Language And Poetry Terminology

Question 1

Simile

Answer 1

A comparison between two unlike things using the words “like”, “as”, or “then”

Question 2

Metaphor

Answer 2

An implied comparison; equating one thing with another

Question 3

Personification

Answer 3

Giving human qualities to something non-human

Question 4

Hyperbole

Answer 4

An exaggeration

Question 5

Oxymoron

Answer 5

When two unlike things are used together to create a new idea

Question 6

Alliteration

Answer 6

When two words, close in proximity to one another, begin with the same sound (not necessarily the same letter, but the same sound)

Question 7

Onomatopoeia

Answer 7

Words that sound like things they describe

Question 8

Apostrophe

Answer 8

When a subject (a person or natural object) is directly addressed by the speaker

Question 9

Paradox

Answer 9

A statement that appears to contradict itself

Question 10

Euphemism

Answer 10

An understanding used for the purpose of being less offensive, harsh, or troubling

Question 11

Dysphemism

Answer 11

An overstatement used for the purpose of being more dramatic or negative

Question 12

Denotation

Answer 12

Literal meaning of a word

Question 13

Connotation

Answer 13

The suggestion of a meaning by a word beyond its denotation

Question 14

Allusion

Answer 14

A reference (implied or direct) to something assumed to be known, used to illustrate a point

Question 15

Refrain

Answer 15

A line that repeats itself within a poem, often at the beginning or end of a stanza

Question 16

Repetition

Answer 16

Repeating a word, phrase, line, or stanzas in a poem for effect

Question 17

Symbol

Answer 17

Something that has its own meaning, but stands for something else

Question 18

Motif

Answer 18

A recurring element with symbolic or metaphorical significance

Question 19

Idiom

Answer 19

An expression particular to a certain dialect

Question 20

Jargon

Answer 20

Terminology used in a particular context or speciality that is useless outside of this context

Question 21

Stanza

Answer 21

A ‘paragraph’ of poetry (couplet, tercet, quatrain, cinquain, sestet)

Question 22

End rhyme

Answer 22

Rhyme at the end of the line

Question 23

Internal rhyme

Answer 23

Rhyme within a line

Question 24

Imperfect rhyme

Answer 24

When two words that don’t exactly rhyme, (but are close) are used as a rhyme (more common than you’d think)