The Wonderful World of Poetry English 9

Structure of Poetry Stanza A section of poetry – the “paragraph” of a poem Repetition When any element of language is used more than once Rhyme Repetition of sounds at the end of words

Stanza

A section of poetry – the “paragraph” of a poem

Repetition

When any element of language is used more than once

Rhyme

Repetition of sounds at the end of words

Structure of Poetry Meter – a.k.a. rhythm The pattern of beats or stresses Can be specific and consistent Free verse Poetry not written in a regular meter Usually does not rhyme

Meter – a.k.a. rhythm

The pattern of beats or stresses

Can be specific and consistent

Free verse

Poetry not written in a regular meter

Usually does not rhyme

Sounds of Poetry Alliteration Repetition of beginning consonant sounds Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. Consonance Repetition of consonant sounds not at the beginning

Alliteration

Repetition of beginning consonant sounds

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

Consonance

Repetition of consonant sounds not at the beginning

Sounds of Poetry Assonance Repetition of vowel sounds “weak and weary” Onomatopoeia The use of words that imitate sounds Buzz, thud, hiss

Assonance

Repetition of vowel sounds

“weak and weary”

Onomatopoeia

The use of words that imitate sounds

Buzz, thud, hiss

Pictures of Poetry Metaphor Calling a thing something it is not It implies a comparison. He is a rock. Imagery Descriptive language used to create pictures in the mind of the reader Appeals to the five senses

Metaphor

Calling a thing something it is not

It implies a comparison.

He is a rock.

Imagery

Descriptive language used to create pictures in the mind of the reader

Appeals to the five senses

Pictures of Poetry Simile Comparing two things by using the words “like” or “as” “caught two in his hands like squirming puppies” Personification Giving a non-human thing human characteristics “death sat there huge; how could we slip away?”

Simile

Comparing two things by using the words “like” or “as”

“caught two in his hands like squirming puppies”

Personification

Giving a non-human thing human characteristics

“death sat there huge; how could we slip away?”

Stories of Poetry Ballad A song-like poem that tells a story Four to six line stanzas Regular rhythm and rhyme schemes Refrain A repeated line or group of lines Similar to a chorus in a song

Ballad

A song-like poem that tells a story

Four to six line stanzas

Regular rhythm and rhyme schemes

Refrain

A repeated line or group of lines

Similar to a chorus in a song