Poetry Midterm Key Terms

Text

The poetic work

Rhyme

when two words have the same ending sound

Line

a single row or words in a poem

Lineation

The arrangement of words in lines and line breaks

End-stopped

when a line ends at punctuation or a natural pause

Enjambment

when a sentence or phrase runs over from one line to the next

Stanza

a grouping of lines

Ambiguity

When something has more than one possible meaning

Speaker

the voice delivering the words

Tone

The expression of a speaker’s attitude

Concrete poem

how the poem is visually presented contributes to meaning

Shaped poem

the poem takes the shape of its subject

Ars poetica

a poem that explains the art of poetry

Slant rhyme

Rhyming of similar but not identical sound

Prose poem

a poem not broken into verse lines

Persona

a speaker whose perspective is different from the poet’s

Dramatic monologue

a persona poem in which the speaker is a character addressing a silent AUDITOR (not the reader) in a particular sitatuation. The speaker in dramatic monologue is sometimes a figure from history or mythology (so research can be helpful)

Irony

the intentional distance between what is said and what is meant, often used as a means of critique

Vernacular

refers to ordinary, informal spoken language of a group

Setting

the time and place of a poem

Situation

what is happening in a poem

Occasional poem

a poem written for and often recited at an important event, such as a Presidential inauguration, dedication, awards ceremony, or anniversary. Occasional poems are usually about public events, but they can also describe important personal events. The intent is to elevate and honor an occurrence

Lyric poetry

A mode of personal expression that communicates thoughts and emotions rather than just descriving something or telling a story (setting in lyric poetry helps express thoughts and emotions)

Apostrophe

when a text directly addresses an inanimate object, an abstract quality, or a person not living or absent

Personification

figurative language that gives human characteristics to a non-human thing

Carpe diem

Latin for “seize the day,” emphasizes living for the present moment, putting little trust in the future

Alliteration

repetition of beginning sounds of words for effect

Consonance

repetition of consonant sounds in near proximity for effect

Assonance

repetition of vowel sounds in words in near proximity for effect

Elegy

a lyric poem about death, expressing grief or paying tribute to the dead

Extended metaphor

a metaphor that is sustained or developed over several lines