Poetic Terms Flashcards
Alliteration definition
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
Anthropomorphism definition
The attribution of human characteristics, emotions and behaviours to animals or other non-human things
Consonance definition
A figure of speech in which the same consonant sound repeats within a group of words
Emotive language definition
Language intended to create an emotional response
Enjambment definition
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
Hyperbole definition
Deliberate and obvious exaggeration used for effect
Metaphor definition
A descriptive technique that names a person, thing or action as something else
Monologue definition
An extended speech by one person in literature and drama
Onomatopoeia definition
Words which actually convey the sound being made, e.g: bang, hiss, smash
Oxymoron definition
Phrase - two words of contradictory meaning are used together for special effect: bitter/sweet
Pathetic fallacy definition
Describing something non-human as if it has human characteristics such as feelings
Personification definition
Presentation of inanimate objects as being human, e.g:
The tree yawned while the leaves whispered to each other
Rhythm definition
The arrangement of words to form a regular beat through a pattern of stresses
Sibilance definition
Repetition of consonants that are pronounced with a hissing sound ‘S’
Simile definition
A descriptive technique that compares one thing with another, usually using ‘as’ or ‘like’
Sonnet definition
A one stanza, 14 line poem
Stanza definition
A verse or set of lines of poetry, the pattern of which is repeated throughout
Symbol definition
Something used to stand for or represent something else
Tone definition
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).
Zoomorphism definition
When animal characteristics are assigned to humans
Diction (or vocabulary)
The words that the poet has specifically chosen to create a particular affect, meaning or atmosphere
Sensory description
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
Assonance
Repetition of similar or identical vowel sounds in words which follow each other
Theme
What is the poem is about – its meaning, comment or point
Imagery
Use of description, figures of speech and pictures to create ideas and feelings
Ambiguity
The possibility of more than one meaning
Anaphora
Repetition for emphasis or rhetorical effect
Irony
Words implying meaning opposite to their normal meaning
Mood
Atmosphere, for example, “sombre”, “tragic”, “comic”,” romantic”.
Pun
A comic effect suggesting two meanings from one word or phrase
Structure
Organisation/arrangement of a poem (line length, use of stanzas, progression of ideas)
Syllable
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
Repetition
A poet may repeat words or ideas to emphasise thoughts and feelings, e.g:
Rural scene, a rural scene
Sweet especial rural scene
