POETRY

is a patterned expression of ideas

usually containing rhyme and a
specific meter. This patterned
expression of ideas is known as the
form of a poem. A form is expressed in
two ways :
1. Closed form - it follows some sort of
pattern
2. Open form - it does not follow a
pattern but is shaped as it moves
along

Subject

central topic of a poem

A one word subject that contains the
general theme of the entire poetry.

Speaker

Kinds of end Rhymes

Voice telling the poem

A poem may have more than one
speaker
The speaker and the poet are not
necessarily the same

Rhyme Scheme: the pattern of rhymes

formed by the end rhyme in a poem; first
sound is a, second sound is b, third sound
is c, etc.

Rhythm

Persona

a mask the poet creates to provide

the speaker of a poem

Repetition

recurrence of sound, words, phrases,

or lines in poetry

Rhyme

Repetition of sounds that are similar or

identical
Similarity or likeness of sound existing
between two words
Expresses strong feelings and
enhances the meaning and impact of
poetry
Internal rhyme: the repetition of
similar sounds within the lines
End rhyme: the repetition of similar
sounds at the end of the lines

Masculine rhyme - the rhyme of onesyllable words or words with the final
stressed syllable (light/sight)
(defeat/retreat)
Feminine rhyme - occurs in words of
two or more syllables; stress is placed
on a syllable other than the last
(better/setter) (Cindy/Windy)
Perfect/exact/true rhyme - different
initial consonant sounds are followed
by similar vowel sounds (tie/lie)
(meet/feet)

regular pattern of stressed and

unstressed syllable (beats) we hear in
poetry.
Stressed syllable is accented
(long); unstressed syllable is
accented short

Meter

pattern of rhythm in a line

Kind of
Meter

No. of
Syllabl
es

Pattern and position

of Stress and
Unstressed syllables

Foot

Rising
Meter
Falling
Meter
Rising
Meter
Falling
Meter

Unstressed
STRESSED
STRESSED
Unstressed
2Unstressed
1STRESSED
1STRESSED
2Unstressed

Iamb

2
3
3

2 stressed
2 unstressed

Trochee
Anapest
Dactyl
Spondee
+ Spondee
=
Dispondee
Dibrach
shortest
metrical
foot

Poetical Foot

Unit used to measure rhythm in a line

of poetry
Consists of 2-3 syllables
Lines of poetry consists of series of
feet
Forms:
a. Rhymed Verse
Contains end rhyme and
usually has a regular
meter and rhyme scheme
b. Blank Verse
Contains a fixed rhythm
and regular line length
(ex.iambic pentameter)
c. Free Verse
Free of traditional metrical
patterns, no fixed rhythm
and rhyme scheme

Way of arranging lines of poetry in a

pattern
Types:
1. Spenserian
9 lines (8 lines of iambic
pentameter +1 line of iambic
hexameter)
Rhyme scheme: ABABBCBCC
2. Limerick
5-line nonsense poem with
anapestic meter (3 syllables 2
unstressed 1 stressed)
Rhyme scheme: AABBA
3. Ballad Stanza
4-line stanza
rhyme scheme: ABCB
4. Haiku
17 syllables
Usually 3 lines (5-7-5
syllables)
Rhymeless
imagery
5. Tanka
5 lines
31 syllables
(5,7,5,7,7)

Types of Poetry
1. Lyric Poetry
Expresses personal thoughts and
feelings of a single speaker
May or may not contain definite
stanza forms and patterns
Emphasizes sound and imagery
Over dramatic event
1.1 Sonnet
14-line stanza
in iambic pentameter
follows a rhyme scheme
Kinds:

Stanza Forms

Stanza - unit of poetry longer than a

line

1.2 Ode

Petrarchan
Shakespearean

long lyric poem in stanzas

often a serious poem
Praise for the subject

1.3 Elegy
Meditative poem dealing with
the subject of death
Has a serious theme
2. Narrative Poetry
Tells a story
Has a strong dramatic element
Narrative Poetry

2.1 Epic Poem

a long, narrative poem
about a national, legendary
hero (Example: Beowulf)
2.2 Ballad
narrative poem in stanzas,
sometimes set to music
2.3 Dramatic Monologue
a poem written as a speech
made at some decisive or
revealing
moment