Poetry Terms

Personification

A description of an object, an animal, or an idea as if it was human.

Term What it is Example

"Ah, William, we're weary of weather," said the sunflowers, shining with dew. "Our traveling habits have tired us. Can you give us a room with a view?

Metaphor A comparison between two unlike things that does not include the word like or as.

Hint: When you see the word is

Term What it is Example

John is a real pig when he eats.

America is a melting pot.

Literal The exact meaning of a word or phrase.

Term What it is Example

Home: a house, apartment, or other shelter that is the usual residence of a person, family, or household.

Figurative Language used in a nonliteral way to express a relationship between unlike things.

Term What it is Example

Simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole

“Her smile was a rainbow.”

Alliteration The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.

Term What it is Example

I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet

From: “Acquainted with the Night” by Robert Frost

Hyperbole An exaggeration

Term What it is Example

I am so hungry I could eat a horse.

Onomatopoeia

The use of words whose sounds echo their meanings, such as buzz.

Term What it is Example

Stanza A group of two or more lines that form a unit in a poem.

Term What it is Example

Last Night I Dreamed of Chickens by Jack Prelutsky

Last night I dreamed of chickens,there were chickens everywhere,they were standing on my stomach,they were nesting in my hair,they were pecking at my pillow,they were hopping on my head,they were ruffling up their feathersas they raced about my bed.

They were on the chairs and tables,they were on the chandeliers,they were roosting in the corners,they were clucking in my ears,there were chickens, chickens, chickensfor as far as I could see...when I woke today, I noticedthere were eggs on top of me.

Implicit textual evidence

Indirect (not stated outright) information in a poem that helps you understand the meaning.

Term What it is Example

From: “i carry your heart with me” by e.e. cummings

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart) i am never without it (anywhere i go you go, my dear.)

Based on the poem, what do you think the author is really trying to say?

Explicit textual evidence

Clear, openly stated information in a poem that tells you the meaning.

Term What it is Example

This Is Just To Say by William Carlos Williams

I have eatenthe plumsthat were inthe icebox

and whichyou were probablysaving for breakfast

Forgive methey were deliciousso sweetand so cold

Rhyme The repetition of sounds at the ends of words.

Term What it is Example

Dreams By Langston Hughes

Hold fast to dreamsFor if dreams dieLife is a broken-winged birdThat cannot fly.Hold fast to dreamsFor when dreams goLife is a barren fieldFrozen with snow.

Repetition The use of a word, phrase, sound, or line more than once.

Term What it is Example

By e. e. cummings

(will you teach a wretch to live straighter than a needle) ask

her ask when

(ask and ask and ask again and)ask a brittle little person fiddling in the rain

Simile A comparison between two unlike things that includes the word like or as.

Term What it is Example

Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore--

And then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over-- like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags like a heavy load.Or does it explode?

Connotation A connection that a word or phrase makes you think of.

Term What it is Example

“Home” can make you think of family, warmth, comfort, etc.

Setting Where and when a story/poem takes place.

Term What it is Example

The day, season, place, room, time, year, etc.

Harry Potter:Where: Hogwarts Castle, EnglandWhen: present day

Theme The underlying message of the poem. The message the author wants you to get.

Term What it is Example

Love, patriotism, regret, overcoming obstacles, believing in yourself, etc.