Elements of Poetry
Exploring the patterns created by
the formal elements of literature
helps us to understand more
deeply a text’s meaning and the
nuances that enrich that meaning.
Why?
This kind of formal close reading of
the text is fundamental to any
analysis of literature.
Alliteration
Two or more words which have the same initial sound. Example: Pretty princess
Analogy
A comparison that assumes that two objects or events that are alike in one respect
will be alike in another. Example: “MTV is to music as KFC is to chicken”
Assonance
A partial rhyme which has the same internal vowel sounds amongst different words.
Example: The tundra left the man hungry for buns
Metaphor
A comparison which does not use the words like or as. Example: Life is a journey.
Onomatopoeia
Words that sound like their meaning. Example: buzz, moo, pow.
Repetitions
The repetition of the same word throughout the poem to emphasize significance.
Rhyme
The repetition of sounds within different words, either end sound, middle or
beginning. Example: loose goose.
Rhyme
The repetition of sounds within different words, either end sound, middle or
beginning. Example: loose goose.
Rhythm
The flow of words within each meter and stanza. Example: Iambic pentameter.
Simile
A comparison using the words like or as. Example: Life is like a box of chocolates.
Style
The way the poem is written. Free-style, ballad, haiku, etc. Includes length of
meters, number of stanzas along with rhyme techniques and rhythm.
Symbol
Something that represents something else through association, resemblance or
convention
Theme
The message, point of view and idea of the poem.
Introducing...
DRIFT
D iction
hyme and Rhythm
R
magery
I
orm
F
one/Voice
T
D iction
R
I
F
T
An author’s choice of words. In
good writing words are not chosen
lightly but are carefully selected for
their impact, including subtle
connotations.
Toboggan Hill by Gordon Downie
I’m thinking back to when we were young
and eating donuts
with a set of plastic vampire teeth
that we were passing back and forth.
We weren’t so young as to
think a dog was a horse.
Nor were we old enough yet to name
the cold purpose of musical chairs.
We were like-minded spirits
ekeing out a rhythm
whispering transmissions
through wet woollen mittens.
Growing up on a toboggan hill
nothing was material.
I’m thinking back to when we were young
if only to find out
forensically
what it was
we used to
want.
Toboggan Hill by Gordon Downie
I’m thinking back to when we were young
and eating donuts
with a set of plastic vampire teeth
that we were passing back and forth.
We weren’t so young as to
think a dog was a horse.
Nor were we old enough yet to name
the cold purpose of musical chairs.
We were like-minded spirits
ekeing out a rhythm
whispering transmissions
through wet woollen mittens.
Growing up on a toboggan hill
nothing was material.
I’m thinking back to when we were young
if only to find out
forensically
what it was
we used to
want.
Each pair/group will use the poems
you brought to class today.
Analyze and discuss the voices and
diction and write a thesis to show
the main differences between your
selections to share and discuss.
D
hyme and Rhythm
R
I
F
T
Rhyme is the author’s use of words
with similar or identical sounds.
Rhythm is the author’s control of
the flow of sound. This can be
achieved through the use of
punctuation, line lengths and
breaks, syllables, diction, etc.
Rhyme is used very often in poetry
but it’s never quite as obvious as...
This example is called True Rhyme. The
matching sounds are identical which
makes this the easiest rhyme to spot.
Slant Rhyme (or half rhyme) is
where the sounds are similar but
not identical.
Example:
I sat in the dark
nursing my broken heart.
Eye Rhyme (or sight rhyme) is
where the last syllables look alike
but sound different.
Example:
have and grave
Internal Rhyme links two or more
rhyming words within the same
line.
Ie. “The bird heard the word of Mr.
Graham”
Double Rhyme is a two-syllable
rhyme as in “running” and
“sunning”
A Rhyme Scheme is a recurring
pattern of rhymed endings
repeated regularly in each stanza.
Examples: ABAB, AABB, ABBA, etc.
D
R
magery
I
F
T
Descriptive or figurative language used
to create word pictures for the reader
that can be perceived by any of the
five senses.
The Red Wheelbarrow by William Carlos Williams
so much depends
upon
a red wheel
barrow
glazed with rain
water
beside the white
chickens.
This Is a Photograph of Me by Margaret Atwood
It was taken some time ago.
At first it seems to be
a smeared
print: blurred lines and grey flecks
blended with the paper;
then, as you scan
it, you see in the left-hand corner
a thing that is like a branch: part of a tree
(balsam or spruce) emerging
and, to the right, halfway up
what ought to be a gentle
slope, a small frame house.
In the background there is a lake,
and beyond that, some low hills.
(The photograph was taken
the day after I drowned.
I am in the lake, in the centre
of the picture, just under the surface.
It is difficult to say where
precisely, or to say
how large or small I am:
the effect of water
on light is a distortion
but if you look long enough,
eventually
you will be able to see me.)
D
R
I
orm
F
T
Poetry can take many different
forms. Each for comes with its own
unique rules and limitations that
can affect numerous elements.
Examples: Sonnet, Free Verse,
Blank Verse, Haiku, etc.
D
R
I
F
one/Voice
T
A writer’s attitude and approach
towards his/her subject and/or
audience. This attitude can best be
discovered through the choice of
diction which collectively reveals
the tone.
I don’t want to
because boys
don’t write poetry.
Girls do.
- Sharon Creech from Love That Dog