Poetry Glossary

"Discover the language of poetry, from alliteration to zeugma."

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Term Definition Example
ScansionThe action of scanning a line of verse to determine its rhythm.A teacher might ask students to perform scansion on a sonnet to identify its meter.
SestetA six-line stanza or the last six lines of a Petrarchan sonnet."When I have fears that I may cease to be Before my pen has gleaned my teeming brain."
SimileA figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, used to make a description more emphatic or vivid.As brave as a lion.
SonnetA poem of fourteen lines using any of a number of formal rhyme schemes, typically having ten syllables per line.Shakespearean sonnets are famous for their iambic pentameter.
SpondeeA metrical foot consisting of two stressed syllables."Faithful" is an example of a spondee.
StanzaA group of lines forming the basic recurring metrical unit in a poem; a verse.A sonnet has 14 lines divided into three stanzas and a couplet.
StanzaA grouped set of lines in a poem, usually separated by a blank line or indentation.A poem might have several stanzas, each with a different mood.
SymbolismThe use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.A red rose often symbolizes love or romance.
SynecdocheA figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa."All hands on deck" where "hands" refers to sailors.
TableauA vivid or graphic description of a scene, often used in poetry to create a striking mental image.The poet’s tableau of the battlefield brought the horrors of war to life.

Our comprehensive Poetry Glossary, designed for students, teachers, and poetry enthusiasts alike. Whether you're delving into poetic forms, exploring rhyme schemes, or understanding the nuances of metrical feet, our glossary is an essential resource to enhance your study of poetry.

Our glossary covers a wide range of poetry terms, from alliteration, the repetition of initial consonant sounds, to the structure of free verse, which flows without a fixed metrical pattern. Learn about how stressed and unstressed syllables form the foundation of metrical feet, or explore how a rhyme scheme organizes the pattern of sounds at the end of lines in a poem.

Use the search function to quickly find terms like group of lines in a stanza or the repetition of sounds in a poem or section. Whether you're looking to understand how a series of words creates rhythmic patterns or how the number of syllables affects the flow of a line of poetry, our glossary has the definitions and examples you need.

How to Use the Poetry Glossary

To find a term, use the search bar at the top of the glossary page. Start typing the word or phrase you’re looking for, and relevant entries will appear. Each entry includes a definition, examples, and additional notes for context.

Each entry in the glossary includes a clear definition of the term, followed by an example or explanation. For instance, the term "iambic pentameter" is defined as a metrical line of ten syllables, alternating between unstressed and stressed syllables. This pattern is common in English poetry, particularly in sonnets by poets like Shakespeare.

For terms that might be unfamiliar, example sentences or famous lines of poetry are included to illustrate usage. For example, a “narrative poem” might include an excerpt from a classic work, showing how it tells a story through verse, unlike shorter lyrical poems.

The glossary includes various types of poetic terms, such as rhyme schemes like "abab cdcd efef gg" or "abba abba", and poetic forms like the Shakespearean (or English) sonnet and the Petrarchan (or Italian) sonnet. Each entry provides an accessible definition to help deepen your understanding of poetry.

Type "sonnet" into the search bar to find entries on both Shakespearean (or English) and Petrarchan (or Italian) sonnets. The glossary provides details on their rhyme schemes, structures, and famous examples, helping you distinguish between different types of sonnets.