Explore our comprehensive glossary of poetry terms. Whether you're a student, teacher, or poetry enthusiast, our glossary will help you understand key concepts, definitions, and examples that are essential in the study of poetry.
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| Term | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Narrative Poetry | A form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. | The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe |
| Neoclassical Poetry | A style of poetry from the 18th century that is characterized by its adherence to classical forms and ideals, such as order, logic, and restraint. | The works of Alexander Pope, such as The Rape of the Lock. |
| Nonet | A nine-line poem that starts with nine syllables in the first line and reduces by one syllable with each subsequent line, ending with a one-syllable line. | A Nonet poem structure (no widely known examples as it’s a form rather than a popular genre) |
| Nonsense Verse | A type of light, humorous poetry that plays with absurdity and often uses made-up words or strange concepts. | Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll |
| Nostalgia | A tone or mood that reflects a longing for the past, often idealized or romanticized in poetry. | I Remember, I Remember by Thomas Hood |
| Novelinee | A poetic form composed of nine lines, typically with a specific rhyme scheme such as ABABCDCDE. | Any poem written in the Novelinee form, though it is a lesser-known structure. |
| Nursery Rhyme | A traditional poem or song for young children in Britain and many other countries, often featuring rhyming verses and simple, repetitive language. | Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. |