2026 Semester 1 General English Exam - Poetry Techniques

Explain the definition of alliteration

The repetition of identical consonant sounds, most often the sounds beginning words, in close proximity.

Explain the definition of allusion

Unacknowledged reference and quotations that authors assume their readers will recognize.

Explain the definition of anthropomorphism

When you give human traits to animals.

What is the difference between anthropomorphism and personification?

Anthropomorphism is when a non-human entity literally acts and thinks like a human character, while Personification is attributing human traits to describe a non-human/abstract object.

Explain the definition of assonance

The repetition of the same vowel sound within close proximity in a group of words, typically without the surrounding consonants matching.

What is a ballad?

A poem that tells a story.

What are the features of a ballad?

Structured in quatrains

Follows an ABCB rhyme scheme

Consists of a musical rhythm

Usually has repetition and dialogue

Look at the line: "O, what can ail thee, knight-at-arms?" What is the function of "O" here?

It functions as a dramatic opener to draw attention to the speaker's question and emphasize their concern or distress.

Explain the definition of a caesura

A pause or a stop in a line, often marked by a punctuation mark.

Describe what are couplets

Two successive rhyming lines

Explain the definition of enjambment

When a line of poetry carries over a line/stanza break without punctuation.

Explain the definition of a hyperbole

Exaggeration for effect

Describe the five types of imagery alongside their associated senses

Visual (sight)

Auditory (sound)

Gustatory (taste)

Olfactory (smell)

Tactile (touch)

Describe the difference between juxtaposition and oxymoron

An oxymoron is a figure of speech where two contradictor words are placed next/or close to each other to strike a new meaning.

A juxtaposition is placing two contrasting ideas side-by-side, not necessarily next/or close to each other, to highlight their contrast.

What is lyric poetry?

Poetry which describes a poet's thoughts or perception

Explain the definition of a metaphor

A comparison between two unlike things, this describes one thing as if it were something

else.

Explain the definition of a meter

the "beat" of the poem, formed by the poem's use of syllables and structure

Explain the definition of onomatopoeia

A blending of consonant and vowel sounds designed to imitate or suggest the activity

being described.

Explain the definition of repetition

Repeating a word or phrase for effect

Explain what is rhyme

The repetition of identical concluding syllables in different words, most often at the ends of

lines.

Explain the definition of sibilance

The repetition of harsh, hissing sounds in speech or writing, usually created by consonants like

"s", "sh", and "z"

Explain the difference between anaphora and epistrophe

Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive sentences, clauses, or lines.

Epistrophe is the repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive sentences, clauses, or lines.

Explain what is zoomorphism

When you give animal characteristic to humans

Explain what is a connotation

The emotional or cultural meaning attached to a word, rather than its literal, dictionary definition

Describe the difference between symbolism and metaphor

Metaphors use an object to compare directly to another while symbolism use an object to represent a big idea.

Note: Symbolism is "in the room!"

Explain the definition of chiasmus

A literary device that repeats words or concepts in a reverse, mirror-image order following an A-B-B-A structure.

Describe the difference between parallelism and syntax

Syntax is the purposeful arrangement of words, phrases, and punctuation in a sentence to control its rhythm, emphasis, and overall meaning.

Parallelism is when words, phrases, or clauses are used in grammatically similar or identical structures within a sentence or across a series of sentences.

Explain the definition of an idiom

A phrase or expression where the overall meaning cannot be understood from the literal definitions of the individual words.

Describe the features of a sonnet

It follows an iambic pentameter and a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.

Each line typically has 10 syllables.

It typically consists of 14 lines.

What is an ode?

A formal lyric poem written to celebrate, praise, or glorify a specific person, place, object, or abstract idea.

Note: Usually utilises archaic language