Unit 3b: Poetry Analysis Vocabulary

line

Group of words arranged into a single row in a poem

meter

Sound device that is the basic rhythmic structure of a line in poetry; Uses a specific number of stressed and unstressed syllables to create rhythm

stanza

Group of lines about one thought/topic that is separated from other lines in a poem

end stop

Line that ends with punctuation, such as a period, comma, semicolon, or other punctuation to complete a thought or phrase

enjambment

Line that continues a thought or phrase onto the next line without punctuation

rhyme scheme

Pattern of same sounds at the end of each line in a poem; Denoted by using letters of the alphabet like ABAB or AABB

sound device

Literary tool used in poetry to help a reader 'hear' a poem by stressing certain sounds; Creates a sensory experience that makes a poem sound musical

repetition

Sound device that repeats the same words or phrases to make an idea clearer, more memorable, emphasize its significance, or add to the rhythm of a poem

consonance

Sound device that refers to the repetition of the same consonant sound in a line of text; the repetition can occur at the beginning, middle, or end of the word

Example: "Tyger, Tyger, burning bright"

assonance

Sound device that is the repetition of the same or similar vowel sounds within words, phrases, or sentences

Example: "The kind knight rides high on his horse"

end rhyme

When the last syllables of 2 or more poetic lines rhyme

internal rhyme

Rhyme that occurs within a single line

rhythm

Pattern of stressed and unstressed beats in a poem; It can be analyzed by looking at the number of syllables or feet in a line or stanza

motif

Image, object, sound, quote, or concept that appears over and over again in a story to develop the theme

euphony

Sound device that is the combining and arranging of words to create pleasant and harmonious sounds

cacophony

Sound device that is the purposeful arrangement of words to create harsh, unpleasant sounds 

poetic techniques

specific techniques associated with poetry; could include the organization of a text into stanzas, the use of sound devices or figurative language, or particular structures.