Poetry Techniques

Question 1

Simile

Answer 1

A comparison using like or as (e.g. My heart is like a beating drum)

Question 2

Metaphor

Answer 2

A comparison not using like or as (e.g. My heart is a beating drum)

Question 3

Personification

Answer 3

Giving non human objects human characteristics (e.g. The leaping and dancing sea)

Question 4

Hyperbole

Answer 4

A large exaggeration (e.g. I’ve spent a thousand years staring into her eyes)

Question 5

Alliteration

Answer 5

When two or more words in a line of poetry(usually words that are close together) begin with the same consonant sound (e.g. Sweet smell of cinnamon buns)

Question 6

Internal Rhyme

Answer 6

When two or more words appear in a line of poetry (e.g. The size of her eyes)

Question 7

Onomatopoeia

Answer 7

A word (such as buzz or hiss) that imitates the sound of the object or action it refers to

Question 8

Anaphora

Answer 8

When two or more consecutive lines begin with the same words/word (e.g. The night is dark and deep, the night lulls me to sleep)

Question 9

Epistrophe

Answer 9

When two or more consecutive lines end with the same word/words (e.g. I’ve longed to be in love, have never been in love.)

Question 10

Rhyming Couplet

Answer 10

A pair of lines that rhyme; they are usually of the same length

Question 11

Slant Rhyme

Answer 11

A type of Rhyme in which vowel sounds or word endings are not identical; the two words sound similar, but do not form a true rhyme. (E.g. Gazes and daisies)

Question 12

Repetition

Answer 12

The repeating of a word or phrase for emphasis or rhythmic effect

Question 13

What are the two types of irony?

Answer 13

Situational Irony and Verbal Irony

Question 14

Situational Irony

Answer 14

An occurrence that is the opposite of what was expected

Question 15

Verbal Irony

Answer 15

The author says one thing and means the opposite

Question 16

Imagery

Answer 16

Words and phrases that evoke images or other sensory experiences in the readers mind (e.g. Warm sun tingling my skin)

Question 17

Allusion

Answer 17

A brief reference to a well known person, place, event, etc. (including books and literary characters)

Question 18

Theme

Answer 18

The message that the poet is attempting to get across to his or her readers

Question 19

Tone

Answer 19

The writer’s and/or speaker’s attitude towards his readers and/or his subject. A writer can be happy, playful, frustrated, sarcastic, angry, optimistic, pessimistic, etc.

Question 20

Mood

Answer 20

The feeling or atmosphere of a poem

Question 21

Stanza

Answer 21

A section of a poem (similar to a paragraph in prose); a stanza is named for the number of lines it contains (e.g. couplet, triplet quatrain, etc.

Question 22

Sonnet

Answer 22

A 14-line poem that uses pentameter (meaning 10 syllables per line) often iambic pentameter

Question 23

Free Verse

Answer 23

Poetry that does not have a regular rhyme scheme or meter

Question 24

Rhyme Scheme

Answer 24

Rhyme Scheme refers to the pattern of rhyme a poem follows. Rhyming words are depicted using letters.

Question 25

What is the theme in I meant to do my work today?

Answer 25

Every so often it’s okay to put aside your responsibilities and enjoy the moment

Question 26

What are two poetry techniques in I meant to do my work today?

Answer 26

Personification- “and a rainbow held out its shining hand”
Anaphora- “and a butterfly flitted across the field,/ and all the leaves were calling me./ and the wend went sighing over the land”

Question 27

What are two poetry techniques in Life doesn’t frighten me?

Answer 27

Repetition- “Life doesn’t frighten me at all”

Illusion- “Mean Old Mother Goose”

Question 28

What are two poetry techniques in the poem There will come soft rains?

Answer 28

Alliteration- Robins will wear their feathery fire

Rhyming Couplet- And frogs in the pool singing at night,/And wild plum trees in tremulous white