Poetic Terms

Question 1

Alliteration definition

Answer 1

Repetition of the same or similar sounds (usually consonants) at the beginning of words. It can be used to highlight the feeling of sound and movement or draw attention to a particular group of words in order to emphasise meaning, e.g: One waggly walrus

Question 2

Anthropomorphism definition

Answer 2

The attribution of human characteristics, emotions and behaviours to animals or other non-human things

Question 3

Consonance definition

Answer 3

A figure of speech in which the same consonant sound repeats within a group of words

Question 4

Emotive language definition

Answer 4

Language intended to create an emotional response

Question 5

Enjambment definition

Answer 5

A line ending which is continued and completed in the next line
And he unrolled his feathers
And rowed him softer home
Than oars divide the ocean

Question 6

Hyperbole definition

Answer 6

Deliberate and obvious exaggeration used for effect

Question 7

Metaphor definition

Answer 7

A descriptive technique that names a person, thing or action as something else

Question 8

Monologue definition

Answer 8

An extended speech by one person in literature and drama

Question 9

Onomatopoeia definition

Answer 9

Words which actually convey the sound being made, e.g: bang, hiss, smash

Question 10

Oxymoron definition

Answer 10

Phrase - two words of contradictory meaning are used together for special effect: bitter/sweet

Question 11

Pathetic fallacy definition

Answer 11

Describing something non-human as if it has human characteristics such as feelings

Question 12

Personification definition

Answer 12

Presentation of inanimate objects as being human, e.g:

The tree yawned while the leaves whispered to each other

Question 13

Rhythm definition

Answer 13

The arrangement of words to form a regular beat through a pattern of stresses

Question 14

Sibilance definition

Answer 14

Repetition of consonants that are pronounced with a hissing sound ‘S’

Question 15

Simile definition

Answer 15

A descriptive technique that compares one thing with another, usually using ‘as’ or ‘like’

Question 16

Sonnet definition

Answer 16

A one stanza, 14 line poem

Question 17

Stanza definition

Answer 17

A verse or set of lines of poetry, the pattern of which is repeated throughout

Question 18

Symbol definition

Answer 18

Something used to stand for or represent something else

Question 19

Tone definition

Answer 19

The tone of someone’s voice could be described as aggressive or cheerful. We also expect someone’s voice to change according to mood. These can be conveyed by a poet’s choice of words or by the poem’s rhythm. Tone helps to create the overall impact of a piece of writing. The tone of the poet needs to be thought of separately from the tone given to characters in the poem (poetic personae).

Question 20

Zoomorphism definition

Answer 20

When animal characteristics are assigned to humans

Question 21

Diction (or vocabulary)

Answer 21

The words that the poet has specifically chosen to create a particular affect, meaning or atmosphere

Question 22

Sensory description

Answer 22

A description which uses the five human senses – touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing.

This sort of description is very effective in creating a vivid meaning

Question 23

Assonance

Answer 23

Repetition of similar or identical vowel sounds in words which follow each other

Question 24

Theme

Answer 24

What is the poem is about – its meaning, comment or point

Question 25

Imagery

Answer 25

Use of description, figures of speech and pictures to create ideas and feelings

Question 26

Ambiguity

Answer 26

The possibility of more than one meaning

Question 27

Anaphora

Answer 27

Repetition for emphasis or rhetorical effect

Question 28

Irony

Answer 28

Words implying meaning opposite to their normal meaning

Question 29

Mood

Answer 29

Atmosphere, for example, “sombre”, “tragic”, “comic”,” romantic”.

Question 30

Pun

Answer 30

A comic effect suggesting two meanings from one word or phrase

Question 31

Structure

Answer 31

Organisation/arrangement of a poem (line length, use of stanzas, progression of ideas)

Question 32

Syllable

Answer 32

Each pronounced part of a word is a syllable.

Words with only one syllable are called monosyllabic. Words with more than one syllable are called polysyllabic

Question 33

Repetition

Answer 33

A poet may repeat words or ideas to emphasise thoughts and feelings, e.g:
Rural scene, a rural scene
Sweet especial rural scene