Intro to Closed Structure

Sonnet

• A sonnet is a type of poem that consists of 14 lines and follows a specific rhyme scheme.

• The most common form of sonnet is the Shakespearean, or English, sonnet which is divided into three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a concluding couplet.

• Sonnets are often written in iambic pentameter, meaning each line contains ten syllables with alternating stressed and unstressed syllables.

• They usually express themes such as love, beauty, mortality or philosophy.

Haiku

• A haiku is a form of Japanese poetry that consists of three lines.

• The first and third line contain five syllables, while the second line contains seven syllables.

• Haikus usually aim to capture a moment in nature or express an emotion in a concise and elegant way.

Rhymed Couplet

• A rhymed couplet is a literary device in poetry, comprising two lines that are of the same length and end with words that rhyme.

• A couplet usually expresses a complete thought or idea within the two lines.

• It can stand alone as an independent verse or be used as part of a larger poem or work.

• Rhymed couplets have been widely used in English literature since medieval times and continue to be popular today in various forms of poetry such as sonnets, epics, and ballads.

Impact of Close Structure

• The impact of close structure in literature is multifaceted.

• Close structure refers to the use of a tight and rigid framework for organizing literary works, such as poetry or prose.

• This type of structure often involves the use of strict form, meter, rhyme scheme or other formal elements.

• One effect that close structure can have on literature is that it emphasizes discipline and control over creative expression.

• By adhering to strict rules and guidelines, writers are forced to carefully consider each word they use and how it fits within the larger context.

• As a result, this can lead to more deliberate writing with heightened attention paid to language and meaning.

Intro to Open Structure

Free Verse

• Free verse is a type of poetry that doesn't follow any specific rhyme or meter scheme.

• Instead, it relies on the natural rhythms and cadences of everyday speech to create its own unique structure.

• This means that free verse can take many different forms and often looks more like prose than traditional poetry.

• It allows poets to experiment with language in new ways and break from the constraints of traditional poetic forms.

Prose Poetry

• Prose poetry is a type of creative writing that combines the characteristics of prose and poetry.

• It often lacks traditional poetic structure, including meter, rhyme scheme, and line breaks.

• Instead, it uses elements such as vivid imagery, figurative language, repetition, symbolism and heightened emotional content to evoke an aesthetic or artistic effect similar to that found in traditional poetry.

Imagery

• Imagery refers to the use of descriptive language that appeals to the reader's senses, such as sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell.

• The purpose of imagery is to create a vivid mental picture or sensory experience in the reader's mind by using words and phrases that evoke certain sensations or emotions.

• Imagery can be found in various forms of literature including poetry, fiction and non-fiction writing.

• It helps writers add depth and meaning to their work by creating strong emotional connections with readers through sensory experiences.

Hyperbole

• Hyperbole is a figure of speech that involves an exaggeration or overstatement for emphasis, humor or rhetorical effect.

• It's used to make a point more strongly by describing something as greater than it actually is.

• Hyperboles are often characterized by the use of extreme language and exaggerated claims in order to create a vivid impression on the reader or listener.

Understatement

• Understatement is the act of describing something in a way that makes it seem less important, serious, or extreme than it really is.

• It involves making an intentionally restrained or modest statement to create emphasis through subtlety and understatedness.

Personification

• Personification is a literary device or figure of speech in which human qualities and characteristics are attributed to non-human entities, such as animals, objects, or abstract concepts.

• This technique can help readers better understand and relate to the entity being personified by giving it relatable human emotions and actions.

Allusion

• An allusion is a figure of speech that references a well-known person, place, event, or work of art in order to convey an idea or message.

• It can be used to add depth and meaning to the text by invoking cultural knowledge and associations with the reference.

• Allusions are often indirect and require some familiarity with the subject matter being referenced for full understanding.

Extended Metaphor

• An extended metaphor is a literary device that compares two things in a more detailed and elaborate way than a simple metaphor.

• It is also known as a conceit or sustained metaphor. In an extended metaphor, the comparison between the two things continues throughout an entire poem, prose, or chapter of a novel rather than being contained within one sentence or phrase.

• The purpose of this type of figurative language is to create deeper meaning and insight for the reader by drawing out similarities between different objects or concepts over an extended period of time.