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My Packs: School (Grade 12 Semester 1) > (ENG4U1AP) Poetic Terms > Flashcards

(ENG4U1AP) Poetic Terms Flashcards

1
Q

Define:
Assonance

A

The repetition of similar vowel sounds within words

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2
Q

Define:
Alliteration

A

The repetition of a consonant, usually at the beginning of words

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3
Q

True or False:
Alliteration was the primary poetic device of the English language

A

True

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4
Q

What is the function(s) of alliteration(s)?

A

Tends to speed up a line (repeated consonants allow the reader to quickly read the line aloud with an often humorous or light-hearted effect)

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5
Q

What is the function(s) of assonance?

A

Reverse of alliteration, tends to slow a line down (repeated vowel sounds are difficult to navigate, creating an often sombre, serious, or dramatic effect)

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6
Q

Define:
Blank Verse

A

Consists of lines of iambic pentameter that are unrhymed

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7
Q

What is - in most part - written in blank verse?

A

Shakespeare’s plays

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8
Q

What is the function(s) of blank verse?

A

Has a flowing natural sound that closely mimics the rhythms of the English language

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9
Q

True or False:
Blank Verse is not a popular verse form for longer works of poetry

A

False, it is a popular verse form for longer works of poetry because it is a fairly easy structure to write in

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10
Q

Define:
Caesura

A

A strong pause that falls within a line of poetry, often in the middle of the line

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11
Q

What is the function(s) of a caesura?

A

The unexpected stop a caesura brings stresses the line, and brings particular attention to the words directly surrounding it

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12
Q

Define:
Chiasmus

A

A sequence of two phrases or clauses which are parallel in syntax, but with a reversal in the order of the corresponding words

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13
Q

What is the function(s) of a chiasmus?

A

Attention-grabbing poetic device that provides a point of strong emphasis

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14
Q

True or False:
Chiasmus should not be overused in a poem

A

True

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15
Q

Define:
Contrast

A

The intended placement of contrasting words, ideas or sounds near each other

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16
Q

What is the function(s) of contrast?

A

Used to bring attention to the differences between words, ideas or sounds

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17
Q

What is the difference between oxymoron and contrast?

A

Oxymoron strives to connect two opposing things into one unified though
Contrast strives to exaggerate the differences between them

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18
Q

Define:
Diction

A

Refers to the overall word choice and type of language used by a poet

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19
Q

Where does the word “diction” come from?

A

Latin ‘dico’, meaning ‘to say’

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20
Q

What is the function(s) of diction? (2)

A

Diction usually matches his or her subject matter and message
Sometimes, a writer might purposefully mismatch diction and subject matter for humorous or ironic effect

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21
Q

Define:
Dissonance

A

The use of harsh-sounding, usually consonant-laden language

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22
Q

What is the function(s) of dissonance?

A

Often used to give a line a harsh, violent or unpleasant sound

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23
Q

What is dissonance also known as?

A

A cacophony

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24
Q

Define:
Enjambement

A

Occurs in poetry when an idea or sentence runs over the end of a line and into the next line - thus ‘striding over’ the natural line break

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25
Where does the word "enjambement" come from?
French, means 'striding over'
26
What is the function(s) of enjambement? (2)
Provides for a variety of sentence lengths in a poem Holds the reader's interest as the poem flows from one line to another
27
Define: Euphony
The use of gentle-sounding, pleasant language with soft vowel and consonant sounds
28
What is the function(s) of an euphony?
Often used to give a line a soft, soothing or pleasant sound (it's a common trait of romantic love poetry)
29
What is the opposite of dissonance (cacophony)?
Euphony
30
What is the opposite of euphony?
Dissonance (cacophony)
31
Define: Free Verse
Poetry that does not have the regular stress patterns or rhythms of traditional poetry
32
What is the difference between free verse poetry and prose?
Free verse poetry is broken down into verse form
33
What is the function(s) of free verse poetry? (3)
Though it lacks a formal structure, it gives a poem a freedom that other poetic structures lack Allows a poet to explore images and sounds without worrying about metre Usually reproduces the natural rhythms of speech, thus sounds less formal than other structures
34
Define: Onomatopoeia
The use of a word (or combination or words) whose sound seems to resemble the thing it denotes
35
What is the function(s) of an onomatopoeia? (2)
Creates a dramatic or shocking effect and stresses the line containing it Can also make descriptive passages more effective
36
Define: Oxymoron
A word or phrase that links opposite concepts together
37
Where does the word "oxymoron" come from?
German, literally meaning 'wise-dumb'
38
What is the function(s) of an oxymoron?
Often used to communicate ambiguity, or to describe an emotion or situation with two contrasting sides
39
Define: Paradox
A statement that seems at first glance to be self-contradictory or absurd, yet turns out to make good sense
40
What is the function(s) of a paradox?
Can get a reader to think deeply about an image, situation or theme
41
Who were paradoxes popular with? Why?
Metaphysical poets They would often present a paradox at the beginning of a poem, and then gradually prove the paradox to be true
42
Define: Parallel Structure
The repetition of sentence structure or verse structure in a poem
43
What is the function(s) of parallel structure?
Serves to connect or contrast different words, ideas or lines
44
Define: Repetition
The repeating of words or phrases multiple times in a single poem
45
What is the function(s) of repetition? (2)
Serves to stress the repeated words or phrases, making their importance clear to the reader When used sparingly, can be a very effective way to make an impact on the reader
46
Define: Rhyme
A similarity in the sounds of words
47
True or False: Rhyming has become one of the least important poetic devices of the English language
False, rhyming has become one of the primary poetic devices of the English language
48
In poetry, the _______ words may occur at the ____ of lines, or _____ in the ______ of a line may _____
Rhyming Ends Words Middle Rhyme
49
What are the function(s) of rhyme? (3)
Connects different words through sound, bringing attention to their similarities or their differences Helps a poem flow smoothly and often has a musical effect on verse Can also convey innocence or childishness in a poem, as it is a common feature in children's poems
50
Define: Rhyme Scheme
A method of charting the rhymes in poetry that occur at the ends of lines
51
What is the function(s) of a rhyme scheme? (4)
Can affect the overall sound and flow of the stanzas Can be used to stress certain lines Can be used to connect different lines or stanzas together through sound Some poetic forms have a predetermined rhyme scheme that must be obeyed
52
What two examples of poetic forms have a predetermined rhyme scheme that must be obeyed?
Villanelles Sonnets
53
Define: Rhyming couplet
A unit of two adjacent rhyming lines in poetry
54
Define: Heroic couplet
A rhyming couplet featuring an iambic pentameter rhythm scheme
55
What are the function(s) of rhyming couplets? (2)
Sometimes placed at the ends of poems to provide a strong conclusion (close-set rhymes in a couplet have a powerful aural effect, and draw attention to the lines) Some poems are composed entirely of rhyming couplets to imbue the verse with a logical and carefully arranged sound structure
56
Whose works are composed entirely of rhyming couplets?
Alexander Pope
57
Define: Rhythm
Refers to the beat, or the pattern of lightly and heavily stressed syllables, in a line of poetry
58
How are lightly and heavily stressed syllables indicated?
A stress is usually indicated by a slash (/) written over the stressed syllable An unstressed syllable is indicated with a shallow u (U)
59
Define: Metre
The type of foot and the number of feet per line
60
What are the basic rhythmic feet? (4)
Iamb Trochee Anapest Dactyl
61
State the adjective form, structure, and function of: Iamb
Iambic Unstressed, stressed Most commonly used rhythm in English poetry (closely mirrors the sound of English speech, gives poems a natural, flowing tone)
62
State the adjective form, structure, and function of: Trochee
Trochaic Stressed, unstressed Has a forceful, command-like or exclamatory sound (imbues a poem with a forceful and strong voice)
63
State the adjective form, structure, and function of: Anapest
Anapestic Unstressed, unstressed, stressed Seldom used in English, has a forceful marching beat that lends itself well to military songs and anthems Recently experienced a surge in popularity due to rap artists (using it for its forceful beat)
64
State the adjective form, structure, and function of: Dactyl
Dactylic Stressed, unstressed, unstressed Has a soft, lilting rhythm that closely suggests a waltz, sometimes used in romantic verse
65
What are substitution feets? List them (3)
These individual feet are sometimes inserted into another rhyme scheme for special effect Spondee Phyrric Foot Trochee
66
State the adjective form, structure, and function of: Spondee
Spondaic Stressed, stressed Inserted into other rhythm schemes to create a strong point of stress
67
State the adjective form, structure, and function of: Phyrric Foot
Phyrric Unstressed, unstressed Inserted into other rhythm schemes to speed up a line, often used for merely functional purposes (difficult to write in a strict rhythm scheme without inserting the odd Phyrric foot)
68
State the adjective form, structure, and function of: Trochee
Trochaic Stressed, unstressed When used as a substitution foot, individual trochees are thrown into an iambic rhythm to provide a point of stress
69
Define: Scansion
The practice of analysing a poem to determine the metre
70
How does one begin the scansion process? What is the next step after?
Identify the rhythmic foot being used Count the number of feet contained in each line of poetry
71
ONE foot per line, the metre is called _________ TWO feet per line, the metre is called _______ THREE feet per line, the metre is called ________ FOUR feet per line, the metre is called __________ FIVE feet per line, the metre is called __________ SIX feet per line, the metre is called _________ SEVEN feet per line, the metre is called __________ EIGHT feet per line, the metre is called _________
Monometre Dimetre Trimetre Tetrametre Pentametre Hexametre Heptametre Octametre
72
If a line contains five iambic feet, it is called:
Iambic Pentametre
73
If a line contains three dactylic feet, it is called:
Dactylic Trimetre
74
If a line contains eight trochaic feet, it is called:
Trochaic Octametre
75
True or False: Some metres are given other names as well
True
76
What is a line of six iambic feet (iambic hexametre) also known as?
An Alexandrine
77
What is a line of seven iambic feet (iambic heptametre) also known as?
A fourteener
78
What is a feminine ending? How does that affect the poem?
A line that closes with an unstressed syllable Gives poems a soft, gentle sound
79
What is a masculine ending? How does that affect the poem?
A line that closes with a stressed syllable Gives poems a stronger, more forceful feel
80
Define: Shape
The arrangement of the words on the page
81
What is the function(s) of shape? (2)
May aid in communication of the theme Can bring attention to a certain area of the poem or visualise an important idea
82
How can shape be used in poetry? (2)
Can be used obviously (e.x. a poem about a tree shaped like a tree) Can be used subtlly through indentation and margin size
83
Define: Stanza
A grouped collection of lines in a poem
84
Stanza is to poetry as the _________ is to prose
Paragraph
85
Define: Couplet
A stanza with two (usually rhyming) lines
86
Define: Tercet
A stanza with three lines (two of which often rhyme)
87
Define: Quatrain
A stanza with four lines
88
Define: Sestet
A stanza with six lines
89
Define: Rhyme Royal
A stanza with seven lines and the rhyme scheme ABABBCC
90
Define: Octet
A stanza with eight lines
91
Define: Ottava Rima
A stanza with eight lines and the rhyme scheme ABABABCC
92
Define: Spenserian stanza
The longest common stanza type in English Consists of nine lines, the first eight iambic pentameter and the last iambic hexameter, rhyming ABABBCBCC
93
What is the function(s) of stanzas?
Like paragraphs, stanzas group ideas and images together Provide structure and form to a poem Variation of stanza length can serve to draw attention to certain lines
94
Longer stanzas usually give a poem a ______, ________ sound
Formal Highbrow
95
Shorter stanzas give a poem a ________, ______ sound
Succinct Direct
96
Define: Verse
A single line of poetry - the basic unit of a poem
97
A verse is to poetry as a ________ is to prose
Sentence
98
What is the function(s) of verses?
Group words together to form ideas

My Packs: School (Grade 12 Semester 1) (8 decks)

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