Elements of Poetry, Play, and Prose

Group of lines that are together in a poem.

• line

• sentence

• paragraph

• stanza

The number of syllables in a line and how they are accented creates the poem's beat or rhythm.

• stanza

• rhyme

• meter

• repetition

Pairs of words that have the same ending sounds. Some poems have lines that end with these, while others don't.

• meter

• rhyme

• rhythm

• repetition

This means words or phrases are repeated. Repeated phrase is called a refrain.

• meter

• rhyme

• repetition

• stanza

What is poetry?

• A play written with scenes and acts. Dialogue is not placed in quotation marks but instead with a script. Stage directions provide information about how characters should act.

• Expressive writing written with lines and stanzas. May contain rhyme and repetition.

• Ordinary writing written with sentences and paragraphs. Dialogue can be placed in quotation marks. Written to entertain, inform or persuade.

What is prose?

• A play written with scenes and acts. Dialogue is not placed in quotation marks but instead with a script. Stage directions provide information about how characters should act.

• Ordinary writing written with sentences and paragraphs. Dialogue can be placed in quotation marks. Written to entertain, inform or persuade.

• Expressive writing written with lines and stanzas. May contain rhyme and repetition.

How can you tell if a story is prose or poetry?

• Poetry sound different because it rhymes.

• Poetry looks different on paper.

• Poetry doesn’t tell stories.

• Poetry is a lot shorter than prose.

Which of the following is NOT a structural element of poetry? (a)  

• Written in stanzas

• Follows all the correct grammar rules

• Uses words for their sound

• Can have rhythm and meter

One line of words in a poem.

• stanza

• line

• sentence

• phrase

Nursery Rhymes are an example of:

• Poetry

• Prose

• Drama