Poetic Terms

More stuff to know

ElementsRhythm:the actual sound that results

from a line of poetry

how the meter interacts with other elements of the language

ElementsRhyme:A set patternMany types of poems have

specific rhyme schemesMost common: A-A-B-B

The first two lines rhymeSecond two lines rhyme

When two lines rhyme and have the same meter couplet

StyleSymbolism:When an object, person, place or

action represents something elseBy association or resemblance

Example: Red octagon may be a symbol for "STOP” Skull and crossbones for “poison” Dove for “peace”

StyleIrony:It is ironic when there is a

difference between what is spoken and what is meant (the literal meaning)

A contradiction

Example: Online pop-ups offering to help you get rid of online

pop-ups. Working for hours on your makeup and outfit, then

walking down the street and having some car go through a puddle and spray you everywhere

StyleImagery:descriptive language that evokes

sensory experience

Types: Simile Metaphor Visual imagery (the most common) – “The crimson

liquid…” Auditory imagery – represents a sound Olfactory imagery – represents a smell Gustatory imagery – represents a taste Tactile imagery – represents touch

StyleApathy:When there is absolutely no

emotional involvementYou simply DON’T CARE!

Examples: Throwing garbage out your car window Washing a small load of laundry in a large load cycle Skipping your friend’s birthday because you are “too

tired” Not trying in school

StyleAnalogy:A way of explaining something

by comparing it to something else

Examples: She grew on him like she was a colony of E. Coli, and

he was room-temperature Canadian beef. Her hair glistened in the rain like a nose hair after a

sneeze. The ballerina rose gracefully en Pointe and extended

one slender leg behind her, like a dog at a fire hydrant.

StyleAntithesis:The exact opposite of somethingUsed in balanced phrases

Examples: She is easy on the eyes, hard on the heart Let’s agree to disagree

StyleAllegory:A story which has a deeper

messageAn extended metaphorThe meaning lies outside the

text

Examples: “The Force” from Star Wars = duality of good/evil in

each of us Avatar = Pandora woods is a lot like the Amazon

rainforest ALL fables (Hansel & Gretel) “The Matrix” – Truth, free will, the arrival of “The

One” (messianic figure), the “ideal” world

StyleAllusion:An indirect reference to

something else

Examples: She was breathtakingly beautiful, but he knew that

she was forbidden fruit. (forbidden fruit in Eden downfall, destruction)

His wife was his Achilles' heel. (Achilles’ heel = ultimate weakness)

“I was not born in a manger. I was actually born on Krypton and sent here by my father, Jor-el, to save the Planet Earth.” – Barak Obama

StyleIdiom:When a group of words means

something different than each of the words separately

Examples: A chip on your shoulder A leopard can’t change its spots A taste of your own medicine Adding fuel to the fire

StyleEuphemism:Sugar-coating/morally-correct

way of say itInoffensive term for an offensive

one

Examples: Between jobs = unemployed Lose your lunch = barf! Call of nature = got to pee… He/She has a good personality = ????

StyleHyperbole:An extreme over-exaggeration

Examples: I’m so hungry I could eat a horse If I don’t get those jeans, I will DIE!! I have a ton of homework

StyleCliché:An expression or idea which has

been overused to the point of losing its original meaning or effect

Examples: A chain is only as strong as its weakest link Easy as pie Every cloud has a silver lining

StyleOxymoron:A figure of speech that contains

contradictory terms

Examples: Jumbo shrimp Friendly fire Hells Angels Killed with kindness Sound of silence Cold sweat