Poetry Terms

A traditional or proverbial saying

A story in which the characters and events extend beyond the confines of their story to represent an object lesson to readers.

The repetition of a consonant sound.

The repetition of vowel sounds.

Describes how a poem appeals to our sense of sound, hearing.

A metaphor that is usually ingenious or elaborate.

A poem that is "dramatic" because it is a speech presented to an audience (usually of only one person) and a "monologue" because no other character does any talking.

A poem written to commemorate the death of a person who played a significant role in the poet's life.

An epic in its most specific sense is a genre of classical poetry. It is a poem that is a long narrative about a serious subject, told in an elevated style of language, focused on the exploits of a hero or demi-god who represents the cultural values of a race, nation, or religious group.

A change, sudden insight, or awareness revealed to the main character.