MCK - Poetry Terms (2023/2024) Rated A

MCK - Poetry Terms (2023/2024) Rated A metaphor a figure of speech comparing to unlike things without using like or as extended metaphor a comparison which extends over several lines or an entire poem implied metaphor a more subtle comparison; the terms being compared are not so specifically explained simile A COMPARISON BETWEEN TWO UNLIKE THINGS USING LIKE OR AS personification A figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes imagery description that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste) allusion a reference to someone or something that is known from history, literature, religion, politics, sports, science, or some other branch of culture symbol something in a literary work that stands for a deeper and more abstract idea alliteration the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words assonance Repetition of a vowel sound within two or more words in close proximity meter a pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in poetry which creates its rhythm or beat rhyme scheme the pattern of end rhymes in a poem half rhyme imperfect, approximate rhyme; also called a slant rhyme or a near rhyme stanza a group of lines in a poem lyrical poetry relating to poetry that often has a musical quality and expresses personal emotions or thoughts narrative poetry poetry that tells a story dramatic poetry poetry that involves the techniques of drama; one or more characters speak to other characters who may or may not be present in the poem speaker the person speaking in the poem, like the narrator in prose - not always the poet audience the intended reader of a piece tone the writer's or speaker's attitude toward the subject of a story, toward a character, or toward the audience (the readers). mood the feeling created in the reader by a literary work or passage diction A speaker or writer's choice of words (formal, informal, colloquial, full of slang, poetic, ornate, plain, abstract, concrete, etc.); it has a powerful effect on tone sonnet fourteen line poem in iambic pentameter with a prescribed rhyme scheme; its subject is traditionally that of love iambic pentameter A metrical pattern in poetry which consists of five repetitions of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable in one line. blank verse unrhymed iambic pentameter couplet Two consecutive lines of poetry that rhyme hyperbole a figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion, make a point, or evoke humor understatement the opposite of exaggeration. It is a technique for developing irony and/or humor where one writes or says less than intended. onomatopoeia a word that imitates the sound it represents apostrophe a technique by which a writer addresses an inanimate object, an idea, or a person who is either dead or absent. free verse Poetry that does not have a regular meter or rhyme scheme parallelism the use of a series of words, phrases, or sentences that have similar grammatical form oxymoron conjoining contradictory terms (as in 'deafening silence') paradox a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth. internal rhyme A word inside a line rhymes with another word on the same line figurative language writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid. idiom An expression that cannot be understood if taken literally (ex- "Get your head out of the clouds"). dialect a regional variety of a language, with differences in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation; also a form of a language spoken by members of a particular social class or profession dramatic monologue A type of poem in which a speaker addresses a silent listener. As readers, we overhear the speaker's comments and learn about his/her character. irony An unexpected twist, contrast or discrepancy between what is stated and what is really meant, or between what is expected to happen and what actually does happen.