuses on nature and consists of simple imagery.
Haiku
group of verses where the lines are arranged into a unit
stanza
the speaker is not part of the story, but tells about the other characters through the limited perceptions of one other person (uses “he”, “she” or “they”)
third person limited
Poetry that lacks a consistent rhyme scheme, metrical pattern, or musical form.
free verse
A 5 line poem that consists of a single stanza, an AABBA rhyme scheme, and focuses on a short tale or description, often humorous.
limerick
two lines at the end of a poem
couplet
an unusual form of storytelling that addresses the reader directly (uses “you”)
second person
Poetry written with a precise meter (almost always iambic pentameter) that does not rhyme
blank verse
A long narrative poem that shows a heroic protagonist engaging in an action of great mythic or historical significance
Epic
when lines or verses have incomplete syntax and the meaning runs over from one poetic line to the next
enjambment
he speaker is not part of the story, but is able to “know” and describe what all characters are thinking (uses “he”, “she” or “they”)
third person omniscient
A form of narrative verse that can be either poetic or musical
ballad
A 14 line poem, typically on the topic of love that contains internal rhymes within their lines.
sonnet
What types of stanzas are included in Sonnet 18?
three quatrains and a couplet
What point of view is Sonnet 18 written from?
first person
What is one example of an Epic poem mentioned in the PowerPoint?
Beowulf
The Odyssey
What rhyme scheme does an English Sonnet usually have?
ABAB CDCD EFEF GG