Poetry Terms

The speaker in poetry is defined as...

• a type of figurative language in which two things are being compared without using "like" or "as".

• the narrator of a poem. The poem is told from the perspective of the speaker.

• a figure of speech in which animals, ideas, or objects are given human qualities.

• the central meaning or dominant message the poet is trying to deliver to the reader.

Central idea is defined as...

• a word that sounds like what it means, like "buzz," "click," or "bang."

• a brief reference to a real or fictional person, event, place, or work of art.

• the central meaning or dominant message the poet is trying to deliver to the reader; also known as theme.

• descriptive words and phrases that appeal to any of the five senses; often creates an image in the reader's mind.

Imagery can be defined as...

• when words have the same or similar sounds.

• when an object or action means something more than its literal meaning. Ex: A flag represents patriotism. A dove symbolizes peace.

• descriptive words or phrases that appeal to any of the five senses or any combination of senses; often creates an image or idea in the reader’s mind.

• the measured arrangement of sounds/beats in a poem, including the poet’s placement of emphasis and the number of syllables per line.

Personification is...

• a type of figurative language which endows animals, ideas, or inanimate objects with human traits or characteristics.

• a unified group of lines in poetry, often marked by the spacing between sections of a poem.

• The central meaning or dominant message the poet is trying to deliver to the reader.

• A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things without using connecting words, such as “like” or “as.” It says one thing is the other thing. Ex: Love is a battlefield.

Tone is...

• A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things without using connecting words, such as “like” or “as.” It says one thing is the other thing. Ex: Love is a battlefield.

• The measured arrangement of sounds/beats in a poem, including the poet’s placement of emphasis and the number of syllables per line.

• A brief reference to a real or fictional person, event, place, or work of art.

• The author’s attitude toward a subject, created by the author’s specific word choices and poetic structure. Ex: positive, negative, awestruck, encouraging, etc.

A metaphor is...

• The author’s attitude toward a subject, created by the author’s specific word choices and poetic structure. Ex: positive, negative, awestruck, encouraging, etc.

• A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things without using connecting words, such as “like” or “as.” It says one thing is the other thing. Ex: Love is a battlefield.

• A poem is told from the perspective of a speaker. The narrator of a poem is called the speaker.

• The measured arrangement of sounds/beats in a poem, including the poet’s placement of emphasis and the number of syllables per line.

A simile can be defined as...

• The measured arrangement of sounds/beats in a poem, including the poet’s placement of emphasis and the number of syllables per line.

• The author’s attitude toward a subject, created by the author’s specific word choices and poetic structure. Ex: positive, negative, awestruck, encouraging, etc.

• when an object represents a larger idea or concept; ex: a dove represents peace.

• None of the above.

Let's try this again! A simile can be defined as...

• A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things using connecting words, such as “like” or “as.” Ex: My grandpa is as old as dirt. My girlfriend is like a beautiful flower.

• When words have the same or similar sounds.

• Descriptive words or phrases that appeal to any of the five senses or any combination of senses; often creates an image or idea in the reader’s mind.

• When an object or action means something more than its literal meaning. Ex: A flag represents patriotism. A dove symbolizes peace.

Figurative language is defined as...

• language that is not meant to be taken literally.

• language that is meant to create an emotional effect in readers and to make them ask questions.

• Options 1 and 2 are both correct.

• None of the above.

Symbolism is...

• when words, lines, phrases, or even entire stanzas are repeated in a poem; it is used to draw attention to the words that are repeated and to make readers ask why they might be important or emphasized.

• a brief reference to a real or fictional person, event, place, or work of art.

• the measured arrangement of sounds/beats in a poem, including the poet’s placement of emphasis and the number of syllables per line.

• When an object or action means something more than its literal meaning. Ex: A flag represents patriotism. A dove symbolizes peace.