Basics of Poetry Basics of Poetry

““Introduction to Poetry,” Literary Introduction to Poetry,” Literary Terms, How to Read a Poem, and Terms, How to Read a Poem, and Helpful WebsitesHelpful Websites

Introduction to Poetry Introduction to Poetry by Billy Collinsby Billy CollinsI ask them to take a poem

and hold it up to the light like a color slide

or press an ear against its hive.

I say drop a mouse into a poem and watch him probe his way out,

or walk inside the poem's room and feel the walls for a light switch.

I want them to water ski across the surface of a poem waving at the author's name on the shore.

But all they want to do is tie the poem to a chair with rope and torture a confession out of it.

They begin beating it with a hose to find out what it really means.

Literary Literary TermsTerms

AllegoryAllegory - - sometimes called an extended metaphor, sometimes called an extended metaphor, is the representation of abstract ideas by characters or is the representation of abstract ideas by characters or events in narrative, dramatic, or pictorial form. events in narrative, dramatic, or pictorial form.

work-length narratives such as Bunyan's work-length narratives such as Bunyan's Pilgrim's ProgressPilgrim's Progress..

As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain place where was a den and laid me down in that place to sleep; and as I slept, I dreamed a dream. I dreamed, and behold, I saw a man clothed with rags, standing in a certain place, with his face from his own house, a book in his hand, and a great burden upon his back. I looked and saw him open the book, and read therein; and as he read, he wept and trembled; and not being able longer to contain, he brake out with a lamentable cry, saying, “What shall I do?”

Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress

AlliterationAlliteration - - Alliteration is the succession of similar Alliteration is the succession of similar consonant sounds. They are not recognized by spelling, but consonant sounds. They are not recognized by spelling, but rather by sounds.rather by sounds.

““Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.” peppers.”

The wild and woolly walrus waits and The wild and woolly walrus waits and wonders when we'll walk by. wonders when we'll walk by.

AllusionAllusion - - Referencing a person place or thing, usually Referencing a person place or thing, usually indirectly, that is believed to be known by the reader. indirectly, that is believed to be known by the reader. Sometimes these references are footnoted or glossed.Sometimes these references are footnoted or glossed.

In In TheThe MatrixMatrix – Trinity tells Neo to “follow – Trinity tells Neo to “follow the white rabbit”; a cybernaut tells Neo, the white rabbit”; a cybernaut tells Neo, “fasten your seatbelt, Dorothy, ‘cause “fasten your seatbelt, Dorothy, ‘cause Kansas is goin’ bye bye.” The “white Kansas is goin’ bye bye.” The “white rabbit” is an allusion to rabbit” is an allusion to Alice’s Alice’s Adventures in WonderlandAdventures in Wonderland by Lewis by Lewis Carroll and Carroll and The Wizard of OzThe Wizard of Oz by L. Frank by L. Frank Baum.Baum.

AnalogyAnalogy - The use of words of phrases that share meaning - The use of words of phrases that share meaning but are dissimilar.but are dissimilar.

shoeshoe is to is to footfoot as as tiretire is to is to wheelwheel followersfollowers are to a are to a leaderleader as as planetsplanets are are

to a to a sunsun shellsshells were to were to ancient culturesancient cultures as as

dollar billsdollar bills are to are to modern culturemodern culture Similes and Metaphors are great Similes and Metaphors are great

examples of analogiesexamples of analogies

AnaphoraAnaphora - - A word or expression used repeatedly at the A word or expression used repeatedly at the beginning of successive phrases. This is usually used for poetic beginning of successive phrases. This is usually used for poetic or rhetorical effect.or rhetorical effect.

ThisThis royal throne of kings, royal throne of kings, thisthis sceptred isle, sceptred isle, ThisThis earth of majesty, earth of majesty, thisthis seat of Mars, seat of Mars, This This other Eden, demi-paradise,other Eden, demi-paradise,This This fortress built by Nature for herselffortress built by Nature for herselfAgainst infection and the hand of war,Against infection and the hand of war,ThisThis happy breed of men, happy breed of men, thisthis little world, little world,ThisThis precious stone set in the silver sea, precious stone set in the silver sea,Which serves it in the office of a wall,Which serves it in the office of a wall,Or as [a] moat defensive to a house,Or as [a] moat defensive to a house,Against the envy of less happier lands;Against the envy of less happier lands;ThisThis blessed plot, blessed plot, thisthis earth, earth, thisthis realm, realm, thisthis England, England,ThisThis nurse, nurse, thisthis teeming womb of royal kings [. . .] teeming womb of royal kings [. . .]ThisThis land of such dear souls, land of such dear souls, thisthis dear dear land, dear dear land,Dear for her reputation through the world,Dear for her reputation through the world,Is now leas'd out — I die pronouncing it —Is now leas'd out — I die pronouncing it —Like to a tenement or pelting farm. Like to a tenement or pelting farm.

——John of Gaunt in Shakespeare's John of Gaunt in Shakespeare's Richard IIRichard II (2.1.40-51; 57-60) (2.1.40-51; 57-60)

AntithesisAntithesis - Placing a pair of words, phrases, clauses, or - Placing a pair of words, phrases, clauses, or sentences side by side in contrast and opposition.sentences side by side in contrast and opposition.

"It has been my experience that folks "It has been my experience that folks who have no who have no vicesvices have very few have very few virtues." —Abraham Lincolnvirtues." —Abraham Lincoln

ApostropheApostrophe - - the addressing of an absent or imaginary the addressing of an absent or imaginary personperson

It appears often in Shakespeare's and It appears often in Shakespeare's and Whitman's works. An example: "O Whitman's works. An example: "O Opportunity, thy guilt is great!" from Opportunity, thy guilt is great!" from Shakespeare's "The Rape of Lucrece." Shakespeare's "The Rape of Lucrece." Another: "O Night, thou furnace of foul Another: "O Night, thou furnace of foul reeking smoke!" from the same epic reeking smoke!" from the same epic poem.poem.

AssonanceAssonance - The succession of similar vowel sounds that - The succession of similar vowel sounds that are not recognized by spelling, rather by sound. are not recognized by spelling, rather by sound. Do not Do not confuse this with alliteration which is the repetition of confuse this with alliteration which is the repetition of consonants.consonants.

holy and stony holy and stony fleet feet sweep by sleeping geesefleet feet sweep by sleeping geese ““The bows glided down, and the coast The bows glided down, and the coast

Blackened with birds took a last look Blackened with birds took a last look At his thrashing hair and whale-blue eye At his thrashing hair and whale-blue eye The trodden town rang its cobbles for luck.”The trodden town rang its cobbles for luck.”

--Dylan Thomas--Dylan Thomas

Assonance is involved in "bows" (pronounced "boughs") and "down"; Assonance is involved in "bows" (pronounced "boughs") and "down"; "blackened," "last," "thrashing," "hair," "whale," and "rang"; "took" and "look"; "blackened," "last," "thrashing," "hair," "whale," and "rang"; "took" and "look"; and "trodden" and "cobbles." (In passing one might also note the pattern of and "trodden" and "cobbles." (In passing one might also note the pattern of ALLITERATION in this stanza and that the RHYMING of look with luck is an ALLITERATION in this stanza and that the RHYMING of look with luck is an example of consonance. example of consonance.

BalladBallad - A form of verse to be sung or recited and - A form of verse to be sung or recited and characterized by its presentation of a dramatic or exciting characterized by its presentation of a dramatic or exciting

EPISODE in simple narrative form.EPISODE in simple narrative form. The Gothic BalladThe Gothic Ballad

  I walk carelessly down the dark road  I walk carelessly down the dark roadMy heavy black boots constantly clickingMy heavy black boots constantly clickingClicking on the cold cementClicking on the cold cementMy long black and velvet Trench coat My long black and velvet Trench coat Billowing in the slight breezeBillowing in the slight breezeMy Chest slightly rising under my tight corsetMy Chest slightly rising under my tight corsetMy chains on my pants jingling togetherMy chains on my pants jingling togetherAs I walk down this Moon lit roadAs I walk down this Moon lit roadStaring up at the midnight moonStaring up at the midnight moonThis is the balladThis is the balladThe ballad of the lostThe ballad of the lostOf the silent warriorsOf the silent warriorsOf the people you pass by and call freaksOf the people you pass by and call freaksOf the peopleOf the peopleWho will save your soulWho will save your soulFor our souls are pureFor our souls are pureOur souls sing this balladOur souls sing this balladThe ballad of the nightThe ballad of the nightThe ballad of the pure hearts The ballad of the pure hearts

Ankoku GekidoAnkoku Gekido

Blank VerseBlank Verse - - Simply defined as unrhymed verse or Simply defined as unrhymed verse or unrhymed iambic pentameter.unrhymed iambic pentameter.

"To one who has been long in city pent"To one who has been long in city pent

‘‘Tis very sweet to look into the fairTis very sweet to look into the fair And open face of heaven." (John Keats) And open face of heaven." (John Keats)

Close RhymeClose Rhyme - - A rhyme of two close words.A rhyme of two close words.

such as "red" "head". such as "red" "head".

ConceitConceit - - An ingenious, logically complicated image, or an An ingenious, logically complicated image, or an elaborate metaphor.elaborate metaphor.

THE VINE.THE VINE.by Robert Herrickby Robert Herrick

I DREAM'D this mortal part of mine I DREAM'D this mortal part of mine Was Metamorphoz'd to a Vine; Was Metamorphoz'd to a Vine; Which crawling one and every way, Which crawling one and every way, Enthrall'd my dainty Enthrall'd my dainty LuciaLucia. . Me thought, her long small legs & thighs Me thought, her long small legs & thighs I with my I with my TendrilsTendrils did surprize; did surprize; Her Belly, Buttocks, and her Waste Her Belly, Buttocks, and her Waste By my soft By my soft Nerv'litsNerv'lits were embrac'd: were embrac'd: About her head I writhing hung, About her head I writhing hung, And with rich clusters (hid among And with rich clusters (hid among The leaves) her temples I behung: The leaves) her temples I behung: So that my Lucia seem'd to me So that my Lucia seem'd to me Young Young BacchusBacchus ravished by his tree. ravished by his tree.My curles about her neck did craule, My curles about her neck did craule, And armes and hands they did enthrall: And armes and hands they did enthrall: So that she could not freely stir,So that she could not freely stir,(All parts there made one prisoner.) (All parts there made one prisoner.) But when I crept with leaves to hide But when I crept with leaves to hide Those parts, which maids keep unespy'd, Those parts, which maids keep unespy'd, Such fleeting pleasures there I took,Such fleeting pleasures there I took,That with the fancie I awook; That with the fancie I awook; And found (Ah me!) this flesh of mine And found (Ah me!) this flesh of mine More like a More like a StockStock then like a then like a VineVine..

ConsonanceConsonance - - The close repetition of the same end The close repetition of the same end consonants of stressed syllables with differing vowel sounds.consonants of stressed syllables with differing vowel sounds.

the "t" sound in "Is it blunt and flat?" the "t" sound in "Is it blunt and flat?" Alliteration differs from consonance Alliteration differs from consonance insofar as alliteration requires the insofar as alliteration requires the repeated consonant sound to be at the repeated consonant sound to be at the beginning of each word, where in beginning of each word, where in consonance it is anywhere within the consonance it is anywhere within the word, although often at the end.word, although often at the end.

CoupletCouplet - Two lines of VERSE with similar END-RHYMES. - Two lines of VERSE with similar END-RHYMES. Formally, the couplet is a two-line STANZA with both Formally, the couplet is a two-line STANZA with both grammatical structure and idea complete within itself.grammatical structure and idea complete within itself.

From Maxine Kumin's "Morning Swim" From Maxine Kumin's "Morning Swim"

Into my empty head there comeInto my empty head there comea cotton beach, a dock wherefroma cotton beach, a dock wherefrom

I set out, oily and nudeI set out, oily and nudethrough mist in oily solitude.through mist in oily solitude.

DictionDiction - choice of words esp. with regard to correctness, - choice of words esp. with regard to correctness, clearness, or effectivenessclearness, or effectiveness

In In A Lesson Before DyingA Lesson Before Dying – Jefferson’s Diary – Jefferson’s Diary

DirgeDirge - - A poem of grave meditation, or lament. The dirge is A poem of grave meditation, or lament. The dirge is a song of lamentation that is apt to be less meditative than a song of lamentation that is apt to be less meditative than the elegy.the elegy.

Dramatic PoemDramatic Poem - - A composition of verse that portrays A composition of verse that portrays the story of life or character, involving conflict and emotions.the story of life or character, involving conflict and emotions.

Traditional dramatic poetry differs from Traditional dramatic poetry differs from dramatic prose mainly in the formal dramatic prose mainly in the formal construction of the poetic utterance, which is construction of the poetic utterance, which is organized on the basis of a repetitive rhythmic organized on the basis of a repetitive rhythmic structure for each line. Dramatic poetry, in structure for each line. Dramatic poetry, in other words, gives us spoken language which other words, gives us spoken language which departs considerably from naturalistic speech departs considerably from naturalistic speech patterns, mainly because the poetry is more patterns, mainly because the poetry is more tightly and formally organized (i.e., patterned). tightly and formally organized (i.e., patterned).

End RhymeEnd Rhyme – A rhyme occurring in the terminating word – A rhyme occurring in the terminating word or syllable of one line of poetry with that of another line, as or syllable of one line of poetry with that of another line, as opposed to internal rhyme.opposed to internal rhyme.

EpicEpic - - An Epic is a long narrative poem celebrating the An Epic is a long narrative poem celebrating the adventures and achievements of a hero...epics deal with the adventures and achievements of a hero...epics deal with the traditions, mythical or historical, of a nation.traditions, mythical or historical, of a nation.

Beowulf, The Iliad and the Odyssey,and Aeneid

EpigramEpigram - - Epigrams are short satirical poems ending with Epigrams are short satirical poems ending with either a humorous retort or a stinging punch-line.either a humorous retort or a stinging punch-line.

““What is an Epigram? A dwarfish whole,What is an Epigram? A dwarfish whole,Its body brevity, and wit its soul.”Its body brevity, and wit its soul.”

--Samuel Coleridge--Samuel Coleridge

Extended MetaphorExtended Metaphor - A metaphor which is drawn- - A metaphor which is drawn-out beyond the usual word or phrase to extend throughout a out beyond the usual word or phrase to extend throughout a stanza or an entire poem, usually by using multiple stanza or an entire poem, usually by using multiple comparisons between the unlike objects or ideas.comparisons between the unlike objects or ideas.

Well, son, I'll tell you:Well, son, I'll tell you:Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.It's had tacks in it,It's had tacks in it,And splinters,And splinters,And boards torn up,And boards torn up,And places with no carpet on the floor --And places with no carpet on the floor --Bare.Bare.But all the timeBut all the timeI'se been a-climbin' on,I'se been a-climbin' on,And reachin' landin's,And reachin' landin's,And turnin' corners,And turnin' corners,And sometimes goin' in the darkAnd sometimes goin' in the darkWhere there ain't been no light.Where there ain't been no light.So boy, don't you turn back.So boy, don't you turn back.Don't you set down on the stepsDon't you set down on the steps'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.Don't you fall now --Don't you fall now --For I'se still goin', honey,For I'se still goin', honey,I'se still climbin',I'se still climbin',And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

-- “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes-- “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes

FootFoot – – A rhythmic or metrical unit; the division in verse of a A rhythmic or metrical unit; the division in verse of a group of syllables, one of which is long or accented.group of syllables, one of which is long or accented.

Iamb or Iambus (iambic): = u /

behold, amuse, arise, awake, return, Noel, depict, destroy, inject, inscribe, insist, employ, "to be," inspire, unwashed, "Of Mice and Men," "the South will rise again." Trochee (trochaic): = / u / u happy, hammer, Pittsburgh, nugget, double, incest, injure, roses, hippie, bubba, beat it, clever, dental, dinner, shatter, pitcher, Cleveland, chosen, planet, chorus, widow, bladder, cuddle, slacker, doctor, Memphis, "Doctor Wheeler," "Douglas County," market, picket Spondee (spondaic): = / / / / football, Mayday, D-Day, heartbreak, Key West, shortcake, plopplop, fizz-fizz, drop-dead, dead man, dumbbell, childhood, goofoff, race-track, bathrobe, black hole, breakdown, love-song Dactyl (dactylic): = / u u / u u strawberry, carefully, changeable, merrily, mannequin, tenderly, prominent, buffalo, Bellingham, bitterly, notable, horrible, glycerin, parable, scorpion, Indianapolis, Jefferson Anapest (anapestic): = u u / u u / understand, interrupt, comprehend, anapest, New Rochelle, contradict, "get a life," Coeur d'Alene, "In the blink of an eye" There are five most commonly used sets of feet are iambic (iamb), trochaic (trochee), anapestic (anapest), dactylic There are five most commonly used sets of feet are iambic (iamb), trochaic (trochee), anapestic (anapest), dactylic

(dactyl), and spondaic (spondee).(dactyl), and spondaic (spondee).

Free VerseFree Verse - Poetry that is based on the irregular - Poetry that is based on the irregular rhythmic CADENCE or the recurrence, with variations, of rhythmic CADENCE or the recurrence, with variations, of phrases, images, and syntactical patterns rather than the phrases, images, and syntactical patterns rather than the conventional use of METER. RHYME may or may not be present conventional use of METER. RHYME may or may not be present in free verse, but when it is, it is used with great freedom.in free verse, but when it is, it is used with great freedom.

““All truths wait in all things All truths wait in all things They neither hasten their own delivery They neither hasten their own delivery nor resist it, nor resist it, They do not need the obstetric forceps of They do not need the obstetric forceps of the surgeon.”the surgeon.”

--Walt Whitman, --Walt Whitman, Leaves of Leaves of GrassGrass

HaikuHaiku - A form of Japanese poetry which states in three - A form of Japanese poetry which states in three lines of five, seven, and five syllables a clear picture designed lines of five, seven, and five syllables a clear picture designed to arouse a distinct emotion and suggest a specific spiritual to arouse a distinct emotion and suggest a specific spiritual insight.insight.

““Green frog,Green frog,Is your body alsoIs your body alsofreshly painted?”freshly painted?”

---- Ryunosuke Akutagawa Ryunosuke Akutagawa

HomonymHomonym - - One of two or more words that have the One of two or more words that have the same sound and often the same spelling but differ in meaning.same sound and often the same spelling but differ in meaning.

such as n. wind (moving air) and v. wind such as n. wind (moving air) and v. wind (to wrap or entwine)(to wrap or entwine)

HyperboleHyperbole - - A figure of speech in which exaggeration is A figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effectused for emphasis or effect

"I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse.“"I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse.“ mile-high ice-cream cones mile-high ice-cream cones

IambicIambic - A metrical foot consisting of an unaccented - A metrical foot consisting of an unaccented syllable (noted by "x") and an accented or stressed one.syllable (noted by "x") and an accented or stressed one.

the most common metrical measure in the most common metrical measure in English verse. A line from Christopher English verse. A line from Christopher Marlow serves to illustrate: Marlow serves to illustrate:

x / x / x / x /x / x / x / x /

Come live | with me | and be | my love.Come live | with me | and be | my love.

ImageryImagery – – Elements in literature used to evoke mental Elements in literature used to evoke mental images of the visual sense, and sometimes of sensation and images of the visual sense, and sometimes of sensation and emotion as well.emotion as well.

I took a walk I took a walk around the worldaround the world to toEase my troubled mindEase my troubled mindI left my I left my body layingbody laying somewhere somewhereIn the In the sands of timesands of timeI watched the world float to the I watched the world float to the darkSide of the moondarkSide of the moonI feel there is nothing I can doI feel there is nothing I can do

--"Kryptonite" by Three Doors Down--"Kryptonite" by Three Doors Down

Internal RhymeInternal Rhyme – a – a rhyme occurring in mid-line rhyme occurring in mid-line

– – the first stanza of Edgar Allan Poe’s "The Raven":the first stanza of Edgar Allan Poe’s "The Raven":

““Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door." 'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door;" 'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door;Only this, and nothing more."Only this, and nothing more."

Note that in lines 1 and 3 you get an internal rhyme with "dreary" Note that in lines 1 and 3 you get an internal rhyme with "dreary" and "weary," and "napping" and "tapping." and "weary," and "napping" and "tapping."

LineLine - A formal structural division of a poem, consisting of - A formal structural division of a poem, consisting of one or more feet arranged as a separate rhythmical entity.one or more feet arranged as a separate rhythmical entity.

The line is a "unit of attention," but it is not necessarily a unit of sense: in The line is a "unit of attention," but it is not necessarily a unit of sense: in fact, poems are rather rare in which individual lines constitute complete fact, poems are rather rare in which individual lines constitute complete sense units. For this reason, line divisions, unless they happen to coincide sense units. For this reason, line divisions, unless they happen to coincide with sense pauses (whether indicated by punctuation or not), are often as with sense pauses (whether indicated by punctuation or not), are often as unrelated to the rhetoric of poetic assertions as foot divisions. Lines are unrelated to the rhetoric of poetic assertions as foot divisions. Lines are commonly classified according to their length in feet: commonly classified according to their length in feet:

monometer monometer a line of 1 foot a line of 1 foot DimeterDimeter 2 feet 2 feet trimeter trimeter 3 feet 3 feet tetrameter tetrameter 4 feet 4 feet pentameter pentameter 5 feet5 feet hexameter hexameter 6 feet 6 feet heptameter heptameter 7 feet 7 feet octameter octameter 8 feet8 feet

MeterMeter – A measure of rhythmic quantity organized into – A measure of rhythmic quantity organized into groups of syllables at regular intervals in a line of poetrygroups of syllables at regular intervals in a line of poetry

English poetry employs five basic rhythms of varying stressed (/) English poetry employs five basic rhythms of varying stressed (/) and unstressed (x) syllables. The meters are iambs, trochees, and unstressed (x) syllables. The meters are iambs, trochees, spondees, anapests and dactyls. In this document the stressed spondees, anapests and dactyls. In this document the stressed syllables are marked in boldface type rather than the tradition al "/" syllables are marked in boldface type rather than the tradition al "/" and "x." Each unit of rhythm is called a "foot" of poetry. and "x." Each unit of rhythm is called a "foot" of poetry.

The meters with two-syllable feet are The meters with two-syllable feet are IAMBIC (x /) : That IAMBIC (x /) : That timetime of of yearyear thou thou mayst mayst in in meme be beholdhold TROCHAIC (/ x): TROCHAIC (/ x): TellTell me me not not in in mournmournful ful numnumbersbers SPONDAIC (/ /): SPONDAIC (/ /): BreakBreak, , breakbreak, , breakbreak/ On thy / On thy coldcold graygray stonesstones, ,

O O SeaSea! ! Meters with three-syllable feet are Meters with three-syllable feet are ANAPESTIC (x x /): And theANAPESTIC (x x /): And the sound sound of a of a voicevoice that is that is stillstill DACTYLIC (/ x x): DACTYLIC (/ x x): ThisThis is the is the forforest priest primemeval, the val, the murmurmuring muring

pinespines and the and the hemhemlock (a trochee replaces the final dactyl)lock (a trochee replaces the final dactyl)

MetaphorMetaphor - - Used to suggest a relationship between an Used to suggest a relationship between an object or ideaobject or idea

““No man is an island” —John DonneNo man is an island” —John Donne

OdeOde - - An elaborately composed verse that is enthusiastic in An elaborately composed verse that is enthusiastic in tone. It often has varying iambic line lengths with no fixed tone. It often has varying iambic line lengths with no fixed system of rhyme schemes. It often addresses a praised person system of rhyme schemes. It often addresses a praised person or object.or object.

crop from George Keats's manuscript copy of 'Ode on crop from George Keats's manuscript copy of 'Ode on a Grecian Urn'a Grecian Urn'

Thou still unravish'd bride of quietness, Thou still unravish'd bride of quietness,     Thou foster-child of silence and slow time,     Thou foster-child of silence and slow time, Sylvan historian, who canst thou express Sylvan historian, who canst thou express     A flowery tale more sweetly than our rhyme:     A flowery tale more sweetly than our rhyme: What leaf-fring'd legend haunt about thy shape What leaf-fring'd legend haunt about thy shape     Of deities or mortals, or of both,     Of deities or mortals, or of both,         In Tempe or the dales of Arcady?         In Tempe or the dales of Arcady?     What men or gods are these?  What maidens loth?     What men or gods are these?  What maidens loth? What mad pursuit?  What struggle to escape? What mad pursuit?  What struggle to escape?         What pipes and timbrels?  What wild ecstasy?         What pipes and timbrels?  What wild ecstasy?

OnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeia - - Words used in place of where a Words used in place of where a reader should hear sounds. reader should hear sounds.

Words such as pop, crackle, snap, whiz, Words such as pop, crackle, snap, whiz, buzz, zing, etc. buzz, zing, etc.

OxymoronOxymoron - - The joining of two words that seem to be The joining of two words that seem to be contradictory (opposites), but offer a unique effect.contradictory (opposites), but offer a unique effect.

such as living deaths, freezing fires, such as living deaths, freezing fires, deafening silence, and pretty uglydeafening silence, and pretty ugly

Pattern PoetryPattern Poetry – – Poetry written with words, letters, Poetry written with words, letters, and lines to produce a visual image to help convey the idea or and lines to produce a visual image to help convey the idea or topic of the poemtopic of the poem

by George Herbert by George Herbert    

EASTER WINGSEASTER WINGS

Lord, who createdst man in wealth and store,   Though foolishly Lord, who createdst man in wealth and store,   Though foolishly he lost the same,     Decaying more and more,      Till he he lost the same,     Decaying more and more,      Till he became        Most poore:        With thee      Oh let me rise became        Most poore:        With thee      Oh let me rise As larks, harmoniously, And sing this day  thy victories:Then shall As larks, harmoniously, And sing this day  thy victories:Then shall the fall further the flight in me.My  tender  age  in  sorrow   did   the fall further the flight in me.My  tender  age  in  sorrow   did   beginne:   And still with sicknesses and shame     Thou  didst  so  beginne:   And still with sicknesses and shame     Thou  didst  so  punish  sinne,       That  I  became         Most thinne.         With  punish  sinne,       That  I  became         Most thinne.         With  thee        Let me combine    And feel this day thy victorie:  For,  thee        Let me combine    And feel this day thy victorie:  For,  if  I  imp  my  wing  on  thine Affliction shall  advance the  flight in  if  I  imp  my  wing  on  thine Affliction shall  advance the  flight in  me.me.

PersonificationPersonification - - A form of metaphor where an A form of metaphor where an inanimate object, animal, or idea is given human-like inanimate object, animal, or idea is given human-like characteristicscharacteristics

such as "Night swallowed the sun's last such as "Night swallowed the sun's last ray of light" ray of light"

PunPun - A play on words that sound similar for a humorous - A play on words that sound similar for a humorous effect.effect.

““I do it for the pun of it"; "his constant I do it for the pun of it"; "his constant punning irritated her" punning irritated her" 

RepititionRepitition - Repetition of a sound, syllable, word, - Repetition of a sound, syllable, word, phrase, line, stanza, or metrical pattern is a basic unifying phrase, line, stanza, or metrical pattern is a basic unifying device in all poetry. It may reinforce, supplement, or even device in all poetry. It may reinforce, supplement, or even substitute for meter, the other chief controlling factor in the substitute for meter, the other chief controlling factor in the

arrangement of words into poetry.arrangement of words into poetry. ““Because I do not hope to turn againBecause I do not hope to turn again

Because I do not hopeBecause I do not hopeBecause I do not hope to turn”Because I do not hope to turn”

--T.S. Eliot--T.S. Eliot

Rhetorical QuestionRhetorical Question – – A question asked for effect, A question asked for effect, but not demanding an answerbut not demanding an answer

When someone responds to a tragic event by saying, "Why me, God?!" it is more likely to be an accusation or an expression of feeling than a realistic request for information.

RhymeRhyme - A recurrence of similar ending sounds at the ends - A recurrence of similar ending sounds at the ends

of a poetic line/verseof a poetic line/verse

such as 'run' and 'sun', or 'night' and such as 'run' and 'sun', or 'night' and 'light'.'light'.

RhythmRhythm - - The rise and fall of stress (stressed and The rise and fall of stress (stressed and unstressed syllables); a metrical pattern or flow of sound in unstressed syllables); a metrical pattern or flow of sound in verseverse

SonnetSonnet - A lyric poem of fourteen lines, following one or - A lyric poem of fourteen lines, following one or another of several set rhyme-schemes. another of several set rhyme-schemes.

The two characteristic sonnet types are the Italian (Petrarchan) The two characteristic sonnet types are the Italian (Petrarchan) and the English (Shakespearean).and the English (Shakespearean).

Sonnet -Sonnet 1Sonnet -Sonnet 1From fairest creatures we desire increase, From fairest creatures we desire increase, That thereby beauty's rose might never die, That thereby beauty's rose might never die, But as the riper should by time decease, But as the riper should by time decease, His tender heir might bear his memory: His tender heir might bear his memory: But thou, contracted to thine own bright eyes, But thou, contracted to thine own bright eyes, Feed'st thy light'st flame with self-substantial fuel, Feed'st thy light'st flame with self-substantial fuel, Making a famine where abundance lies, Making a famine where abundance lies, Thyself thy foe, to thy sweet self too cruel. Thyself thy foe, to thy sweet self too cruel. Thou that art now the world's fresh ornament Thou that art now the world's fresh ornament And only herald to the gaudy spring, And only herald to the gaudy spring, Within thine own bud buriest thy content Within thine own bud buriest thy content And, tender churl, makest waste in niggarding. And, tender churl, makest waste in niggarding. Pity the world, or else this glutton be, Pity the world, or else this glutton be, To eat the world's due, by the grave and thee.To eat the world's due, by the grave and thee.

Sight RhymeSight Rhyme - - A rhyme consisting of words with similar A rhyme consisting of words with similar spellings but different sounds. Also called eye rhyme.spellings but different sounds. Also called eye rhyme.

such as “the blowing such as “the blowing windwind does does windwind down the hall.” down the hall.”

SimileSimile - - A comparison between two unlike things using like A comparison between two unlike things using like or as, etc.or as, etc.

such as "Your eyes are like sparkling such as "Your eyes are like sparkling diamonds".diamonds".

StanzaStanza - - One of the divisions of a poem, composed of two One of the divisions of a poem, composed of two or more lines of verse usually characterized by a common or more lines of verse usually characterized by a common pattern of meter, rhyme, or number of lines.pattern of meter, rhyme, or number of lines.

StyleStyle - - The poet's individual creativeThe poet's individual creative

process, through figurative language,process, through figurative language,

sounds, and rhythmic patterns.sounds, and rhythmic patterns.

SymbolSymbol - - An image or icon that represents something else An image or icon that represents something else by association.by association.

"The Sick Rose" "The Sick Rose"         

     O rose, thou art sick!O rose, thou art sick!      The invisible worm      The invisible worm      That flies in the night,      That flies in the night,      In the howling storm,       In the howling storm,

            Has found out thy bedHas found out thy bed      Of crimson joy,      Of crimson joy,      And his dark secret love      And his dark secret love      Does thy life destroy.       Does thy life destroy.

-- William Blake-- William Blake                                                        Blake uses the Blake uses the roserose as a symbol for all that is beautiful, natural and as a symbol for all that is beautiful, natural and desirable. He uses the desirable. He uses the wormworm to symbolize the evil that destroys natural to symbolize the evil that destroys natural beauty and love. The poem is more than a description of an infested beauty and love. The poem is more than a description of an infested flower bed.flower bed.

ThemeTheme – The central idea, topic, or subject of artistic – The central idea, topic, or subject of artistic representation.representation.

ToneTone - the pitch of a word often used to - the pitch of a word often used to

express differences of meaning; a particularexpress differences of meaning; a particular

pitch or change of pitch constituting anpitch or change of pitch constituting an

element in the intonation of a phrase orelement in the intonation of a phrase or

sentence {high ~} {low ~} {mid ~} {low-rising)sentence {high ~} {low ~} {mid ~} {low-rising)

{falling ~}, style or manner of expression in{falling ~}, style or manner of expression in

speaking or writingspeaking or writing

How to Read a PoemHow to Read a PoemRead on –until there’s a punctuation mark.Read on –until there’s a punctuation mark.A poem’s line breaks indicate thought groupings, but don’t A poem’s line breaks indicate thought groupings, but don’t

break at the end of each line.break at the end of each line.

If you’re baffled, find the subject and verb.If you’re baffled, find the subject and verb.Sometimes, when passages are difficult to understand, you Sometimes, when passages are difficult to understand, you

can clarify the meaning by finding the subject, verb, and can clarify the meaning by finding the subject, verb, and complement of each sentence. Try to paraphrase. complement of each sentence. Try to paraphrase.

Look for figures of speech—and think about Look for figures of speech—and think about them.them.

Figurative language is part of what makes poetry, Figurative language is part of what makes poetry, poetrypoetry..

Still Reading that Poem…Still Reading that Poem…Listen to the sounds.Listen to the sounds.Always read a poem aloud to yourself. Poets choose Always read a poem aloud to yourself. Poets choose evocative words for their sound as well as their meaning.evocative words for their sound as well as their meaning.

One reading isn’t enough.One reading isn’t enough.Respond to a poem on first meeting it, and then talk Respond to a poem on first meeting it, and then talk about the poem with other readers before you read it about the poem with other readers before you read it carefully again. On your second reading, you’ll notice carefully again. On your second reading, you’ll notice new details and develop new insights; and when you read new details and develop new insights; and when you read it for the third time, the poem will feel comfortably “yours.”it for the third time, the poem will feel comfortably “yours.”

Perform the poem.Perform the poem.When you give a poem a dramatic reading for an When you give a poem a dramatic reading for an audience, you can emphasize the mood and feelings the audience, you can emphasize the mood and feelings the words and images evoke. Then the poem really comes words and images evoke. Then the poem really comes alive.alive.

Helpful WebsitesHelpful Websites http://www.writing.upenn.edu/~afilreis/88/poetic-terms.htmlhttp://www.writing.upenn.edu/~afilreis/88/poetic-terms.htmlClick on these terms for an excellent definition of these poetic terms, some Click on these terms for an excellent definition of these poetic terms, some

from the Oxford English Dictionary. Includes types of poetry as well as from the Oxford English Dictionary. Includes types of poetry as well as terms.terms.

http://www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/handbook/a.htmlhttp://www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/handbook/a.htmlThis A-Z "poetry handbook" is really an extensive, online glossary of the This A-Z "poetry handbook" is really an extensive, online glossary of the

terminology used to describe and discuss the structure and content of terminology used to describe and discuss the structure and content of poetry.poetry.

http://faculty.goucher.edu/eng211/a_glossary_of_terms.htmhttp://faculty.goucher.edu/eng211/a_glossary_of_terms.htmAn exhaustive list of literary terms and techniques with explanations that An exhaustive list of literary terms and techniques with explanations that

often include examples. The terms are presented in the order in which often include examples. The terms are presented in the order in which the author's students would be exposed to them in a semester of English the author's students would be exposed to them in a semester of English literature, so you would need to scroll or do a "Find" for a specific term.literature, so you would need to scroll or do a "Find" for a specific term.

http://rpo.library.utoronto.ca/display_rpo/poetterm.cfmhttp://rpo.library.utoronto.ca/display_rpo/poetterm.cfmThe terms and definitions might seem different, as this is a British site, but The terms and definitions might seem different, as this is a British site, but

they are all easily understood, and it's a fairly extensive list. Scroll down they are all easily understood, and it's a fairly extensive list. Scroll down to view the long list of terms to choose from.to view the long list of terms to choose from.

More Helpful WebsitesMore Helpful Websites http://www.newi.ac.uk/englishresources/workunits/ks4/poetry/buzzworhttp://www.newi.ac.uk/englishresources/workunits/ks4/poetry/buzzwor

ds.htmlds.htmlDiscover the definitions for the buzz words in poetry through this site.Discover the definitions for the buzz words in poetry through this site.

http://www.poeticbyway.com/glossary.htmlhttp://www.poeticbyway.com/glossary.htmlCalling itself "unique," Bob's is easy to use, with cross-links throughout, Calling itself "unique," Bob's is easy to use, with cross-links throughout,

phonetic pronunciation guides when necessary, and many examples phonetic pronunciation guides when necessary, and many examples and quotations. Click on the letter and scroll for the word.and quotations. Click on the letter and scroll for the word.

http://www.english.emory.edu/classes/Handbook/Handbook.htmlhttp://www.english.emory.edu/classes/Handbook/Handbook.htmlThis site, designed to help students who are writing about poetry, defines This site, designed to help students who are writing about poetry, defines

many significant terms related to poetry, including figurative language, many significant terms related to poetry, including figurative language, poetic genres, and the mechanics of rhythm and meter. Examples are poetic genres, and the mechanics of rhythm and meter. Examples are also provided in addition to the definitions.also provided in addition to the definitions.

http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Terms/http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Terms/This glossary defines many common literary terms.This glossary defines many common literary terms.

http://www.gale.com/free_resources/glossary/index.htmhttp://www.gale.com/free_resources/glossary/index.htmAn extensive glossary of literary terms provided in alphabetical format An extensive glossary of literary terms provided in alphabetical format

with hyperlink cross references from a major library publisher.with hyperlink cross references from a major library publisher.