English Poetry

Stanza

A group of lines separated from others, used to organise the poem’s ideas or stages.

Stanza length

The number of lines in each stanza, which can create order or show changes in thought and emotion.

Enjambment

When a sentence continues onto the next line without punctuation, creating flow, speed or anticipation.

End-stopping

When a sentence or complete idea ends with the poetic line, creating control, certainty or emphasis.

Caesura

A deliberate pause within a line, often created by punctuation to interrupt the rhythm or emphasise an idea.

Volta

A noticeable turning point where the poem’s tone, argument, subject or perspective changes.

Refrain

A line or phrase repeated throughout a poem to reinforce an important idea or emotion.

Rhyme

Matching sounds between words, used to connect ideas and make language memorable.

Rhyme scheme

The organised pattern of rhyming sounds within a poem, such as ABAB or AABB.

Rhyming couplet

Two consecutive lines that rhyme, often linking or emphasising an idea.

Half rhyme

Words have similar but incomplete rhyming sounds, which can create unease or imperfection.

Internal rhyme

Rhyming words appear within the same line, adding rhythm or drawing attention to particular words.

Rhythm

The pattern and pace created by stressed and unstressed syllables.

Metre

A regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that controls the poem’s rhythm.

Regular rhythm

A consistent beat that can suggest order, control, confidence or routine.

Irregular rhythm

A changing or disrupted beat that can reflect tension, confusion or powerful emotion.

Iambic pentameter

A rhythm of five unstressed-then-stressed beats per line, often resembling natural speech or a heartbeat.

Free verse

Poetry without a fixed rhyme scheme or metre, giving the poet freedom and a conversational style.

Blank verse

Unrhymed poetry written in iambic pentameter, combining natural speech with a controlled rhythm.

Form

The overall type and arrangement of a poem, chosen to shape how its ideas are presented.

Sonnet

A fourteen-line poetic form often used to explore love, conflict or a developing argument.

Dramatic monologue

A poem spoken by one character whose words reveal their personality, thoughts or situation.

Speaker

The voice speaking in the poem, which is not necessarily the poet.

Persona

A character or identity adopted by the poet to present a particular viewpoint.

Couplet

Two consecutive lines grouped together, often used to connect or conclude an idea.

Quatrain

A four-line stanza used to organise ideas or create a regular pattern.

Cyclical structure

The poem’s ending returns to an idea or image from its beginning, suggesting completion or repetition.

Structural contrast

Different sections, images or emotions oppose each other to emphasise a change or conflict.

Isolation

A word, line or stanza is placed separately to give it greater emphasis.

Line length

The use of shorter or longer lines to control pace, focus and the poem’s visual appearance.