Poetry

• Fixed Form Poetry

  • Written using a fixed structure or pattern
  • Has a consistent rhyming pattern
  • Has stanzas and a metrical pattern
  • Length of stanzas and rhyme scheme is consistent
• Free Verse

  • Written without any fixed form or rhyme
  • Mimics natural pattern of speech
  • May or may not have stanzas
  • The length of stanzas might vary
  • Some words may rhyme, but there is no pattern
• Advantages of Fixed Form Poetry

  • Structure forces poet to think deeply about word choice
  • Requires more poetic discipline
  • Rhyme makes poem more memorable
• Disadvantages of Fixed Form Poetry

  • Can limit free expression
  • May sound unnatural- not like spoken language
  • Rhythm might become dull and repetitive
• Advantages of Free Verse Poetry

  • Mimics speech, more natural
  • More poetic freedom
  • Poet can change up the rhythm to avoid becoming boring
• Disadvantages of Free Verse Poetry

  • Audience may find it difficult to find any rhythm at all
  • Danger of being too disorganized or unstructured for the reader to follow or enjoy
• Effects of Similes and Metaphors on the Reader

  1. Allow the writer to convey vivid imagery which goes beyond the level of the literal meaning, creating images which are easier for the reader to respond to than literal language

  2. Activates the reader's imagination, as the writer is able to convey more emotions through similes or metaphors

  3. Can help convey the tone and implied mood of the poem

  4. Makes the writing more memorable, colorful, and interesting; can have the effect of making the reader see something in a new light
• Effects of Personification on the Reader

  1. Makes descriptions of non-human entities seem more vivid

  2. Can help readers respond emotionally to non-human objects/characters

  3. Makes the writing more colourful, entertaining or memorable

  4. Can bring out the tone and mood more strongly, boost the reader's emotional reaction and sensitivity to the piece
• Effects of Hyperbole on the Reader

  1. Grabs the attention of the reader through exaggerated word choice

  2. Emphasizes or highlights a specific emotion or situation

  3. Can be used to more strongly show the tone and implied mood

  4. Can sometimes have a humorous or ironic effect (example: sarcastically exaggerating the amount of homework you have)
• Effects of imagery and symbolism on the reader

  1. Imagery can convey the tone and mood of a poem/story

  2. It aids the reader in visualizin
• Alliteration


  • Can create a sense of rhythm and musicality to the poem
• Onomatopoeia


  • Can be used to add humor to a poem or to build the use of auditory imagery
• Effects of imagery and symbolism on the reader

  • Imagery can convey the tone and mood of a poem/story
  • It aids the reader in visualizing or picturing what is happening more clearly
  • Symbolism and imagery can be used to more powerfully convey the theme/message of the text
• What is Parallelism

  The repeated use of phrases, clauses or sentences that are similar in structure or meaning
• Effect of Parallelism

  • Creates rhythm
  • Makes writing more forceful and direct
  • Makes the message or point more memorable and powerful
• What is Antithesis?

  The use of contrasting concepts, words, or sentences within parallel grammatical structures. It uses a balanced structure with opposite ideas/words serves to highlight the contrast between them
• Juxtaposition


  A literary device used to create deliberate differences for the reader to compare and contrast. A more general term than antithesis- can be used for any contradicting ideas, regardless of the grammatical structure. Antithesis is a specific type of juxtaposition, involving clear and strong opposites (not just contrasting ideas)
• Antithesis & Juxtaposition

  • Emphasizes contrast
  • Highlights conflict
  • Able to convey the message more forcefully by putting it along with the opposite idea
• Repetition


  • Emphasizes important ideas
  • Able to convey the message more forcefully by repeating it
  • Creates a sense of musicality and rhythm
• Allusion


  • Gives a deeper meaning by referring to a text the audience is already familiar with (for example, making an allusion to the Bible or a famous literary work)
  • Gives a greater historical significance/context (for example, a poem about racism in America today may make an allusion to To Kill a Mockingbird as a way to remind readers of the long history of racism in the country)
  • Shows the complex relationships that exist between different literary texts and how they can sometimes influence each other (this concept is called intertextuality in literature)