200+ Poetic Devices All English Students Must Know

For IB students studying English Literature or English Language and Literature understanding and analysing key poetic terms is essential for developing the depth of insight that examiners seek. These terms are tools that help students dissect, analyse and interpret complex poems. By mastering these concepts, students can more effectively identify and discuss how poets convey themes, construct imagery, and engage readers emotionally and intellectually.

Examiners look for students who demonstrate a nuanced understanding of poetic elements, using them to support detailed analysis and critical thought. These insights show examiners that students not only comprehend the poem but can also articulate its deeper meanings and effects. Incorporating these terms into essays and analyses allows students to meet assessment objectives, such as demonstrating interpretation, analysis, and evaluation, as outlined in the IB’s Language A: Literature Guide.

Below is a list of over 200 different poetic devices. Mastering these will give you the confidence and skills needed to aim for a 7 on your English Literature or Language and Literature exam

We have separate the poetic devices into categories:

Poetic devices that explain the sound of words
Poetic devices that explain the meaning of words
Rhetorical and figurative techniques
Schemes (Structure)
Types of structure in poems
Metre

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Poetic devices that explain the sound of words

Alliteration

Definition: The repetition of initial consonant sounds in closely placed words within a line or stanza.
Impact: In poetry, alliteration adds rhythm, flow, and emphasis, drawing attention to particular sounds or emotions. It can underscore thematic elements or evoke specific sensory experiences, making the poem’s language more vivid.
Example: "Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing" (Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven). The repeated "d" and "f" sounds create an ominous tone, reflecting the speaker's apprehension.

Consonance

Definition: The recurrence of consonant sounds, particularly at the end or within words, across lines or stanzas.
Impact: Consonance enhances the cohesion of a poem, creating an underlying harmony or tension depending on the sounds chosen. It can emphasize certain themes or emotions, often reinforcing the mood or tone of the poem.
Example: "Do not go gentle into that good night, / Old age should burn and rave at close of day" (Dylan Thomas, Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night). The “t” sounds create a defiant, urgent rhythm, mirroring the speaker’s plea.

Assonance

Definition: The repetition of vowel sounds in close proximity within lines of poetry.
Impact: Assonance enriches the musicality of a poem, often enhancing its emotional resonance. Depending on the vowel sounds, it can create a soft, haunting atmosphere or a lively, bouncing rhythm.
Example: "I rose and told him of my woe" (William Blake, The Chimney Sweeper). The repetition of the “o” sound creates a mournful tone, emphasizing the speaker’s sorrow.

Cacophony

Definition: The deliberate use of harsh, jarring sounds to create a discordant effect in a poem.
Impact: Cacophony disrupts the flow of a poem, often mirroring chaotic or intense emotions. It can highlight conflict, unease, or a sense of urgency, making the reader feel the poem’s tension.
Example: “Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay” (Dylan Thomas, Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night). The abrupt sounds in "blaze" and "meteors" convey a fierce, fiery energy, reflecting the intensity of the speaker's message.

Euphony

Definition: The use of pleasing, harmonious sounds to create a melodious effect in a poem.
Impact: Euphony adds a soft, flowing quality to poetry, enhancing a sense of peace, beauty, or harmony. It can evoke pleasant emotions and create an inviting atmosphere, often supporting themes of tranquility or joy.
Example: “And round thee blow, self-pleased, / Winds of the ocean seas” (Walt Whitman, Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking). The smooth “s” and “l” sounds contribute to a calming, serene mood.

Rhythm

Definition: The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables within a line, giving the poem a beat. Rhythm may follow a specific meter or be free-flowing.
Impact: Rhythm shapes the poem’s pacing and flow, impacting how readers experience it. A steady rhythm can evoke calm, while irregular or fast rhythms add tension or excitement, guiding readers’ emotions through the poem’s structure.
Example: “In a station of the metro, / The apparition of these faces in the crowd” (Ezra Pound, In a Station of the Metro). The rhythm is brief and condensed, mimicking the suddenness of a crowded station.

Onomatopoeia

Definition: Words that imitate or resemble sounds within the poem.
Impact: Onomatopoeia brings an auditory element to poetry, making scenes more immersive. It can mimic the environment described, enhancing sensory detail and deepening the emotional connection for the reader.
Example: "The murmuring of innumerable bees" (Alfred Lord Tennyson, The Princess). "Murmuring" imitates the sound of bees, creating a peaceful, natural ambiance.

Sibilance

Definition: A form of consonance where soft consonant sounds, like “s” or “sh,” are repeated, creating a hissing or whispering effect.
Impact: Sibilance can add a layer of mystery, quietness, or suspense to a poem. It can also evoke a sense of softness or eeriness, depending on the poem’s context, often reinforcing the mood or setting.
Example: “And the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple curtain” (Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven). The “s” sounds contribute to a hushed, ghostly atmosphere.

Dissonance

Definition: The intentional use of clashing sounds to create a jarring effect.
Impact: Dissonance emphasizes tension or discomfort in a poem, often mirroring emotional or thematic conflict. It disrupts the reader’s sense of harmony, drawing focus to certain lines or ideas that convey turmoil or chaos.
Example: “And the doors slammed and the rocks cracked” (D.H. Lawrence, The Snake). The hard sounds convey a sense of force and danger, highlighting the violent action in the scene.

Meter

Definition: A structured pattern of syllables, often involving a sequence of stressed and unstressed syllables, that creates a specific rhythm.
Impact: Meter provides a rhythmic framework for a poem, giving it form and flow. Different meters can evoke different moods, from formal elegance to casual liveliness, shaping readers’ engagement with the poem’s themes and emotions.
Example: “To be or not to be, that is the question” (William Shakespeare, Hamlet). The iambic pentameter adds a steady rhythm, creating a reflective tone that complements the line’s contemplative nature.

Repetition

Definition: The deliberate reuse of words or phrases to emphasize themes, emotions, or ideas.
Impact: Repetition reinforces key ideas, adding intensity and rhythm. In poetry, it can highlight themes, evoke emotional depth, and make certain images or feelings linger, enhancing the poem’s overall impact.
Example: “O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done” (Walt Whitman, O Captain! My Captain!). Repeating “O Captain!” emphasizes the speaker’s deep reverence and sorrow.

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Poetic devices that explain the meaning of words

Ad Hominem

Definition: In poetry, ad hominem can occur in dramatic monologues or narrative poems where one character criticizes another's character instead of their argument.
Impact: Ad hominem attacks in poetry can reveal personal biases, add tension, or shape readers' perceptions, making conflicts more relatable or dramatic.
Example: In The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T.S. Eliot, Prufrock often criticizes societal expectations rather than engaging with them directly, revealing his inner struggles.

Ambiguity

Definition: The presence of multiple possible interpretations within a line or phrase in poetry.
Impact: Ambiguity in poetry opens up varied interpretations, inviting readers to engage with the poem on a personal level and explore its themes from multiple angles.
Example: In The Tyger by William Blake, the question “Did he who made the Lamb make thee?” leaves readers to ponder the creator's nature and intentions, adding layers to the poem’s meaning.

Analogy

Definition: A comparison between two seemingly different things to highlight similarities.
Impact: Analogies in poetry clarify complex ideas by relating them to familiar ones, enhancing readers' understanding and connection to the poem’s themes.
Example: In The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost, the paths in the woods serve as an analogy for life choices, helping readers reflect on the impact of decisions.

Aphorism

Definition: A concise, memorable statement expressing a general truth or insight within a poem.
Impact: Aphorisms add depth to poetry, distilling universal truths in a way that resonates with readers, often making the lines more impactful and quotable.
Example: “Beauty is truth, truth beauty,—that is all / Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know” (Ode on a Grecian Urn by John Keats).

Apostrophe

Definition: When the speaker addresses an absent person, an abstract idea, or an inanimate object.
Impact: Apostrophe in poetry conveys intense emotion or introspection, drawing readers closer to the speaker's internal thoughts and feelings.
Example: In Ode to the West Wind by Percy Bysshe Shelley, the speaker directly addresses the wind, expressing admiration and longing for its power.

Anthropomorphism and Personification

Definition: Anthropomorphism attributes human qualities to animals, while personification gives human traits to objects or abstract ideas.
Impact: These techniques make abstract or non-human elements relatable, enhancing the imagery and emotional impact of the poem.
Example: “The wind stood up and gave a shout” (Emily Dickinson). Personifying the wind adds a lively, dynamic quality to the scene.

Pathetic Fallacy

Definition: The attribution of human emotions to nature, often reflecting the mood of the poem or the speaker’s feelings.
Impact: Pathetic fallacy intensifies the atmosphere, mirroring emotions and adding depth to the setting. It aligns nature with the speaker’s inner world, enriching the poem’s mood.
Example: In Frankenstein, storms and turbulent weather mirror Victor’s inner turmoil and guilt.

Allegory

Definition: A narrative or extended metaphor in which characters, events, or settings represent larger ideas or themes.
Impact: Allegories in poetry add layers of meaning, allowing readers to interpret broader messages about morality, philosophy, or society.
Example: William Blake’s The Lamb and The Tyger together form an allegory about innocence and experience, exploring themes of creation and duality.

Pathos

Definition: The use of emotional appeal to connect with readers.
Impact: Pathos in poetry draws readers into the emotional landscape, creating empathy and engagement. It deepens the reader's emotional connection and heightens the poem’s impact.
Example: In Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas, pathos is used to evoke sorrow and desperation, enhancing the poem’s powerful plea.

Bathos

Definition: A sudden shift from serious to trivial, creating a humorous or ironic effect.
Impact: Bathos adds a layer of irony or humor to a poem, often revealing character flaws or societal critiques. It can break tension or emphasize absurdity.
Example: In The Rape of the Lock by Alexander Pope, trivial concerns are described with epic grandeur, creating bathos that satirizes vanity and superficiality.

Caricature

Definition: An exaggerated portrayal of a character’s traits for emphasis or satirical effect.
Impact: Caricature in poetry often critiques societal norms or personalities, making characters memorable while highlighting their absurdities.
Example: In The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer uses caricature to depict exaggerated traits of societal figures, creating satire.

Colloquialism

Definition: The use of informal language or dialect in poetry.
Impact: Colloquialism creates realism, connecting the poem to a specific time, place, or group of people, and enhancing the voice of the speaker.
Example: In The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, T.S. Eliot’s use of conversational language makes Prufrock’s anxieties relatable and grounded.

Comparison

Definition: The juxtaposition of two things to highlight similarities or contrasts, using devices like similes, metaphors, and analogies.
Impact: Comparisons in poetry clarify emotions or ideas, providing depth and enhancing the imagery, allowing readers to understand themes from new perspectives.
Example: “Hope is the thing with feathers” by Emily Dickinson compares hope to a bird, emphasizing its lightness and resilience.

Extended Metaphor

Definition: A metaphor that extends across multiple lines or stanzas, developing an idea or theme throughout the poem.
Impact: Extended metaphors unify a poem’s imagery, creating a cohesive structure that reinforces themes and ideas, enhancing the poem’s emotional resonance.
Example: In The Road Not Taken, Robert Frost uses the extended metaphor of a forked path to explore life’s choices and their consequences.

Conceit

Definition: An elaborate metaphor comparing two vastly different things, often unexpected but thought-provoking.
Impact: Conceits challenge readers to consider complex emotions or themes, adding depth and encouraging deeper engagement with the poem’s ideas.
Example: In A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning by John Donne, the comparison of love to a compass illustrates the strength of unity despite separation.

Connotation

Definition: The implied or associated meanings of a word beyond its literal definition.
Impact: Connotations enhance the poem’s tone, creating emotional or cultural layers that deepen readers’ interpretations and responses.
Example: The word “night” in Robert Frost’s Acquainted with the Night connotes loneliness and introspection.

Irony

Definition: When the intended meaning contrasts with the literal meaning, creating layers of complexity in poetry.
Impact: Irony adds depth, often producing humor, surprise, or tension, allowing readers to grasp underlying themes and contradictions.
Example: In Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley, the irony of a ruined statue claiming greatness highlights the theme of impermanence.

Oxymoron

Definition: A phrase that combines contradictory terms.
Impact: Oxymorons add complexity, highlighting the paradoxical nature of ideas or emotions within a poem, making readers ponder contrasts.
Example: “Parting is such sweet sorrow” (William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet), capturing the mixed emotions of farewell.

Hyperbole

Definition: Exaggeration not meant to be taken literally.
Impact: Hyperbole intensifies emotions or themes, creating strong imagery and adding emphasis, humor, or irony to the poem’s message.
Example: “An hundred years should go to praise / Thine eyes and on thy forehead gaze” (Andrew Marvell, To His Coy Mistress), exaggerating the speaker’s admiration.

Synecdoche

Definition: A figure of speech in which a part represents the whole.
Impact: Synecdoche adds vividness by focusing on a specific element, often emphasizing important aspects and enhancing the symbolic meaning.
Example: “All hands on deck” represents all sailors, highlighting the urgency and unity of action.

Paradox

Definition: A seemingly contradictory statement that may reveal a deeper truth.
Impact: Paradox in poetry provokes thought, highlighting complexities or contradictions, often deepening readers’ engagement with themes.
Example: “I must be cruel only to be kind” (Shakespeare, Hamlet), conveying the complex motivations behind actions.

Symbolism

Definition: The use of symbols to represent broader ideas or themes.
Impact: Symbolism adds layers of meaning, making abstract themes more tangible and deepening readers’ interpretations of the poem.
Example: In The Raven, Edgar Allan Poe uses the raven as a symbol of grief and loss, representing the speaker’s mourning.

Understatement

Definition: Presenting something as less important or significant than it actually is.
Impact: Understatement adds irony or subtle emphasis, making intense emotions or themes seem minimal, which can underscore themes or add depth to characters.
Example: In The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, Eliot’s speaker downplays his anxieties, adding irony to his inner turmoil.

Epizeuxis

Definition: The repetition of a word or phrase in immediate succession for emphasis.
Impact: Epizeuxis intensifies the emotional impact and draws attention to key words or ideas.
Example: “Alone, alone, all all alone, / Alone on a wide, wide sea” (Samuel Taylor Coleridge, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner).

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Rhetorical and figurative techniques

Figurative Language

Definition: Language that goes beyond the literal meaning of words, using creative comparisons and expressions to convey deeper meanings, emotions, or imagery in poetry.
Impact: Figurative language adds layers of interpretation, inviting readers to experience complex emotions and vivid imagery, enhancing their connection to the poem’s themes.
Example: “Her smile was as bright as the sun,” uses a simile to evoke warmth and positivity in a relatable way.

Metaphor

Definition: A direct comparison between two unrelated things, suggesting that one is the other, often to convey an abstract idea or emotion.
Impact: Metaphors create striking imagery in poetry, making abstract concepts more accessible and deeply resonant, helping readers feel the poem’s emotional core.
Example: “Time is a thief that steals our years” conveys the idea of time passing swiftly and subtly taking away moments.

Simile

Definition: A comparison between two different things using “like” or “as” to highlight a shared quality.
Impact: Similes enhance imagery, helping readers visualize the poet’s ideas or emotions by connecting them to familiar experiences.
Example: “Her laughter was like music to his ears,” uses a simile to convey the joy and harmony her laughter brings.

Periphrasis

Definition: The use of longer phrases to express an idea that could be stated more simply, often to create a formal or ironic tone.
Impact: Periphrasis adds elegance or irony to poetry, sometimes drawing attention to an idea by making the expression more elaborate or indirect.
Example: “The elongated yellow fruit” instead of “banana” adds a layer of humor or sophistication.

Metonymy

Definition: Substituting a word with something closely related to it, often to create symbolic or emotional connections.
Impact: Metonymy enriches meaning by associating ideas, objects, or emotions, allowing for more compact and symbolic expression in poetry.
Example: “The White House issued a statement” substitutes “White House” for “the U.S. government,” adding a political connotation.

Pun

Definition: A play on words that exploits similar sounds or multiple meanings for humorous or ironic effect.
Impact: Puns add wit and wordplay to poetry, engaging readers with humor and highlighting multiple interpretations of a phrase.
Example: “I used to be a baker, but I couldn’t make enough dough,” plays on “dough” as both money and bread.

Zeugma

Definition: A figure of speech where one word applies to two others in different ways.
Impact: Zeugma adds complexity to poetry by creating a dual meaning, often surprising readers and highlighting contrasts or parallels.
Example: “He stole her heart and her wallet,” uses one verb for two different actions, emphasizing emotional and physical loss.

Syllepsis

Definition: Similar to zeugma, where a single word applies differently to two others, creating irony or humor.
Impact: Syllepsis adds wit by using a word in multiple senses, often pointing out contrasts in meaning that deepen the poem’s theme.
Example: “She blew my mind and my fuse,” plays on “blew” to suggest both mental and emotional impact.

Prosopopoeia

Definition: A type of personification where abstract concepts or inanimate objects speak or act as if they were human.
Impact: Prosopopoeia adds depth, allowing concepts or objects to express human emotions or insights, making the poem’s themes more relatable.
Example: In poetry, “Time laughs as it races by” personifies time as an active, almost mocking force.

Erotema

Definition: Also known as a rhetorical question, posed for effect rather than an answer.
Impact: Erotema engages readers by inviting them to ponder the question, often emphasizing themes or emotions within the poem.
Example: “What’s in a name?” from Romeo and Juliet reflects on identity and meaning.

Meiosis

Definition: Intentional understatement to minimize significance, often adding irony.
Impact: Meiosis in poetry can create humor, draw subtle emphasis, or show a speaker’s modest or dismissive attitude.
Example: Describing a life-changing event as “no big deal” can convey irony and understatement.

Litotes

Definition: A form of understatement using negation to emphasize a positive quality.
Impact: Litotes adds subtle emphasis and often a restrained, ironic tone, making statements seem humble or modest.
Example: “It’s not bad,” suggesting something is good in an understated way.

Anthimeria

Definition: The substitution of one part of speech for another, such as using a noun as a verb.
Impact: Anthimeria adds creativity, making language expressive and dynamic in poetry, often giving new meanings to familiar words.
Example: “She just ghosted me,” where “ghost” (a noun) is used as a verb.

Catachresis

Definition: A strained or unusual use of a word, often creating a mixed metaphor.
Impact: Catachresis creates unique, sometimes jarring imagery, adding complexity or humor to poetic descriptions.
Example: “I will speak daggers to her,” combines “speak” and “daggers” in an unusual metaphor.

Synaesthesia

Definition: A blending of sensory experiences, using one sense to describe another.
Impact: Synaesthesia adds vivid, multi-sensory imagery to poetry, allowing readers to experience descriptions in unexpected ways.
Example: “A loud color” or “a sweet sound” combines sight with hearing or taste.

Aporia

Definition: A device expressing doubt or uncertainty, often reflective or rhetorical.
Impact: Aporia creates suspense and invites readers into the speaker’s inner conflict, adding depth to the poem’s themes or emotions.
Example: “To be, or not to be,” expresses Hamlet’s existential dilemma, engaging readers with his introspection.

Aposiopesis

Definition: A sudden breaking off in speech, leaving a thought incomplete.
Impact: Aposiopesis creates tension and highlights intense emotion, suggesting hesitation or overwhelming feeling in poetry.
Example: “If only you knew what I’d…” leaves readers guessing and creates suspense.

Verisimilitude

Definition: The appearance of being real or true, often through realistic detail.
Impact: Verisimilitude adds authenticity, helping readers connect more deeply by making the poem’s images or emotions feel real.
Example: In Robert Frost’s nature poetry, detailed descriptions of rural life enhance the sense of reality.

Chiasmus

Definition: A rhetorical device where words or concepts are repeated in reverse order.
Impact: Chiasmus creates memorable lines and emphasizes contrast or parallelism, deepening the relationship between ideas.
Example: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”

Anaphora

Definition: The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines or clauses.
Impact: Anaphora emphasizes key themes or emotions, creating rhythm and reinforcing the poem's central ideas.
Example: “I have a dream…” (Martin Luther King Jr.’s I Have a Dream speech uses anaphora).

Rhetorical Question

Definition: A question posed by the speaker without the expectation of an answer, often used for effect.
Impact: Rhetorical questions engage readers, inviting them to reflect on the underlying theme or emotion. They often add emphasis to the speaker’s ideas or provoke thought on complex issues.
Example: “What is the meaning of life?” prompts readers to ponder existential questions along with the speaker.

Fallacy

Definition: A flawed or illogical argument or belief, sometimes used to convey misunderstandings or highlight biases.
Impact: In poetry, fallacies can reveal a speaker’s flaws, add irony, or highlight conflicts. They may expose underlying contradictions, making the poem’s themes more complex and layered.
Example: A speaker claiming “Only the wealthy can know true happiness” exposes a fallacy about wealth and fulfillment.

Allusion

Definition: A brief reference to a well-known person, event, or work of literature.
Impact: Allusions enrich a poem by connecting it to broader cultural, historical, or literary themes, enhancing readers’ understanding and adding depth to the text.
Example: “He met his Juliet” alludes to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, suggesting themes of romance and tragedy.

Anachronism

Definition: An element in a poem that is out of its proper time, often used intentionally to create an effect.
Impact: Anachronisms can add humor, highlight timeless themes, or underscore contrasts between eras, sometimes emphasizing the poet’s commentary on change or continuity.
Example: Referring to a medieval knight as “sending a text” creates a humorous, jarring contrast and may critique modern communication.

Archaism

Definition: The use of words or phrases that are outdated or belong to an earlier time.
Impact: Archaism can give a poem a timeless or traditional quality, evoking nostalgia or connecting readers to historical contexts. It can also add formality and depth to the language.
Example: “Thou art” instead of “you are” creates an old-fashioned, formal tone.

Concession

Definition: Acknowledgment of an opposing viewpoint before arguing against it.
Impact: Concession in poetry adds complexity, showing the speaker’s awareness of other perspectives, which may make their argument more compelling or relatable.
Example: “I know the road is hard, but it is worth the journey” acknowledges the difficulty while reinforcing resolve.

Inference

Definition: The process of drawing a conclusion based on implicit clues within the poem.
Impact: In poetry, inference engages readers, inviting them to look for hidden meanings or subtext, which can deepen their understanding of themes or emotions.
Example: In a poem that describes “falling leaves and silent streets,” readers might infer themes of loneliness or change.

Ethos

Definition: A rhetorical appeal based on the character or credibility of the speaker.
Impact: In poetry, ethos builds trust between the speaker and reader, making the speaker’s perspective more relatable or persuasive, especially in poems that explore personal beliefs or experiences.
Example: A poet reflecting on lived experience or cultural heritage builds ethos, adding authenticity to their voice.

Double Entendre

Definition: A phrase or word with two meanings, often one of which is risqué or ironic.
Impact: Double entendres add humor or complexity to poetry, encouraging readers to interpret a line in multiple ways. They can create layers of meaning that deepen the reader’s engagement with the text.
Example: “He plucked her rose” can imply both literal and figurative meanings, depending on context.

Euphemism

Definition: A mild or indirect expression used to replace something harsh or unpleasant.
Impact: Euphemisms soften intense or uncomfortable subjects in poetry, making themes more accessible or adding subtlety to the language. They may also reveal the speaker’s tone or attitude toward a topic.
Example: “He passed away” is a euphemism for death, often softening the impact of loss.

Idiom

Definition: A common phrase whose meaning isn’t literal but understood culturally or figuratively.
Impact: Idioms add familiarity and relatability to poetry, often capturing universal experiences or emotions concisely. They can connect readers with the speaker’s cultural or regional background.
Example: “Break the ice” conveys easing tension or discomfort, adding warmth to a social interaction.

Circumlocution

Definition: The use of unnecessarily long or complex language to describe something simple.
Impact: Circumlocution can add humor, formality, or irony in poetry, often emphasizing a speaker’s elaborate style or drawing attention to the significance of a subject.
Example: “The elongated yellow fruit” instead of “banana” adds a humorous or grandiose tone.

Pleonasm

Definition: The use of redundant words or phrases to emphasize an idea.
Impact: Pleonasm can create emphasis or rhythm in poetry, intensifying an idea by restating it in multiple ways. It may also add a grand, formal tone to the language.
Example: “Burning fire” emphasizes the intensity of the flame, though “fire” alone would be sufficient.

Vernacular

Definition: The use of everyday language or regional dialect in poetry.
Impact: Vernacular creates authenticity and relatability, grounding the poem in a specific cultural or social context and making the speaker’s voice feel more genuine.
Example: In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain uses Southern vernacular to reflect regional speech.

Malapropism

Definition: The unintentional misuse of a word that sounds similar to the correct word, often with humorous effect.
Impact: Malapropism can add humor and reveal aspects of the speaker’s character, sometimes indicating naivety, confusion, or playful language.
Example: Saying “pineapple of politeness” instead of “pinnacle of politeness” adds humor and may characterize the speaker as somewhat unrefined.

Anecdote

Definition: A brief story or personal account used to illustrate a point or theme.
Impact: Anecdotes add a personal touch to poetry, helping readers connect emotionally to the theme. They provide context or insight into the speaker’s experiences or attitudes.
Example: A poem beginning with a speaker’s childhood memory about a parent can add emotional depth and set the stage for themes of family or legacy.

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Schemes (Structure)

Schemes are figures of speech that deal with word order, syntax, letters, and sounds, rather than the meaning of words.

Parallelism

Definition: The use of similar grammatical structures in successive phrases or lines.
Impact: Parallelism emphasizes ideas, creating rhythm and reinforcing themes.
Example: “What the hammer? what the chain?” (William Blake, The Tyger).

Caesura

Definition: A deliberate pause or break within a line of poetry, usually signaled by punctuation.
Impact: Caesura interrupts the rhythm, adding emphasis to certain words or ideas and creating a reflective or dramatic pause.
Example: “To be or not to be—that is the question.”

Epistrophe

Definition: The repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive lines or clauses.
Impact: Epistrophe reinforces a theme, creating a powerful, cumulative effect and often adding emotional weight.
Example: “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child…” (1 Corinthians 13:11).

Polysyndeton

Definition: The deliberate use of many conjunctions between phrases or words.
Impact: Polysyndeton slows down the rhythm and adds a sense of abundance or intensity, often reflecting the complexity of ideas or emotions.
Example: “And the waves, and the winds, and the skies…” adds a layered, cumulative feel.

Asyndeton

Definition: The omission of conjunctions between parts of a sentence.
Impact: Asyndeton creates a fast-paced rhythm and can convey urgency, simplicity, or spontaneity.
Example: “I came, I saw, I conquered.”

Enjambment

Definition: The continuation of a sentence or clause over a line break.
Impact: Enjambment creates flow and momentum, guiding readers through the poem’s ideas without pausing, often building suspense or urgency.
Example: “The sun hovered above / the horizon, suspended in time…”

Antithesis

Definition: The juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced phrases.
Impact: Antithesis highlights opposites or contrasts, creating a sense of balance or tension in the poem, often enhancing themes.
Example: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” highlights duality and contrast.

Anastrophe

Definition: The inversion of the usual order of words in a sentence or line.
Impact: Anastrophe disrupts normal syntax, adding emphasis to specific words and creating a unique rhythm. It often adds a sense of formality or poetic flair, drawing attention to themes or emotions.
Example: “Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing” (The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe). The inversion creates a mysterious, haunting tone.

Antimetabole & Chiasmus

Definition: A rhetorical device in which words or phrases are repeated in reverse order (chiasmus focuses on structural mirroring, while antimetabole repeats exact words).
Impact: These devices highlight contrasts and create balance, adding depth to themes or ideas. They also make lines memorable and impactful, often emphasizing a poem’s central message.
Example: “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” (William Shakespeare, Macbeth). The reversal emphasizes the theme of duality and moral ambiguity.

Hyperbaton

Definition: Rearrangement of typical word order in a line to emphasize specific words or ideas.
Impact: Hyperbaton creates emphasis on certain words, adding drama and intensity to a poem’s message. It can also alter rhythm and pace, making the lines feel more dynamic or unexpected.
Example: “This I must see” places importance on the speaker’s curiosity or urgency, rather than following the conventional “I must see this.”

Alliosis

Definition: Presenting alternatives in a balanced structure, typically contrasting two options without judgment.
Impact: Alliosis highlights choices or dualities, prompting readers to consider multiple perspectives and adding nuance to the poem’s theme or argument.
Example: “To live or to die, to fight or to flee,” presents opposing actions that explore the theme of choice and consequence.

Ellipsis

Definition: The omission of words in a line that are understood in context.
Impact: Ellipsis creates brevity and mystery, allowing readers to fill in gaps and engage more actively with the text. It can imply hesitation, reflection, or an unspoken meaning.
Example: “I came... I saw... I conquered.” The ellipses convey a dramatic pause, intensifying the sense of accomplishment.

Climax

Definition: A rhetorical device that arranges words, phrases, or clauses in increasing order of importance or intensity.
Impact: Climax builds suspense, guiding the reader through a gradual buildup to an impactful revelation or emotional peak, often reinforcing a poem’s central idea.
Example: “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield” (Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Ulysses). The climactic structure emphasizes determination and resolve.

Enallage

Definition: The intentional use of incorrect grammar or unusual syntax for effect.
Impact: Enallage can give a unique voice to the speaker, creating a sense of informality, authenticity, or regional dialect. It may also emphasize certain emotions or ideas by defying expectations.
Example: “The wind do howl tonight,” can give a rustic or regional feel, emphasizing the character’s voice and creating mood.

Anapodoton

Definition: A sentence deliberately left incomplete, where the main clause is omitted or implied.
Impact: Anapodoton creates suspense and invites readers to speculate on the unspoken conclusion. It can emphasize an emotion or thought that is too intense or complex to finish.
Example: “If only I could…” leaves the reader guessing, adding tension or emotional weight.

Tmesis

Definition: The insertion of a word or phrase between parts of a compound word or phrase.
Impact: Tmesis adds emphasis and can create a unique rhythm or humor in poetry. It may also draw attention to specific parts of a word or phrase, enhancing meaning.
Example: “Fan-bloody-tastic” adds emphasis to “fantastic,” often conveying excitement or emphasis.

Metaplasmus

Definition: The intentional alteration of a word’s spelling or form to create a particular effect, such as elongation, abbreviation, or distortion.
Impact: Metaplasmus can evoke specific dialects, emphasize themes, or add an unconventional, playful tone to poetry, making language feel more personal or unique.
Example: “Forevermore” instead of “forever” gives a formal, archaic tone, often enhancing themes of eternity or romance.

Prosthesis

Definition: Adding a syllable or letter at the beginning of a word to create emphasis or fit a meter.
Impact: Prosthesis can add an archaic or poetic tone, helping to maintain rhythm or enhancing the aesthetic quality of the language.
Example: “A-flying through the night,” where “a-” adds emphasis and rhythm.

Epenthesis

Definition: The addition of a sound or syllable within a word for rhythm, emphasis, or poetic effect.
Impact: Epenthesis can soften or elongate sounds, enhancing the musicality and flow of a line, often making the poem feel more lyrical or formal.
Example: “Ath-e-lone” rather than “Athlone” to fit a specific meter.

Anadiplosis

Definition: The repetition of the last word of one line or clause at the beginning of the next.
Impact: Anadiplosis creates continuity and emphasis, drawing attention to a specific word or idea and often reinforcing the poem’s theme or rhythm.
Example: “Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” The repetition builds tension and connects ideas.

Gradatio

Definition: A series of anadiplosis that builds in intensity, leading to a climax.
Impact: Gradatio increases suspense and builds emotional impact, guiding readers through an escalating series of ideas that culminate in a powerful climax.
Example: “Who knows what truth is? Truth is knowledge. Knowledge is power. Power is everything.” The progression creates a sense of inevitability.

Symploce

Definition: The combination of anaphora and epistrophe, repeating words or phrases at both the beginning and end of successive lines.
Impact: Symploce creates a strong rhythm and unity, reinforcing themes or emotions by drawing attention to repeated phrases.
Example: “When there is love, there is peace. When there is hatred, there is pain.” The repetition adds balance and emphasis.

Anagram

Definition: A word or phrase formed by rearranging the letters of another word or phrase.
Impact: Anagrams add layers of meaning or playfulness, inviting readers to discover hidden connections between words or themes.
Example: Using “silent” as an anagram for “listen” can symbolize understanding and introspection.

Epanalepsis

Definition: Repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning and end of a line or clause.
Impact: Epanalepsis emphasizes key ideas, creating a sense of completeness and unity, often reinforcing a central theme or emotion.
Example: “The king is dead, long live the king.” This creates a cyclical, poignant impact.

Diacope

Definition: The repetition of a word or phrase with a small number of intervening words.
Impact: Diacope reinforces a particular word or idea, creating rhythm and emphasizing the speaker’s emotion or urgency.
Example: “To be, or not to be” (Shakespeare, Hamlet). The repetition heightens introspection and inner conflict.

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Types of structure in poems

Ballad

Definition: A narrative poem, often in a song-like form, that tells a story, usually focusing on themes of love, tragedy, or adventure. Traditional ballads often use a rhyme scheme of ABAB or ABCB and are structured in quatrains.
Impact: Ballads engage readers through storytelling and rhythm, making complex themes accessible and memorable. They often evoke emotional responses, connecting readers to the characters and events within the poem.
Example: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge is a famous ballad that tells a story of sin, punishment, and redemption.

Elegy

Definition: A mournful or reflective poem, typically lamenting the loss of a person, or exploring themes of death and mortality. Elegies are often solemn and contemplative, capturing the poet’s grief and reflections on life.
Impact: Elegies provide an emotional outlet for sorrow and remembrance, offering both poet and reader a way to process grief. They often explore universal themes of loss, remembrance, and the impermanence of life, creating a meditative space for reflection.
Example: “O Captain! My Captain!” by Walt Whitman is an elegy mourning the death of President Abraham Lincoln.

Epic

Definition: A long, narrative poem that recounts the heroic deeds and adventures of a central character, often involving grand themes of war, journey, or the divine. Epics are typically structured in a formal style.
Impact: Epics celebrate heroism and larger-than-life figures, conveying cultural values and moral lessons. They immerse readers in grand, often supernatural events, highlighting the resilience and virtues of the hero while reflecting societal ideals.
Example: The Iliad by Homer is a classic epic that recounts the heroism and struggles of warriors during the Trojan War.

Epigram

Definition: A brief, witty, and often satirical poem that conveys a single thought or observation. Epigrams are typically concise and use sharp language to make a memorable point.
Impact: Epigrams engage readers with humor or irony, often delivering profound or thought-provoking insights in a short, impactful form. They highlight the poet’s wit and provide commentary on human nature, society, or life’s paradoxes.
Example: “Little strokes / Fell great oaks,” by Benjamin Franklin. This epigram uses brevity to communicate the value of perseverance.

Quatrain

Definition: A stanza of four lines, often with a rhyme scheme such as ABAB, AABB, or ABCB. Quatrains are one of the most common stanza forms in poetry.
Impact: The quatrain provides structure and rhythm, allowing poets to explore a range of ideas or emotions within a compact, cohesive form. It creates a balanced, rhythmic feel, making it effective for narrative, descriptive, or lyrical poetry.
Example: William Blake’s The Tyger uses quatrains to build rhythm and develop its themes.

Couplet

Definition: A pair of consecutive lines that usually rhyme and have the same meter, often concluding a thought or idea. Couplets can stand alone or form part of a larger poem.
Impact: Couplets create a sense of resolution and closure, often emphasizing a key point or idea. They add rhythm and symmetry to a poem, making it more memorable and reinforcing its message.
Example: “Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow / That I shall say good night till it be morrow” (Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet). The couplet captures the bittersweetness of farewell.

Blank Verse

Definition: Unrhymed iambic pentameter, a meter commonly used in English poetry and drama. Each line typically has ten syllables, with a rhythm of alternating unstressed and stressed syllables.
Impact: Blank verse provides a formal, structured rhythm without rhyme, making it suitable for serious or dramatic themes. It allows for a natural flow of speech while maintaining a dignified tone, making it ideal for narrative or reflective poems.
Example: Much of Shakespeare’s Hamlet is written in blank verse, allowing a natural yet elevated expression of complex thoughts and emotions.

Closed Form

Definition: Poetry that follows a specific structure, meter, rhyme scheme, or stanza arrangement. Examples of closed forms include sonnets, villanelles, and haikus.
Impact: Closed forms provide constraints that can enhance creativity, as poets work within established structures to convey their ideas. This structure adds rhythm and predictability, often reinforcing themes and making poems more accessible and memorable.
Example: The Shakespearean sonnet, with its 14-line structure and specific rhyme scheme, is a well-known closed form that allows for focused expression of themes.

Free Verse

Definition: Poetry that lacks a consistent meter, rhyme scheme, or formal structure, allowing the poet more freedom of expression.
Impact: Free verse allows poets to break traditional constraints, resulting in a more conversational or organic flow. It is often used to capture complex emotions or ideas, with rhythm and line breaks guided by meaning and feeling rather than structure.
Example: Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass is famous for its use of free verse, capturing the poet’s unrestrained vision of individuality and democracy.

Aubade

Definition: A poem or song traditionally about dawn or morning, often expressing the speaker’s sorrow at parting from a lover with the coming of day.
Impact: Aubades evoke a bittersweet or melancholic tone, capturing the tension between love and separation. They often convey deep emotions associated with the passage of time, love’s transience, or the beauty of morning.
Example: John Donne’s The Sun Rising is an aubade in which the speaker addresses the morning sun, lamenting its interruption of his time with his lover.

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Metre

What is Meter?

Meter is the rhythmic structure of a poem, created by the arrangement of stressed (˘) and unstressed (/) syllables within a line. Meter gives poetry a musical quality, establishing rhythm, mood, and pace. Each line in a poem is typically made up of a specific number of metrical feet, which are repeated patterns of stressed and unstressed syllables. These feet form the foundation of the poem’s rhythm and contribute significantly to its overall tone and flow.

Why is Meter Important?
Meter is essential in poetry because it shapes how readers experience and interpret a poem. It can:

Create Emphasis: Certain words are naturally stressed within a meter, drawing attention to key themes or emotions.
Control Pace and Mood: Meters with shorter syllables (like iambs or anapests) create a flowing, fast-paced rhythm, while longer, stressed syllables (like spondees) slow the poem down, adding gravitas.
Reinforce Meaning: The meter can mirror the content of the poem, such as a lively, bouncy rhythm for joyous themes or a slow, heavy rhythm for solemn subjects.
Add Predictability and Structure: Regular meter provides structure, making poems easier to memorize and giving them a sense of order and cohesiveness.

Understanding Metrical Symbols: "(˘ ˘)", "(˘ /)", and "( / ˘)"

In poetry, metrical feet are often represented with symbols to indicate the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables:

˘ (Unstressed): A syllable that is softer or less emphasized in the rhythm.
/ (Stressed): A syllable that is emphasized or given more weight in the rhythm.

Here are some common patterns of metrical feet:

Iamb (˘ /): An unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable (e.g., "reSPECT").
Trochee (/ ˘): A stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable (e.g., "TAble").
Spondee (/ /): Two stressed syllables in succession (e.g., "HEARTBREAK").
Pyrrhic (˘ ˘): Two unstressed syllables in succession, often used sparingly (e.g., “in a” within a line).
Anapaest (˘ ˘ /): Two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable (e.g., "underSTAND").
Dactyl (/ ˘ ˘): A stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables (e.g., "BEAUtiful").

These symbols and feet are combined to form the meter of a line. For example, iambic pentameter (one of the most common meters in English poetry) consists of five iambs (˘ /) per line, as seen in Shakespeare’s sonnets.

How to Use These Symbols in Scansion

When analyzing the meter of a poem (a process known as scansion), you would mark each syllable of a line to reveal its rhythmic pattern. Here’s an example using iambic pentameter:

Line: “To be or not to be, that is the question.”
Scansion: ˘ / ˘ / ˘ / ˘ / ˘ /

Each iambic foot (˘ /) forms a repeated, rhythmic pattern across the line, helping to establish a natural, flowing meter that emphasizes certain words over others.

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Scansion

Definition: The process of analyzing a poem’s meter by marking its stressed and unstressed syllables, usually indicated with symbols (˘ for unstressed and / for stressed).
Impact: Scansion helps readers understand the poem’s rhythm, highlighting patterns and variations that contribute to tone and emphasis. It’s a tool for exploring how meter affects meaning and mood.
Example: In the line “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” (Shakespeare), scansion reveals an iambic pentameter pattern: u / u / u / u / u /.

Falling Meter

Definition: A meter in which stressed syllables are followed by unstressed syllables, giving the lines a descending rhythm. Common falling meters include trochaic and dactylic meters.
Impact: Falling meter creates a sense of closure or calm, often giving the poem a softer, more subdued tone. It may also reflect resignation or melancholy.
Example: In the line “Once upon a midnight dreary” (Edgar Allan Poe), the trochaic meter creates a descending, eerie rhythm.

Disyllables

Definition: Metrical feet with two syllables, including patterns such as iambs, trochees, spondees, and pyrrhics.
Impact: Disyllabic feet create the basic building blocks of many meters, establishing rhythmic structure in lines of poetry.
Example: “To be or not to be” uses iambs (u /) to create a rhythmic pattern.

Pyrrhic (˘ ˘)

Definition: A metrical foot with two unstressed syllables, often rare and found within other patterns rather than as a dominant meter.
Impact: Pyrrhic feet create a light, subtle rhythm, typically used in combination with other feet to vary a poem’s tempo and add complexity to its rhythm.
Example: In “To a green thought in a green shade” (Andrew Marvell), “in a” may be read as a pyrrhic, adding softness to the line.

Iamb (˘ /)

Definition: A metrical foot with an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable, the most common foot in English poetry.
Impact: Iambic meter creates a natural, flowing rhythm often resembling normal speech, making it suitable for a range of tones from conversational to formal.
Example: “The world is too much with us” (William Wordsworth) uses iambic pentameter, creating a steady, natural rhythm.

Trochee (/ ˘)

Definition: A metrical foot with a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable, creating a falling rhythm.
Impact: Trochaic meter often produces an assertive or rhythmic quality, giving the poem a strong, direct feel.
Example: “Tyger Tyger, burning bright” (William Blake) uses trochees to add intensity and a pulsing rhythm.

Spondee (/ /)

Definition: A metrical foot with two stressed syllables, often used to add weight or emphasis within a line.
Impact: Spondees interrupt the regular meter, emphasizing particular words or ideas, adding gravity and intensity to the rhythm.
Example: “Rage, rage against the dying of the light” (Dylan Thomas) uses spondees to create a forceful, urgent tone.

Trisyllables

Definition: Metrical feet with three syllables, including patterns such as dactyls, anapests, and amphibrachs.
Impact: Trisyllabic feet add variety and complexity to the meter, allowing for more intricate rhythms that can convey lightness, playfulness, or intensity.
Example: “And the sound of a voice that is still” (Alfred, Lord Tennyson) may contain trisyllabic patterns, creating a lilting flow.

Tribrach (˘ ˘ ˘)

Definition: A metrical foot with three unstressed syllables, rarely found in English poetry as a dominant pattern.
Impact: Tribrachs create a light, quick rhythm, often used for variation rather than as a primary meter. They can add a softer or more subtle rhythm within a line.
Example: This is typically only found within specific rhythmic combinations rather than as a dominant pattern.

Dactyl (/ ˘ ˘)

Definition: A metrical foot with a stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables, creating a falling rhythm.
Impact: Dactyls add a rolling, energetic rhythm that can evoke movement, grandeur, or emotion in a poem.
Example: “Half a league, half a league, / Half a league onward” (Alfred, Lord Tennyson, The Charge of the Light Brigade). The dactylic rhythm emphasizes the forward march.

Amphibrach (˘ / ˘)

Definition: A metrical foot with an unstressed syllable, a stressed syllable, and another unstressed syllable.
Impact: Amphibrachs create a balanced, almost musical rhythm, often adding a gentle or flowing quality to a line.
Example: “The twelve days of Christmas,” where “of Christ-” is an example of an amphibrach.

Anapaest (˘ ˘ /)

Definition: A metrical foot with two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable, creating a rising rhythm.
Impact: Anapests introduce a light, bouncy rhythm that can convey excitement, urgency, or movement, often adding momentum to the poem.
Example: “And the sound of a voice that is still” uses anapests to build rhythm and anticipation.

Bacchius (˘ / /)

Definition: A metrical foot with one unstressed syllable followed by two stressed syllables, creating a strong, emphatic rhythm.
Impact: Bacchius adds intensity and emphasis to a line, often highlighting important ideas or emotions.
Example: “This is true,” with “is true” read as a bacchius, can add emphasis to a strong statement.

Antibacchius (/ / ˘)

Definition: A metrical foot with two stressed syllables followed by one unstressed syllable.
Impact: Antibacchius places emphasis at the beginning, creating a forceful start that tapers off, often signaling a descent in tone or rhythm.
Example: This pattern is rare but may appear as a variation within other metrical patterns.

Cretic (/ ˘ /)

Definition: A metrical foot with a stressed syllable, an unstressed syllable, and another stressed syllable, creating a balanced rhythm.
Impact: Cretics add emphasis and rhythm to key phrases, creating a sense of balance and resolution within a line.
Example: “To be loved,” where “be loved” is a cretic, creates a balanced and impactful rhythm.

Molossus (/ / /)

Definition: A metrical foot with three stressed syllables, often rare in English poetry.
Impact: Molossus feet add intense emphasis, creating a forceful rhythm that can highlight a moment of great importance or urgency.
Example: “Fight, fight, fight!” uses a molossus to convey a strong, emphatic message.

Metric Variations

Definition: Intentional changes in a poem’s established meter to add emphasis, variety, or surprise.
Impact: Metric variations break up predictable rhythms, adding interest and focusing attention on specific words or ideas. They often reflect changes in tone or mood.
Example: A line in iambic pentameter with a spondee may stand out, adding intensity.

Inversion of Feet

Definition: The reversal of the expected order of stressed and unstressed syllables within a line, also called a metrical substitution.
Impact: Inversion adds variation and can emphasize particular words, breaking up the rhythm to create surprise or draw attention to a shift in tone.
Example: “Not for the world would I leave” inverts the iambic pattern to start with emphasis.

Headless Verse (Acephalous Line)

Definition: A line of poetry with the initial syllable missing, creating a shortened or irregular rhythm.
Impact: Headless verse disrupts the expected meter, often adding a sense of urgency or incompleteness to the line.
Example: “—Came the thunderstorm” may begin with an implied missing syllable, adding drama.

Catalectic

Definition: A line of verse that is metrically incomplete, often missing one or more syllables at the end.
Impact: Catalectic lines create tension or abruptness, leaving an impression of incompleteness that may reflect the poem’s themes.
Example: “The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,” can be read as catalectic, creating an open-ended feel.

Elision

Definition: The omission of a vowel or syllable to maintain meter, often marked with an apostrophe.
Impact: Elision helps maintain rhythmic flow, fitting words within the meter without sacrificing meaning, often adding a more conversational or fluid quality.
Example: “O’er the hills” instead of “Over the hills” compresses the line to fit the meter.

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