"Poetry is language at its most distilled and most powerful" ~Rita Dove
The Elements of Poetry
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Mood or Tone
The feeling that is evoked. Figurative Language Simile, metaphor, hyperbole, idiom, personification. Imagery Words that appeal to the senses. Diction Poet’s word choice. Title A good title can add depth to the poem, or help illuminate the meaning for the reader. A bad title can be too obvious, too revealing, or simply confusing. |
Symbolism
A representation of something else. Connotation The figurative meaning. Denotation The dictionary meaning. Irony The juxtaposition between what appears to be true and what’s actually true. Form Free verse, haiku, ballad, sonnet, pastiche. |
Meter
The rhythm or beat established by poet. Repetition Words, lines or phrases repeated for emphasis POV (Point of View) Narration. Who’s talking. Stanza Division of lines in a poem (like paragraphs). Stressed Syllables Stressed syllables are emphasized or spoken loudly. |
Rhyme
Words that have the same ending sound. Alliteration Words with the same beginning sound. Assonance Words with the same middle vowel sound. Word Order Poet changes word order for meaning. Unstressed Syllables Unstressed syllables are not emphasized nor spoken loudly. |