Poetic Techniques Flashcards
Title
Provides context for the poem, offering insight into the subject matter, theme, or tone of the poem. The title can give readers a clue of what to expect from the poem and how to approach it.
Stanza
A division of a poem consisting of a series of lines arranged together in a usually repeating pattern of rhythm and rhyme. Like a verse in a song or a paragraph in a novel.
Rhyme
Definition:
~Lines end with the same sound [ swift/drift ].
Effect:
~Creates rhythm which can help us to enjoy the flow of the Poem and/or to understand its mood.
Atmosphere/Mood
~ The feeling that the writer is trying to evoke in their readers- feeling calm, anxiety, joy or anger. The poem makes us feel.
Personification
Definition:
A poetic device where animals, plants or inanimate objects e.g. table, are given human qualities. Effect:
Creates an importance of a thing or an idea. It helps us to understand the theme/message. It can create an image or feeling, can make us stop and think or can make us laugh!
Metaphor
Definition:
Compares two things without using “like” or “as”.
Effect:
Helps us to understand how the poet wants us to think of feel about something.
Simile
Definition:
The subject of the poem is described by comparing it to another object or subject, using ‘as’ or ‘like’.
Effect:
Helps us understand how the poet wants us to think or feel about something.
Onomatopoeia
The naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it (such as buzz, hiss). Is a sound effect that creates part of the rhyme in a poem.
Alliteration
Two words together beginning with the same consonant sound – blue box / boring book. Can emphasise sound to create a rhythm or to highlight a word or idea that the poet wants us to focus on or understand.
Assonance
Repeat of internal vowel sounds in two+ words in the same line.
Assonance
Repeat of internal vowel sounds in two+ words in the same line.
Enjambement (run on line)
Definition/Effect:
Speeds up a poem so it creates rhyme which creates mood/atmosphere. Similarly, use of punctuation does this by slowing the poem down.
Repetition
Definition:
A literary device that involves using the same word over and over again in a piece.
Effect:
Emphasises words or ideas that the poet is trying to convey to us to help us to understand the theme (message) in the poem.
Imagery
Definition:
The authors use of description and vivid language, deepening the readers understanding of the work, by appealing to the senses.
Effect:
Is a visual technique which helps us imagine part of a poem in our mind. It enhances our enjoyment of a poem and helps to create a mood/atmosphere in the poem.
