annotating poetry terminology

Symbol

something that represents something bigger

Paradox

a statement that seems wrong but is actually true

Personification

giving human traits to non-human things

Metaphor

direct comparison without like or as

Simile

comparison using like or as

Mood

the feeling the reader gets

Hyperbole

exaggeration

Oxymoron

two opposite words together

Euphemism

a softer way to say something harsh

Metonymy

using something related to stand for something

Irony

when expectation does not match reality

Sarcasm

saying the opposite in a mocking way

Allusion

a reference to something famous

Rhetorical question

a question not meant to be answered

Analogy

explaining something by comparing it

Allegory

a whole story with a hidden meaning

Onomatopoeia

words that sound like the noise

Repetition

repeating words or phrases

Alliteration

repeating starting sounds

Cacophony

harsh unpleasant sounds

Rhyme/Meter

rhyme is matching end sounds, meter is rhythm

Euphony

smooth pleasant sounds

Assonance

repeated vowel sounds

Dissonance

clashing or uncomfortable sounds

Lyricism

musical song-like quality

Tonal emphasis

stressing certain words for impact

Diction

word choice

Inversion

unusual word order

Tone

author’s attitude

Structure

how the poem is organized

Point of view

who is speaking

Narrator’s voice

personality of the speaker

Dramatic monologue

one speaker talking to an audience

Theme

main message

Concept

main idea or topic

Conceit

an extended metaphor

Purpose

why the poem was written

Setting

where and when it happens

Narrative story

a poem that tells a story

Socio-political context

connection to society or politics

Poetic era

time period of the poem

Questions meaning

deeper questions the poem raises

Voice/establishment

how the speaker establishes identity

Title

gives clues to meaning

Connotation

emotional meaning of a word