Poetry Techniques

Question 1

Rhythm

Answer 1

• This is a pattern of sounds created by a poet’s choice and arrangement of words.

Question 2

Rhyme

Answer 2

• When the sounds at the ends of lines agree with each other.

Question 3

Stanza

Answer 3

• A group of lines in a poem, forming a definite pattern of rhyme and meter throughout the poem.

Question 4

Structure

Answer 4

• How the poem is laid out, with a beginning -> middle -> end

Question 5

Symbolism

Answer 5

• A symbol is an object, animate or inanimate, which represents something else, with which it has some connection.
• A literary symbol has the effect of combining an image with an idea.

Question 6

Tone

Answer 6

• The poet’s or speaker’s attitude to his subjects, conveyed by the style of writing. (Think of the tone or voice you would use if you were saying the words).

Question 7

Theme

Answer 7

• The main subject(s) or message of a poem.

Question 8

Word choice

Answer 8

• The actual words chosen by the poet to create a particular or striking effect.

Question 9

Synaesthesia

Answer 9

• The mixing of sensations; the appeal to more than one sense at the same time.

Question 10

Synecdoche

Answer 10

• A figure of speech in which a part is used to refer to the whole.

Question 11

Enjambment

Answer 11

• The continuation of a line of poetry without a break.

Question 12

Contrast

Answer 12

• Bringing 2 objects together to show the difference.

Question 13

Cliche

Answer 13

• An idiom or figure of speech (often a metaphor or simile)
• Which has lost its impact through being over used

E.g slow and steady wins the fast.

Question 14

Caesura

Answer 14

A break or pause in a line of poetry.

- often marked by punctuation.

Question 15

Assonance

Answer 15

• The repetition of similar vowel sounds, usually close together.
• To create the sound of the particular vowel used.

E.g she sells sea shells on the sea shore.

Question 16

Analogy

Answer 16

• An agreement in certain respects between things which are otherwise different.

Question 17

Ambiguity

Answer 17

• When a language can be interpreted in more than one way.

- Often used for humorous effect.

Question 18

Alliteration

Answer 18

• The use of the same initial letter in 2 or more words in close proximity to create a particular effect.
• Usually to intensify the word.
• Sometimes the sound of the repeated initial letter adds to the effect.

Question 19

Allegory

Answer 19

• A story in verse or prose with a double meaning.

- which can be read and understood on two levels.

Question 20

Repetition

Answer 20

• When a word or phrase is repeated to create a particular effect.
• Usually to emphasis the idea contained in the words being repeated.

Question 21

Personification

Answer 21

• The attribution of human qualities to inanimate objects.

Question 22

Pun

Answer 22

• A play in words that are alike or nearly alike in the sound but different in meaning.
• Often used for comic effect.

Question 23

Paradox

Answer 23

• An apparently contradictory statement.

- E.g ‘ fruitless fruits ‘ - Visiting hour.

Question 24

Oxymoron

Answer 24

• A figure of speech in which two words with opposite meanings are brought together to form a new phrase or statement.

Question 25

Onomatopoeia

Answer 25

• A figure of speech in which the sound of the word reflects the sound being described.

Question 26

Mood

Answer 26

• Feelings of poet / narrator and / or the way the poet makes you feel when you read the poem.

Question 27

Juxtaposition

Answer 27

• Bringing two ideas close together for literary effect.

- Usually contrast.

Question 28

Imagery

Answer 28

• Figurative or descriptive language often, but not necessarily metaphorical.
• To give heightened meaning reveal feeling etc.

Question 29

Verse

Answer 29

• A group of lines which forms a unit.

Question 30

Free verse

Answer 30

• Poetry that does not have end rhymes or follow a set rhythm.
• No overall pattern.

Question 31

Hyperbole

Answer 31

• Exaggeration to emphasise the sense of the words.

Question 32

Different types of tones

Answer 32

1. Ironic
2. Mocking
3. Humorous

Question 33

Ironic

Answer 33

• Often conveyed using sarcasm, exaggeration or understatement.
• calls attention to the difference between the way a subject is described and what is actually true about that subject.
• used for satirical writing, which commonly seeks to criticize its subject

Question 34

Mocking

Answer 34

• Abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule

Question 35

Types of techniques used for imagery

Answer 35

1. Simile
2. Metaphor
3. Personification

Question 36

Types of sentence structure used are…

Answer 36

1. Parenthesis
   - Purpose
   • to find the writer’s opinion and find extra information.
   Highlighted by brackets () and pairs of dashes ,,,
2. List
   - Purpose
   • to name lots of different things.
3. Questions
   - Purpose
   • Makes the reader question the text more, deeply.