Poetic terms glassary

Rhyming couplet

A pair of consecutive lines of poetry that typically rhyme and have the same meter. They often express a complete thought or idea.

Half-rhyme

A type of rhyme in which the consonant sounds are similar but the vowel sounds differ, creating an imperfect rhyme.

Rhyme scheme

The pattern of rhymes at the end of each line of a poem, typically described using letters to represent each sound.

AA BB Rhyme

A rhyme scheme that features pairs of rhyming lines, where each pair ends with the same sound, such as in a rhyming couplet.

ABAB Rhyme scheme

A rhyme scheme where alternating lines rhyme with each other, following a pattern of the first and third lines rhyming, and the second and fourth lines rhyming.

Internal rhyme

A rhyme that occurs within a single line of poetry, where a word in the middle of the line rhymes with a word at the end.

End rhyme

Rhyme that occurs at the end of lines in poetry, typically marking the conclusion of the verse.

Iambs

A metrical foot consisting of two syllables, where the first syllable is unstressed and the second is stressed, commonly used in English poetry.

Metrical foot

A combination of stressed and unstressed syllables that forms the basic rhythmic unit of a line of poetry.

Meter

The structured rhythm of a poem, defined by the pattern and number of syllables in each line, often categorized into different types such as iambic or trochaic.

Iambic pentameter

A metrical pattern in poetry consisting of five iambs per line, often used in sonnets and dramatic verse.

Sonnet

A poetic form consisting of 14 lines, typically written in iambic pentameter, and following specific rhyme schemes such as the Shakespearean or Petrarchan.

Haiku

A traditional Japanese form of poetry that consists of three lines with a syllable pattern of 5-7-5, often focusing on nature or seasonal themes.

Epic poetry

A lengthy narrative poem that typically recounts the deeds and adventures of heroic figures and often involves mythological elements.

Volta

The turn or shift in thought or argument in a sonnet, marking a change in perspective or emotion.

Petrachan

sonnet form characterized by an octave and a sestet, often exploring complex emotional themes.

Shakespearean

sonnet form consisting of three quatrains followed by a couplet, often addressing a specific theme or problem.

Octave

A stanza or section of a poem consisting of eight lines, commonly used in sonnet forms.

Setset

A stanza or section of a poem consisting of six lines, typically following an octave in Petrarchan sonnets.

Quatrain

A stanza or section of a poem consisting of four lines, often with alternating rhymes.