Key Concepts in Photography and Poetry Analysis

Intention

In photography, intention refers to the photographer's purpose or the message they aim to convey through their image.

Rule of Thirds

This is a compositional guideline that suggests dividing an image into nine equal sections by two horizontal and two vertical lines.

Content

The content of a photograph refers to the subject matter, the objects, people, and events depicted in the image.

Camera Angle

The camera angle is the viewpoint from which the photograph is taken.

Eye-level

The camera is positioned at the same height as the subject.

Low angle

The camera is positioned below the subject, making it appear larger, more powerful, or imposing.

High angle

The camera is positioned above the subject, making it appear smaller, vulnerable, or less significant.

Bird's-eye view

An extreme high angle, looking directly down on the subject.

Worm's-eye view

An extreme low angle, looking up at the subject from ground level.

Stressed Syllables

In poetry, rhythm is created by the pattern of stressed (strong emphasis) and unstressed (weak emphasis) syllables in a line.

Unstressed Syllables

In poetry, rhythm is created by the pattern of stressed (strong emphasis) and unstressed (weak emphasis) syllables in a line.

Poetic Foot

A poetic foot is a basic unit of rhythm in a line of poetry, consisting of a specific combination of stressed and unstressed syllables.

Iambic

Unstressed followed by stressed (da-DUM). Example: aRISE, beLOW.

Trochaic

Stressed followed by unstressed (DUM-da). Example: GARden, TEAcher.

Anapestic

Two unstressed followed by stressed (da-da-DUM). Example: in-terRUPT, un-derSTAND.

Dactylic

Stressed followed by two unstressed (DUM-da-da). Example: MERri-ly, PO-et-ry.

Meter

Meter refers to the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry.

Monometer

One foot per line.

Dimeter

Two feet per line.

Trimeter

Three feet per line.

Tetrameter

Four feet per line.

Pentameter

Five feet per line (very common, especially in sonnets and blank verse).

Hexameter

Six feet per line.

Heptameter

Seven feet per line.

Octameter

Eight feet per line.

Metonymy

A figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely associated.

Assonance

The repetition of vowel sounds within words or phrases (e.g., 'the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain').

Consonance

The repetition of consonant sounds within words or at the end of words (e.g., 'slip and slap,' 'the billows swallow').

Anaphora

Repetition at the beginning (e.g., "We shall not fail. We shall not yield.").

Epiphora

Repetition at the end (e.g., "...that government of the people, by the people, for the people.").

Chiasmus

A rhetorical device in which two or more clauses are balanced against each other by the reversal of their structures in order to produce an artistic effect. Often uses the ABBA structure (e.g., "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.").

Sonnet

A 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and typically written in iambic pentameter.

Shakespearean Sonnet

Typically has a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG and often presents a problem or question in the first three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a resolution in the final couplet (two-line stanza).

Petrarchan Sonnet

Typically has a rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA CDECDE (or CDCDCD) and often presents a problem or question in the octave (first eight lines) and a resolution or reflection in the sestet (final six lines).

Enjambment

The continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line of poetry to the next without a pause or punctuation mark at the end of the line.

Caesura

A pause or break within a line of poetry, often indicated by punctuation (like a comma, semicolon, or dash).

Subject Matter

What is the poem about?

Theme

What are the underlying ideas or messages?

Tone

What is the speaker's attitude towards the subject?

Imagery

What sensory details are used?

Figurative Language

Are there metaphors, similes, personification, etc.?

Structure and Form

How does the poem's organization contribute to its meaning?

Sound Devices

How do elements like rhyme, rhythm, assonance, and consonance affect the poem?

T.P.C.A.S.T.T.

An acronym for a method of poetry analysis.

Title (T.P.C.A.S.T.T.)

Consider the title before reading the poem. What predictions can you make?

Phrase (T.P.C.A.S.T.T.)

Identify any striking or important phrases as you read.

Connotation (T.P.C.A.S.T.T.)

Explore the emotions, associations, and implied meanings of words.

Attitude (T.P.C.A.S.T.T.)

Determine the speaker's tone and feelings.

Shift (T.P.C.A.S.T.T.)

Note any changes in tone, speaker, or subject.

Title (revisited) (T.P.C.A.S.T.T.)

Re-examine the title after reading the poem. Does it have a new meaning?

Theme (T.P.C.A.S.T.T.)

Identify the central message or insight of the poem.

Basic Biographic Information of Our Poets

Understanding the background of the poets you are studying can provide valuable context for their work.

Life and Experiences

Where and when did they live? What significant events shaped their lives, particularly their experiences (or lack thereof) with World War I?

Literary Influences

What other writers or movements influenced their style and themes?

Perspectives on War

What were their attitudes towards the war, and how might this be reflected in their poetry?