Poetry Elements

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Lines

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The basic structural component of a poem, consisting of a sequence of words.

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Persona

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The voice or character speaking in a poem, not necessarily the author.

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Stanzas

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Grouped sets of lines within a poem, often sharing a common rhyme scheme or rhythm.

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End Rhyme

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The repetition of similar sounding words occurring at the end of lines in poems or songs.

The music’s pumpin’

I start jumpin’

(Maya Liparini)

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Rhythm

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

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Pace

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The speed at which a poem is read, influenced by the length of lines and pauses.

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Metaphor

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A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'.

The moon was a ghostly galleon (Alfred Noyes)

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Simile

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A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things using 'like' or 'as'.

The hard gust of wind came brutal like the blow of a fist. (Conrad)

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Personification

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A figure of speech where human qualities are given to animals, objects, or ideas.

The beams of light skipped on the crest of waves.

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Visual Imagery

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Descriptive language that creates a picture in the reader's mind.