theBASICS

the BASICS

LineDEFINITION: basic structural component of a poem. Literally, a row of words that ends somewhere.

the BASICS

StanzaDEFINITION: a formal division of lines in a poem that is considered as a unit. Separated by spaces. Like prose paragraphs, only for poetry. Conveys a single idea.

the BASICS

Types of StanzasCouplet

Triplet (tercet)Quatrain

Quintet (cinquain)Sestet (sextet)

Septet (heptastich)Octave

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2-line stanza3-line stanza4-line stanza5-line stanza6-line stanza7-line stanza8-line stanza

PoeticDevices

Poetic Devices

SimileDEFINITION: a figure of speech that uses like or as to make a direct comparison between two unlike ideas.

EXAMPLES:

He is as tall as a redwood tree.

She runs like a snail.

Poetic Devices

MetaphorDEFINITION: a figure of speech that describes something as though it were something else.

EXAMPLES:

from Tombstone >>> “Why Wyatt, you’re an oak.”

You are such a stick in the mud.

Poetic Devices

IdiomDEFINITION: an expression that has a meaning particular to a language or region. A phrase in which the literal meaning of the words does not add up to the actual meaning.

idiomsEXAMPLES:

to go bananas =

on pins and needles =

hit the ground running =

copycat =

in the doghouse =

fly off the handle =

to get super excited

waiting with much anxiety

to get a quick start on something

someone who copies or mimics

on someone’s bad side / in trouble

to get super angry, very fast

Poetic Devices

AnalogyDEFINITION: makes a comparison between two or more things that are similar in some ways but otherwise unalike – typically, A : B :: C : D – 2 things compared to 2 things.EXAMPLES:A glove is to hand as monitor is to computer.

Horses are to past societies as computers are to future societies.

Poetic Devices

HyperboleDEFINITION: obvious and intentional exaggeration

EXAMPLES:

These books weigh a ton.

I’m so tired I could sleep for a year.

Poetic Devices

SymbolDEFINITION: anything that stands for or represents something else. Symbols are common in everyday life.

EXAMPLES:See the following slides…

Poetic Devices

PersonificationDEFINITION: a type of figurative language in which a nonhuman subject is given human characteristics.

EXAMPLES:

Nature speaks to people.

The window winked at me.

Poetic Devices

PunDEFINITION: the humorous use of a word or phrase to emphasize or suggest different meanings or applications; words that are alike or nearly alike in sound but different in meaning; a play on words.EXAMPLES:

Illusionists always find themselves in tricky situations.

Romance isn't a science . . . it's a heart.

Poetic Devices

ParodyDEFINITION: a humorous or satirical imitation of a serious piece of literature or writing

EXAMPLES:

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Parry Hotter and the Seamy Side of MagicSense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters

Poetic Devices

OnomatopoeiaDEFINITION: the use of words that imitate sounds and can help put the reader in the activity of a poem.

EXAMPLES:

Thump

Squish

Phlblblbplb

Thwack

Kerplunk

Splink

Poetic Devices

AlliterationDEFINITION: the repetition of initial consonant sounds. Writers use alliteration to draw attention to certain words or ideas, to imitate sounds, and to create musical effects.

Poetic Devices

AssonanceDEFINITION: the effect created when words with the same vowel sound are used in close proximity, but where the consonant sounds in these words are different.

Poetic Devices

ConsonanceDEFINITION: the effect created when words with the same consonant sound are used in close proximity, but where the vowel sounds in these words are different.

Poetic Devices

RefrainDEFINITION: a regularly repeated line or group of lines in a poem or a song

Poetic Devices

Rhyme SchemeDEFINITION: a regular pattern of rhyming words in a poem. Each new rhyme is assigned the next letter of the alphabet, while repeat sounds get whatever letter they were first assigned.

Poetic Devices

End RhymeDEFINITION: rhyming at the ends of lines

Poetic Devices

Internal RhymeDEFINITION: rhyming within the lines