What is poetry?

Definition

Poetry, also called verse, is a form of literature that uses aesthetic and often rhythmic qualities of language − such as phonaesthetics, sound symbolism, and meter − to evoke meanings in abstract ways, as opposed to, a more direct approach.

• Figurative language (metaphor, simile, personification)

• Imagery (word choice that creates vivid mental pictures)

• Sound devices (rhyme, rhythm, alliteration)

• Conciseness of language (fewer words, higher impact)

Key Characteristics

Characteristics of Poetry

• Haiku: Japanese origin, 3 lines, 17 syllables, nature scenes/ reflection

• Sonnet: 14 lines, often written in iambic pentameter, various rhymes.

• Free Verse: Does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter.

• Other types: Ballad, Elegy, Epic, Limerick, Ode, Villanelle

Featured types of poetry

Types of Poetry

• Stanza: A group of lines in a poem, similar to paragraph in prose.

• Line: A single row of words in a poem

• Rhyme: The repetition of similar sounds at the end of words.

• Rhythm: The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry.

Essential Elements

Elements of Poetry