Poetry VocabularyPoetry Vocabulary

Word BankWord Bank

Elements of PoetryElements of Poetry

Includes:Includes:

Form (i.e. Narrative, free verse, lyrics, Form (i.e. Narrative, free verse, lyrics, sonnets, etc.)sonnets, etc.)

ToneTone

ImageryImagery

Figurative Language (similes, Figurative Language (similes, metaphors, and personification)metaphors, and personification)

Forms of PoetryForms of Poetry

1.1. Narrative poemsNarrative poems tell a story. tell a story.2.2. Lyric poemsLyric poems express the speaker’s feelings. express the speaker’s feelings.3.3. An An odeode is a type of lyric poem that celebrates is a type of lyric poem that celebrates

something.something.4.4. A A sonnetsonnet is also a lyric poem but follows very is also a lyric poem but follows very

strict rules.strict rules.5.5. An An elegyelegy mourns the loss of something important mourns the loss of something important

to the poet.to the poet.6.6. Free verseFree verse has no regular rhythm or rhyme. has no regular rhythm or rhyme.7.7. A A catalog poemcatalog poem is free verse that lists the poet’s is free verse that lists the poet’s

thoughts or feelings on a subject.thoughts or feelings on a subject.

Imagery (a.k.a. “sensory Imagery (a.k.a. “sensory language”)language”)

DefinitionDefinition: language that appeals to the : language that appeals to the senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch.touch.

ExampleExample::

GoopyGoopy glopsglops of of coldcold oatmeal. oatmeal.

goopy: touch or sightgoopy: touch or sight

glops: touch or sightglops: touch or sight

cold: touch or tastecold: touch or taste

Simile (figurative language)Simile (figurative language)

Definition:Definition:

A comparison between two unlike A comparison between two unlike things, using a word such as “like”, things, using a word such as “like”, “as”, “than”, or “resembles”.“as”, “than”, or “resembles”.

ExampleExample::

““I wandered I wandered lonely as a cloudlonely as a cloud””

Metaphor (figurative Metaphor (figurative language)language)

Definition:Definition:

A comparison between two unlike things A comparison between two unlike things in which one thing is said to be in which one thing is said to be another thing.another thing.

Example:Example:

““Well, son, I’ll tell you:Well, son, I’ll tell you:

LifeLife for me ain’t been no crystal for me ain’t been no crystal stairstair.”.”

Personification (figure of Personification (figure of speech)speech)

DefinitionDefinition::A figure of speech in which a nonhuman or A figure of speech in which a nonhuman or

nonliving thing or quality is talked about nonliving thing or quality is talked about as if it were human or alive.as if it were human or alive.

ExampleExample::……little brown rivers streaminglittle brown rivers streamingdown the roaddown the roadnibblingnibblingat the edges of the tired snow…at the edges of the tired snow…

ToneTone

Definition:Definition:

Attitude toward the subjectAttitude toward the subject

Example:Example:

If a poet thinks that a scene is happy If a poet thinks that a scene is happy and carefree, the details in the lines and carefree, the details in the lines will reflect that attitude.will reflect that attitude.

Sounds of PoetrySounds of Poetry

Includes:Includes:

RhythmRhythm

RhymeRhyme

RepetitionRepetition

AlliterationAlliteration

OnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeia

AlliterationAlliteration

DefinitionDefinition: a repetition of consonant : a repetition of consonant sounds in words that are close sounds in words that are close together.together.

ExampleExample::

SSally ally ssellellss sseaeashshellellss by the by the sseaeashshore.ore.

(The “sh” sound in the middle of the two (The “sh” sound in the middle of the two words is also alliteration.)words is also alliteration.)

OnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeia

DefinitionDefinition::

The use of a word whose sound The use of a word whose sound imitates or suggests its meaning.imitates or suggests its meaning.

ExamplesExamples::

hiss, buzz, snap, crackle, pop hiss, buzz, snap, crackle, pop

RhythmRhythm

Definition:Definition:

A musical quality produced by the repetition A musical quality produced by the repetition of stressed and unstressed syllables, or by of stressed and unstressed syllables, or by the repetition of certain other sound the repetition of certain other sound patternspatterns

Example:Example:

ںں / / ںں / / ںں / / ںں //

Day after day, day after day,Day after day, day after day,

ںں / / ںں / / ںں / / ںں

We stuck, nor breath nor motion;We stuck, nor breath nor motion;

ScanningScanning

Definition:Definition:

Marking a poem’s rhythm for stressed (/) Marking a poem’s rhythm for stressed (/) and unstressed (and unstressed (ںں) syllables ) syllables

Example:Example:

ںں ںں / / ںں ںں / / ںں ںں / /

““You are old, Father William,” the youngYou are old, Father William,” the young

// ںں

man said,man said,

RhymeRhyme

DefinitionDefinition::

The repetition of accented vowel The repetition of accented vowel sounds and all sounds following them sounds and all sounds following them in words that are close togetherin words that are close together

ExampleExample::

Back into the chamber tBack into the chamber turningurning, all my , all my soul within me bsoul within me burningurning..

Internal RhymeInternal Rhyme

Definition:Definition:

Rhymes within lines of a poemRhymes within lines of a poem

Examples:Examples:

Back into the chamber Back into the chamber turningturning, all my soul , all my soul within me within me burningburning

For the moon never For the moon never beamsbeams, without bringing , without bringing me me dreamsdreams

End RhymeEnd Rhyme

Definition:Definition: Rhymes at the end of a line Rhymes at the end of a line

Examples:Examples:Darkness settles on roofs and Darkness settles on roofs and wallswallsBut the sea, the sea in the darkness But the sea, the sea in the darkness callscalls;;The little waves, with their soft, white The little waves, with their soft, white handshands,,Efface the footprints in the Efface the footprints in the sandssands,,And the tide rises, the tide And the tide rises, the tide fallsfalls..

Henry Wadworth LongfellowHenry Wadworth Longfellow “ “The Tide Rises, the Tide The Tide Rises, the Tide

Falls”Falls”

RepetitionRepetition

DefinitionDefinition::The recurring use of a sound, a word, a phrase, The recurring use of a sound, a word, a phrase,

or a line which creates music, appeals to our or a line which creates music, appeals to our emotions, and emphasizes important ideas.emotions, and emphasizes important ideas.

ExamplesExamples::Riding, riding, ridingRiding, riding, ridingMarching, marching, marchingMarching, marching, marchingWet wet wetWet wet wet