Poetry Definitions

Table of Contents

I. Structural Elements

II. Figures of speech

III. Techniques

IV. Types of Poetry

I. Structural Elements

   1. Stanza-an arrangement of a certain number of lines, usually four or more, sometimes having a fixed length, meter, or rhyme scheme, forming a    division of a poem

   2. Rhyme- identity in sound of some part, esp. the end, of words or lines of verse

       - Internal rhyme- a rhyme created by two or more words in the same line of verse

       - rhyme couplet- a couplet is a poem made of two lines of rhyming poetry that usually have the same meter

       - assonance- rhyme in which the same vowel sounds are used with different consonants in the stressed syllables of the rhyming words, as in  penitent and reticence

       - alliteration- the commencement of two or more stressed syllables of a word group either with the same consanant sound or or sound group

   3. Rhythm- identity in sound of some part, esp. the end, of words or lines of verse

       - meter- poetic measure; arrangement of words in regularly measured, patterned, or rhythmic lines or verses

   4. Theme- a subject of discourse, discussion, meditation, or composition

   5. Tone- the attitude or state of mind of the author within the poem

   6. Refrain- a phrase or verse recurring at intervals in a song or poem, esp. at the end of each stanza; chorus

II. Figures of speech

   7. Simile- a figure of speech in which two unlike things are explicitly compared, as in “she is like a rose.”

   8. Metaphor- a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance, as in “A mighty fortress is our God.”

   9. Personification- the attribution of a personal nature or character to inanimate objects or abstract notions, especially as a rhetorical figure.

   10. Ontomatopeia- the formation of a word, as cuckoo or boom, by imitation of a sound made by or associated with its referent.

 << WATAHHH is an ontomatopeia

   11. Apostrophe- a digression in the form of an address to someone not present, or to a personified object or idea, as “O Death, where is thy sting?”

   12. Alliteration- the commencement of two or more stressed syllables of a word group either with the same consonant sound or sound group

   13. Hyperbole- obvious and intentional exaggeration

III. Techniques

   14. Symbol- a word, phrase, image, or the like having a complex of associated meanings and perceived as having inherent value separable from that which is symbolized, as being part of that which is symbolized, and as performing its normal function of standing for or representing that which is symbolized: usually conceived as deriving its meaning chiefly from the structure in which it appears, and generally distinguished from a sign.

   15. Irony- a technique of indicating, as through character or plot development, an intention or attitude opposite to that which is actually or ostensibly stated

   16. Literary Allusion- a passing or casual reference; an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication

   17. Connotation- the associated or secondary meaning of a word or expression in addition to its explicit or primary meaning

   18. Imagery- the formation of mental images, figures, or likenesses of things, or of such images collectively

IV. Types of Poetry

   19. Narrative- a story or account of events, experiences, or the like, whether true or fictitious

   20. Lyric Poem- a short poem of songlike quality 

   21. Free Verse- verse that does not follow a fixed metrical pattern

   22. Sonnet- a poem, properly expressive of a single, complete thought, idea, or sentiment, of 14 lines, usually in iambic pentameter, with rhymes arranged according to one of certain definite schemes, being in the strict or Italian form divided into a major group of 8 lines (the octave) followed by a minor group of 6 lines (the sestet), and in a common English form into 3 quatrains followed by a couplet.

        - Petrarchan- of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the works of Petrarch

        - Shakesperean- of, pertaining to, or in the style of, Shakespeare or his works

   23. Descriptive Poem-  a poem containting much description about the subject or subjects or ideas within the poem

   24. Haiku- a major form of Japanese verse, written in 17 syllables divided into 3 lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables, and employing highly evocative allusions and comparisons, often on the subject of nature or one of the seasons

   25. Epic- noting or pertaining to a long poetic composition, usually centered upon a hero, in which a series of great achievements or events is narrated in elevated style

Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/