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.
Use the search function to quickly find specific terms, or browse through the entire glossary to enhance your understanding of poetic devices and literary terms.
| Term | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Refrain | A repeated line or number of lines in a poem or song, typically at the end of each verse. | The refrain of the poem emphasized its central theme. |
| Refrain | A repeated line or group of lines in a poem or song, typically at the end of each verse. | "The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep." |
| Rhetorical Question | A question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to get an answer. | "Isn't it a bit late to be doing that now?" |
| Rhyme | Correspondence of sound between words or the endings of words, especially when these are used at the ends of lines of poetry. | Twinkle, twinkle, little star, / How I wonder what you are. |
| Rondeau | A lyrical poem of French origin, typically 13 lines long with two rhymes and a refrain. | The rondeau was a popular form in medieval French poetry. |