Elements of Poetry

1. Stanzas Lines Rhythm Rhyme Repetition Rhyme Scheme

Alliteration Onomatopoeia Imagery
2. Form a poems shape the way the words and lines are laid out on the
page. Stanzas a group lines in a poem (like a paragraph) Each stanza is a
separate emotion or idea Each contribute to the overall meaning of poem Lines
the main unit in a poem May or may not be a complete sentence Varies in
length
3. Conventional/Traditional forms Fixed rules such as a set number of lines
or a repeating pattern of rhythm or rhyme Examples: limericks and haikus Free
Verse open form o Has rhythm like everyday speech o Does not have a regular
rhyme pattern Graphical Elements- help convey meaning o Include position,
appearance of words, capital letters, lines and stanzas on a page.
4. There are many different types of poetry just as there are many different types
of fiction.
5. tells a story contains characters, setting, conflict, and 5 stages of plot.
Written in stanzas, contains rhythm, rhyme, imagery and figurative language Has
a recognizable rhyme scheme For example: The Walrus and the Carpenter by
Lewis Carrol
6. Limericks: A short poem made up of 5 lines Rhyme scheme (pattern of
rhyme): aabba has a sing-song rhythm There was an old man with a beard, a Who
said, It is just as I feared!- a Two Owls and a Hen, b Four Larks and a Wren, b Have
all built their nest in my beard! a
7. Contains 17 syllables arranged in 3 lines, syllable pattern per line 5, 7,5
Creates a clear picture evoking a strong emotional response Nature is a
common topic of haikus Example: Winter solitude (5 syllables) in a world of one
color (7 syllables) the sound of the wind. (5 syllables) Bosho
8. Contains not regular pattern for rhythm or rhyme Used to capture sound
and rhythm of regular speech Example: On Turning Ten by Billy Collins This is
the beginning of sadness, I say to myself, as I walk through the universe in my
sneakers, It is time to say goodbye to my imaginary friends, time to turn the first big
number.
9. Lets look at this stanza of the poem. Identify the type of figurative
language used. Which senses are being appealed to? The summer still hangs
heavy and sweet with sunlight as it did last year. Personification: summer hangs
Simile: as it did last year Touch: heavy Taste: sweet Sight: sunlight

10. The autumn still comes showering gold and crimson as it did last year.
Personification: showering Simile: as it did last year Sight: gold and crimson
11. The winter still stings cold and clean and white as it did last year.
Personification: Still stings Simile: as it did last year Touch: stings, cold Sight: white
12. The spring still comes like a whisper in the dark night. Personification: Spring
still comes Simile: Like a whisper Onomatopoeia: whisper Sound: whisper Sight:
dark night