Structure And Form Flashcards
sonnet
typically consists of 14 lines written in iambic pentameter, which means each line has ten syllables with a stress on every second syllable.
free verse
type of poetry that does not follow a specific or predetermined structure or rhyme scheme
ballad
A ballad is a form of narrative poetry that tells a story through verse. It has its roots in traditional folk songs and has been passed down orally through generations. Ballads often focus on themes such as love, tragedy, heroism, or the supernatural
rhyme scheme
refers to the pattern of rhyme that is used in a poem. It is the arrangement of rhyming words or sounds at the end of lines.
meter
pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of verse. It is the rhythmic structure or arrangement of poetic feet within a line.
line length
Short or long
stanza structure
Stanzas are separated from each other by white space, indicating a visual break and allowing for pauses or shifts in the poem’s content or tone. Different poems may have varying stanza structures, depending on the poet’s intentions and the overall form and style of the poem.
Consider how these choices affect the flow, rhythm, and overall impact of the poem.
Mood and tone
Examine the poet’s tone and the emotional atmosphere created by the poem. Is it somber, joyful, melancholic, or satirical? How does the tone contribute to the poem’s message or the reader’s interpretation?
octave
a set of eight lines
sestet
A set of six lines
the Italian/Petrarchan sonnet
This type of sonnet is divided into two parts—a set of eight lines called an octave and a set of six lines called a sestet. The octave usually presents a problem, a question, or a situation, while the sestet offers a resolution, an answer, or a reflection.
The rhyme scheme of the Italian sonnet is typically ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various rhyme patterns such as CDCDCD, CDECDE, or CDDCDD for the sestet.
English/Shakespearean Sonnet
This type of sonnet is divided into three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a concluding couplet (a two-line stanza). The quatrains often present different aspects of a theme or build up an argument, while the couplet delivers a concluding statement, a twist, or a resolution.
The rhyme scheme of the English sonnet is typically ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
quatrains
four-line stanzas
Couplet
a two-line stanza
Both types of sonnets usually explore themes of love, beauty, mortality, nature, or philosophical ideas. They often employ various poetic techniques such as metaphors, similes, alliteration, and imagery to convey complex emotions and ideas within the confined structure of the sonnet.
Tercet
A stanza consisting of three lines.
Stressed syllable
stressed syllables are the ones that receive emphasis or are spoken with more force. They typically stand out more prominently in the line’s rhythm.
Trochaic meter
Consists of two syllables per foot, with the first syllable stressed (or heavy) and the second syllable unstressed (or light). Example: “HEL-lo”
Anapestic meter
Consists of three syllables per foot, with the first two syllables unstressed (or light) and the third syllable stressed (or heavy). Example: “un-der-STAND-ing”
volta
refers to a shift or turn in thought, tone, or emotion within a poem. It is a point of change or transition that often occurs between different sections or stanzas of a poem. The volta can be seen as a moment of surprise, contrast, or resolution that adds complexity and depth to the overall structure and meaning of the poem.
Half rhymes
