PoetryVocabulary, Types and Examples

Language in Poetry Two Types:

Figurative – language used to create a special effect in feeling; characterized by figures of speech or language that compares, exaggerates, or words that mean something other than its literal meaning.

Literal – The exact primary meaning of a word or words.

DICTION Diction – an author’s choice of words based on

their correctness, clarity (clear), or effectiveness. Some words are purposely chosen to represent

ideas, not to come right out and say them.

IMAGERY Imagery – words or phrases a writer selects to

create a certain picture in the mind; based on sensory detail. Imagery uses descriptive words to evoke the five

senses.

METER AND RHYTHM

Meter and rhythm describe patterned repetition of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry. The meter and rhythm of a poem creates a beat.

VERSE AND REFRAINVerse – metric line of poetry names according

to the kind and number of feet composing it. Refrain – repetition of a line or phrase of a

poem at regular intervals, especially at the end of a stanza (chorus).

STANZAStanza – a division of poetry named for the

number of lines it contains. When you see a space between lines in a poem, that

means a new stanza is beginning.

RHYMERhyme – similarity or likeness of sound existing

between two words. T op = St op C at= M at

END RHYMEEnd Rhyme – rhyming words that appear at the

ends of two or more lines of poetry. I do not like green eggs and ham. I do not like them Sam I am.

INTERNAL RHYMEInternal Rhyme – occurs when rhyming words

appear in the same line of poetry. The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain.

RHYME SCHEMERhyme Scheme – the pattern or sequence in

which rhyme sounds occur in a stanza or poem. To label a rhyme scheme, a similar letter is assigned

to each pair of rhyming sounds in a stanza.

LABELING RHYME SCHEMESonnet 18 by William Shakespeare Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? A Though are more lovely and temperate: B Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, A And summer’s lease hath all to short a date. B Sometimes too hot the eye of heaven shines C And often is his gold complexion dimmed; D And every fair from fair sometimes declines C By chance or nature changing course untrimmed. D

The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD

ALLITERATIONAlliteration – repetition of initial consonant

sounds in words. She sells sea shells down by the seashore.

ASSONANCEAssonance – repetition of vowel sounds without

the repetition of consonant sounds. How now brown cow.

SIMILESimile – comparison of two unlike things using

the words “like” or “as.” He acts like an animal when he eats!

METAPHORMetaphor – comparison of two unlike things

NOT using “like” or “as.” He is an animal when he eats!

PERSONIFICATIONPersonification – giving human qualities to non-

human objects. The wind whispered through the trees. The sun smiled down on the earth. The flag waved at us. The statue stared at us.

ONOMATOPOEIAOnomatopoeia – the use of a word whose sound

suggests its meaning.

HYPERBOLEHyperbole – The use of exaggeration for a

heightened effect.

ALLUSIONAllusion – an indirect reference to art, literature,

history, etc. that the author expects the reader to recognize.

SYMBOLISM/SYMBOLSymbolism – the use of a person, place, or

thing or an event used to represent something else. Symbol – the use of a concrete object to represent something abstract.

PARADOXParadox – an apparent contradiction which is

somehow true.

OXYMORONOxymoron – a paradox where two successive

words (side by side) seemingly contradict each other.

METONYMYMetonymy – the substitution of a term naming an

object closely associated with the word in mind for the word itself. Saying “The White House decided..” to indicate

what the President did.

SAMPLE CINQUAINCINQUAIN (“sin-kane) – five line poem with definite

requirements for each line. Line 1: One word – what the poem is about (noun). Line 2: Two words – words that describe the word in line 1

(adjectives). Line 3: Three words – actions associated with the word in

line 1; what it does (verbs in the same form) Line 4: Four Words – Words that express thought or feeling

about the word in line 1; words that make a statement about the word in line 1 (NOT A COMPLETE SENTENCE)

Line 5: One word – Another word for the word in line 1; or a word that tells how you feel about the word in line 1 (noun)

SAMPLE CINQUAINMice Little, quiet Running, crawling, jumping Eat holes in furniture Demons

DIAMANTE (DIAMOND)Diamante – seven-line poem with definite requirements. Line 1: One word (noun that has an opposite) Line 2: Two words (two adjectives describing the noun) Line 3: Three words (three participles – words ending in

–ing or –ed) Line 4: Four words (two nouns related to the word in

line 1 and two nouns that are opposite of the first two) Line 5: Three words (three participles indicating change

or development of the subject ending in –ing or –ed) Line 6: Two words (two adjectives carrying on the idea

of change or development) Line 7: One word (noun that is opposite of line 1)

SAMPLE DIAMANTEFire

Red, hot Burning, scalding, blistering Heat, flames – frost, freezer Cooling, soothing, refreshing

Cold, chilly Ice

Notice the diamond shape of the poem.

BALLADBallad-Simple narrative poem. Presents a single

dramatic episode. Story told through action and dialogue. Deals with subjects such as adventure, love,

jealousy, heroism, disaster, or revenge. Four-line stanzas. Usually meant to be sung. Usually ABCB rhyme scheme. Usually has a refrain – ending of a stanza or

separate stanza that is repeated.

HAIKUHaiku – traditional form of Japanese poetry

composed of three lines. Haiku is used to capture a moment, express a feeling, and/or celebrate some phase or element of nature.

1 Line – 5 syllables 2 Line – 7 syllables 3 Line – 5 syllables

These lines can be in any order.

SAMPLE HAIKUAroma so sweet,

Whoppers sitting on a plate, The thrill of eating.