Poetry Terms

Line

single row of text in a poem

line break

the place where a line ends and a new line begins

stanza

a group of lines that work together to express on idea

stanza break

blank space between stanzas

repetition

use of any element of language - a sound, work, or phrase - more than once

refrain

line or group of lines that is repeated in a poem

variations

deviating from a pattern or structure to create emphasis

Rhythm

the beat of stressed and unstressed syllables in a poem

meter

pattern of rhythm in a poem

feet

units of stressed and unstressed syllables

rhyme

the repetition of vowel-consonant sounds at the end of words in a poem

rhyme scheme

a particular pattern of rhyming in a poem

slant ryhme

rhyming structures with words that share similar sounds but aren’t exactly perfect rhymes

alliteration

the repetition of consonant sounds a the beginning of words

onomatopoeia

use of words that imitate sounds

metaphor

comparison between two unlike things without using “like” or “as”

simile

comparison using “like” or “as”

personification

human qualities given to non-human creatures/objects

denotation

the literal meaning of a word (dictionary def)

connotation

ideas and feelings a word brings to mind