Poetry

Doggerel: Poem with irregular rhythm, often meant to be funny

Paraphrase: Restating a meaning in different words while keeping its essential ideas and emotions

Metaphor: Direct comparison between 2 unrelated things

Implied: Metaphor that suggests the comparison without stating it explicitly 

Extended: Metaphor that continues throughout multiple lines or the entire poem, developing deeper connections between the things being compared

Controlling: A single metaphor that dominates and shapes the meaning of a whole poem

Synecdoche: Metaphor where a part represents the whole                                                                    

Metonymy: Metaphor where something is represented by something closely associated with it (ex: “the crown” meaning the king)

Speaker: The voice in a poem, which may or may not be the poet themselves

Verse: A single line of poetry or a structured poetic composition with rhythm and meter

Anagram: Letters of a word or phrase are rearranged to form a new word or phrase, sometimes used for hidden meanings

Theme: The central idea or underlying message of a poem

Lyric: A short poem that expresses personal emotions or thoughts, often in a musical style

Narrative: A poem that tells a story, with characters, a setting, and a plot

Epic poem: A long narrative poem about heroic deeds and legendary figures, usually involving gods or supernatural elements

Cliché: An overused poetic phrase or idea

Stock responses: Expected or automatic emotional reactions in poetry, often due to familiar themes or cliches

Sentimentality: Overly emotional or exaggerated writing that tires too hard to evoke feelings

Diction: A poets choice of words and phrasing, which affects tone and meaning

Poetic diction: Elevated, sometimes old-fashioned language used in poetry for artistic effect

Formal diction: Proper, sophisticated word choices that create an elegant or serious tone

Middle diction: Language that is clear, grammatically correct, neither too formal or casual

Informal diction: Everyday, conversational language used in poetry

Colloquially: Language that mimics casual speech, often reflecting a specific region or group

Dialect: A way of speaking in poetry that represents a particular region, social group, or period

Jargon: Specialized or technical language used in poetry to reflect a specific profession or group

Denotation: The literal meaning of a word, without emotional or cultural associations

Connotation: The emotional/symbolic meanings attached to a word beyond its literal definition

Persona: The character or voice that the poet adopts in a poem, which may be different from their real identity

Ambiguity: When a poems meaning is open to multiple interpretations due to unclear or layered language

Syntax: The arrangement of words and phrases in a poem to create rhythm, meaning, or emphasis

Enjambment: When a poetic sentence or thought continues beyond the end of a line, creating a flowing effect

Tone: The poets attitude toward the subject or audience, conveyed through word choice and style

Dramatic monologue: A poem where a single speaker addresses a silent listener, revealing their thoughts and emotions

Carpe diem (To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time): A poetic theme meaning seize the day, encouraging people to enjoy life while they can

Metaphysical poem: Type of poetry that explores deep philosophical or spiritual themes using complex imagery and metaphors

Allusion: A reference in poetry to a well-known person, place, event, or literary work

Pun: A play on words that creates humor or multiple meanings in a poem

Image: A vivid description in poetry that appeals to the senses, helping readers visualize scenes, emotions, or ideas