Language of Poetry Terms (highlighted)

form

a poem's structure, or the way words are arranged on a page

lines

• a division of a poem:

         - a group of words arranged into a row that ends for a reason other than the right-hand margin

• The length of lines, where they break, and how they are punctuated all contribute to the poem's rhythm and meaning

stanza

• group of lines in a poem

• like paragraphs in prose

• each one helps to convey the overall message of a poem

rhyme

repetition of vowel and consonant sounds at the end of words

cat, hat
flower, power

end rhyme

occurs at the end of a line of poetry

internal rhyme

occurs within a line of poetry

rhyme scheme

Pattern of end rhymes

enjambment

when a single thought or sentence carries over the multiple lines of poetry and does not end with the line break

• it is important to follow the punctuation and NOT automatically pause at the end of a line

speaker

the voice of the poem

*not necessarily the author

couplet

a pair of rhymed lines

• lines are consecutive (next to each other)

mood

feeling or atmosphere that writer creates for the reader through:

• descriptive words

• imagery

• figurative language

• sound and rhythm of language

consonant

B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, X, Y, Z

repitition

sounds, word, phrase, or line that is repeated for emphasis and unity

alliteration

the repetition of beginning consonant sounds

example: the free bird thinks of another breeze

imagery

description that appeals to any of the senses

example: The cool wind blew scratchy sand in our watering eyes.

simile

a comparison of two unlike things using the words "like" or "as" to make the comparison

example: O my Love's like a red, red rose

metaphor

a comparison of two unlike things without using "like" or "as"

example:
Audacious socks,
my feet became
two woolen
fish,
two long sharks of lapis blue

personification

giving human characteristics to something that is not human

hyperbole

exaggerated statements or claim not meant to be taken literally

example: "Eight days a week I love you" - The Beatles