Poetry Terms and Definitions

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What is a rhyme scheme?

Back

A pattern of rhymes at the end of each line of a poem, often described using letters to represent sounds.

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What is the effect of using a rhyme scheme in poetry?

Back

To create a musical quality.

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What is rhythm in poetry?

Back

The pattern of sounds and silences in a poem, often created by the arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables.

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What is iambic pentameter?

Back

A type of meter in poetry that consists of five iambs (an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable) per line.

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What is hyperbole?

Back

An exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally, used for emphasis.

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What is alliteration?

Back

The repetition of the same initial consonant sounds in a sequence of words.

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What is enjambment?

Back

The continuation of a sentence or clause across a line break in poetry.

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What is a metaphor?

Back

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

Front

What is a simile?

Back

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things using 'like' or 'as'.

Front

What is personification?

Back

A literary device where human qualities are attributed to non-human things.