Poetry Terms Flashcards

Poetry Terms and Definitions

• Verse: Represents a single unit in poetry; can be a line or a stanza.
• Blank Verse: Defined as unrhymed poetry that follows iambic pentameter, maintaining a rhythmic structure without rhyme.
• Free Verse: Characterized by a lack of restrictions; does not adhere to traditional patterns or forms, allowing freedom in expression.
• Figurative Language: Encompasses language that conveys meanings beyond the literal interpretations, enriching the text.
• Personification: Involves attributing human traits or emotions to animals or inanimate objects, enhancing relatability.
• Hyperbole: A rhetorical device that employs extreme exaggeration to emphasize a point or create a dramatic effect.
• Simile: A comparison between two distinct things using "like" or "as," often to create vivid imagery.
• Metaphor: A direct comparison between two elements without using "like" or "as," suggesting one thing embodies another.
• Imagery: Utilizes descriptive language to engage the senses, allowing readers to visualize the scenes depicted in the poem.
• Connotation: Refers to the emotional associations and interpretations linked to a word, beyond its straightforward meaning.
• Denotation: The exact, literal meaning or dictionary definition of a word, providing clarity in language.
• Diction: Relates to the specific word choices made by an author, influencing tone and style.
• Rhyme Scheme: The structured pattern of rhymes at the end of lines within a stanza, which can enhance musicality.
• Rhythm: The systematic pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that gives poetry its flow and movement.
• Meter: Refers to the recurring rhythmic pattern that governs how poetry is structured, often foundational to poetry's musical quality.
• Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonant sounds in adjacent or closely connected words, adding a lyrical quality to the text.
• Refrain: A repeated phrase or line throughout a poem, contributing to its overall theme or emotional resonance.
• Onomatopoeia: The creation of words that phonetically imitate the sound associated with the object or action they refer to, enhancing sensory experience.
• Stanza: A grouping of lines within a poem, serving as a structural unit akin to a paragraph in prose.
• Couplet: Consists of two consecutive lines of verse that rhyme, often conveying a complete thought.
• Quatrain: A stanza made up of four lines, which can vary in rhyme patterns.
• Heroic Couplet: Comprises two rhyming lines that form a complete thought, typically written in iambic pentameter.
• Narrative Poem: A form of poetry that tells a story, characterized by elements such as a plot and characters.
• Lyric Poem: Shorter poems focused on expressing personal emotions and thoughts.
• Sonnet: A fourteen-line poem that often reflects the poet's personal feelings, commonly associated with themes of love.
• Elegy: A mournful poem that grieves over the death of a significant individual.
• Ballad: A narrative poem that recounts a story, often in a dramatic form and suitable for singing.
• Ode: A formal and often elaborate poem written in praise of a person, event, or subject.
• Haiku: A traditional Japanese poem consisting of three lines with a 5-7-5 syllable structure, focusing on nature and evoking contemplation.
• Limerick: A playful, humorous poem consisting of five lines, characterized by a distinctive rhythm and rhyme pattern.
• Visual Poetry: Combines the visual arrangement of text on the page with poetic expression, relying significantly on layout for impact.
• Found Poem: A poem created from existing texts or words, discovered and re-contextualized to convey new meaning.