1. Form
* Traditional Forms:
* Sonnet: 14 lines, specific rhyme scheme and meter (iambic pentameter).
* Haiku: Three lines, 5-7-5 syllable structure, often about nature.
* Villanelle: 19 lines, repeating refrains and rhymes.
* Ode: A lyric poem in praise of something or someone.
* Ballad: Narrative poem, often with a strong rhythm and rhyme.
* Free Verse: No set rhyme or meter, emphasizing natural speech.
* Open Forms:
* Free Verse: Allows freedom of form and structure.
* Prose Poetry: Written like prose, but using poetic language and imagery.
* Concrete Poetry: Words are arranged to form a visual shape.
2. Structure within the Poem
* Stanza: A group of lines forming a unit within a poem.
* Line Break: Where a line of poetry ends. Can be used to emphasize words or create a certain rhythm.
* Meter: The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line. Common meters include iambic pentameter (five pairs of unstressed/stressed syllables) and trochaic tetrameter (four pairs of stressed/unstressed syllables).
* Rhyme: The repetition of sounds at the end of words. Can be end rhyme, internal rhyme, or slant rhyme (near rhyme).
* Rhythm: The flow of the poem, created by the arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables, line breaks, and pauses.
3. Poetic Devices
* Imagery: Language that creates vivid pictures in the reader's mind.
* Metaphor: A comparison between two unlike things, without using "like" or "as."
* Simile: A comparison between two unlike things, using "like" or "as."
* Personification: Giving human qualities to inanimate objects or animals.
* Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.
* Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds.
* Consonance: Repetition of consonant sounds.
4. Analyzing Structure
* Purpose: Why did the poet choose this particular form or structure? What is the effect of the choice?
* Meaning: How does the structure contribute to the poem's overall message?
* Effect: How does the structure affect the reader's experience of the poem?
Remember: Poetry structure is a powerful tool that poets use to create meaning and impact. By understanding the different elements of structure, you can better appreciate and analyze the poems you read.