Poetic Forms and Sonnets Quiz

Poetic Forms

• Diona: A traditional poem with 7 syllables per line, composed of 3 lines per stanza, featuring a rhyme.

• Tanaga: A Tagalog poem consisting of 4 lines with each having 7 syllables, formatted with rhyming words at the end of each stanza.

• Haiku: A Japanese poetry style with 3 lines totaling 17 syllables, structured in a 5-7-5 syllable format. Emphasizes the concept of "cutting" (kiru).

• Sonnet: Contains 14 lines with a fixed rhyme scheme, often employing iambic pentameter (10 syllables). The term derives from "little song."

Types of Sonnets

• Italian (Petrarchan) Sonnet: Features an octave (8 lines) with the rhyme scheme abbaabba introducing a problem, followed by a sestet (6 lines) that addresses the problem (cdc dcd or cdecde).

• English (Shakespearean) Sonnet: A variation named after Shakespeare, consists of 3 quatrains and a final couplet with the rhyme scheme abab cdcd efef gg, typically exploring themes of romantic love.

Free Verse

• Definition: A form of poetry that disregards traditional meter and rhyme, emphasizing natural speech patterns without a fixed structure.

• Characteristics:

  • No regular meter or rhyme scheme.
  • Based on natural pauses and rhythm.
  • Known as "vers libre" in French.

• Functions: Offers freedom for poets, facilitating imagination and personal expression, and allowing for dynamic word choice without conventional constraints.

• Notable Poets:

  • Walt Whitman: Known as the father of free verse; his poems often use natural metaphors to engage readers.
  • Emily Dickinson: Recognized as the mother of American free verse; her works imitate natural speech rhythms.
  • John Ashbery: Authored "Soonest Mended," contributing to the genre.
  • Ezra Pound: Developed modern free verse with musicality.

Poetic Techniques

• Line Break: A device that separates two halves of a thought at the end of a line, promoting dynamism and creating ambiguity in meaning.

• Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or phrase across line breaks, leading to a fast-paced reading experience and creating a sense of flow, derived from the French word meaning "to straddle."

• Typography: Refers to the design and arrangement of printed text, influencing the physical appearance and presentation of poetry, which includes choices in paper, ink, and overall design.

Test your knowledge of different poetic forms including Diona, Tanaga, Haiku, and various types of Sonnets such as Italian and English. This quiz will explore the structure, syllable count, and rhyme schemes that define these poetic styles. Challenge yourself to identify and understand the nuances of each form.