Meter
Poetic rhythm determined by character and number of feet.
Iambic: unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable.
Trochiac: stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable.
Ode
Poem often in the form of an address and in exalted style, in Expresses the speaker’s
praise of something/one. It is exalted in both feelings and admiration.
expression, written in rhymed stanzas.
Elegy
Song of lamentation or mourning that honours someone /thing Expresses the speaker’s sorrow.
that
has died. Subject matter is treated in a suitable serious fashion.
The tone is sad and mournful with a slow rhythm.
Lyric
Originates also in songs. It is much more emotive that usually Expresses the speaker’s feelings.
conveys feelings. It is typically a short poem that deals with a
single theme or idea.
An allegory
It is the representation of abstract ideas or principles by characters. Once again the allegory makes use
of the story form, and it is long, but it either has a religious theme or it contains a moral warning, or offers
advice to the reader, e.g. "Faerie Queen” by Edmund Spencer.
Rhythm:
Rhythm is the follow of words or ‘beat’ in a poem. It is the repetition or recurrence of stress. Metre is the
term used to describe the measurement of regular rhythm.
The function of rhythm is to emphasise or endorse the meaning of the words in a poem. It can also help
create a particular mood or atmosphere, convey a particular theme or set a particular pace.
Rhyme:
It is the repetition of similar sounds.
a) End rhyme: rhyme occurs at the end of lines of verse. (time; crime)
b) Half rhyme: words do not fully rhyme but there is a similarity in sound. (work; pitchfork)
c) Internal rhyme: a word in the middle of the verse line, rhymes with the word at the end of the verse
line. (“In mist or cloud, on mast or shroud,)
Imagery:
It is the use of word pictures or images that usually appeal to our senses but they may also appeal to the
heart or the mind.
Figures of speech:
Words, phrases or expressions used in a manner other than their literal meaning in order to produce a
special effect. It is important to know how figures of speech work.
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POETIC DEVICES & FIGURES OF SPEECH
Figures of speech based on associated ideas
metonymy
Substitution of the name of something for that of
the thing meant, e.g. “And ploughs down palaces, and thrones, and towers.”
synecdoche:
A part is named but the whole is meant/ understood, OR the whole is named but only part is
meant/understood, e.g.
“ … his back to the five
thin healthy head grazing.”
hyperbole:
Exaggerated statement. Not meant to be taken literally,
litotes:
Ironical understatement, esp. expressing an affirmative by the negative of its contrary.
euphemism:
Substitution of vague or mild expression for harsh or direct one, e.g. “He passed away” is a
euphemism for “He died”.
Other useful terminology
rhetorical question:
A question that is asked not for information but to produce effect.
apostrophe:
The poet addresses an inanimate object, or an absent person.
pathos:
Quality in writing that excites pity or sadness.
enjambment:
Continuation of sentence beyond end of line, e.g. “His state Is kingly; thousands at his bidding
speed and post o’er land and ocean without rest:”
inversion:
Reversal of normal, grammatical order of words, e.g.
“How with this rage shall beauty hold a plea
Whose action is no stronger than a flower, …
satire:
Ridiculing prevalent vices or follies e.g.
“Tis with our judgments as our watches, none
Go just alike, yet each believes his own.”
dramatic irony:
The audience/reader is aware of a fact which the speaker is unaware of. This gives the speaker’s
words a double meaning.
understatement:
Represents something as less than it really is: After the floods, when things were carried away by
the water, we say “We’ve had some rain.”
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