Unseen Poetry: Important Forms

Poetic Forms

• An acrostic poem is defined by the fact that the first letter of each line spells out a word or phrase.
• A ballad is typically characterized by its use of quatrains, a strong rhythm, and a focus on telling a story.
• Blank verse is primarily characterized by its use of unrhymed iambic pentameter.
• A closed form poem is distinguished by its adherence to a specific rhyme and meter scheme.
• A dramatic monologue is characterized by a single speaker who addresses a silent listener, often revealing their thoughts and feelings.
• An elegy is typically concerned with mourning the loss of someone or something.
• An epic poem is defined by its long, narrative structure and its focus on heroic deeds.
• An epigram is a short, witty poem that often makes a satirical or humorous point.
• An epistolary poem is a poem written in the form of a letter.
• An epitaph is typically used for a short inscription on a tombstone, commemorating the deceased.
• Erasure poetry involves the process of erasing or removing words from an existing text to create a new poem.
• Free verse is defined by its lack of a regular rhyme and meter scheme, allowing the poet to focus on natural speech rhythms.
• A lament poem typically expresses grief, sorrow, or mourning.
• A lyric poem is primarily focused on the poet's emotions and feelings.
• Metaphysical poems are known for their complex, intellectual themes and use of metaphor.
• A narrative poem is defined by its focus on telling a story.
• Nature poetry is focused on the natural world and the poet's relationship with it.
• An ode is a poem that expresses praise or admiration for a person, place, or thing.
• A prose poem is characterized by its use of prose rather than verse, often blurring the line between poetry and prose.
• A sestina is a 39-line poem in which the end words of each line are repeated in a specific order throughout the poem.
• A sonnet is typically characterized by its 14-line structure and its use of rhyme and meter.
• A villanelle is a poem with 19 lines, in which the first and third lines are repeated in a specific pattern throughout the poem.