1. Structure: Formal poems often have a consistent structure throughout, such as a specific number of lines, stanzas, or a specific rhyme scheme.
2. Meter: Formal poems usually employ meter, which refers to a consistent rhythm or pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables. Common meter patterns include iambic pentameter (five pairs of stressed and unstressed syllables) and dactylic hexameter (six pairs of stressed and unstressed syllables).
3. Rhyme: While not a requirement, many formal poems incorporate rhyme, often following specific rhyme schemes or patterns, such as ABAB or ABBA.
4. Figurative language: Formal poems often employ figurative language, including similes, metaphors, personification, and alliteration, to enhance their expressiveness and imagery.
5. Elevated diction: Formal poems frequently utilize sophisticated and ornate language, including complex vocabulary, allusions, and references to classical literature and history.
6. Tone and style: Formal poems typically convey a serious and elevated tone, addressing themes of love, loss, nature, and human emotions in a sophisticated and polished manner.
7. Length: Formal poems can vary in length, from a single stanza to multiple stanzas or even a sonnet (usually consisting of 14 lines). However, they tend to be longer and more elaborate compared to informal or free-verse poems.
8. Traditional forms: Many formal poems follow established traditional poetic forms, such as sonnets, ballads, odes, elegies, and haikus, each with its own set of structural and thematic conventions.
9. Poet's intent: Consider the poet's intention and the context in which the poem was written. Formal poems often show careful craftsmanship, attention to detail, and an adherence to poetic traditions and conventions.
Remember that these characteristics may vary across different types of formal poems, and not all formal poems exhibit all these features. However, if a poem displays several of these elements, it is likely to be considered formal or structured.