Structure and Form:
* Meter: A regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables. Common meters include iambic pentameter (five pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables) and trochaic tetrameter (four pairs of stressed and unstressed syllables).
* Rhyme: The repetition of similar sounds, often at the ends of lines. Types include end rhyme (at the end of lines), internal rhyme (within a line), and slant rhyme (near rhymes).
* Stanza: A group of lines forming a unit within a poem. Common stanzas include couplets (two lines), quatrains (four lines), and sonnets (14 lines).
* Line Breaks: Where the poet chooses to end a line, often influencing the rhythm and meaning of the poem.
* Form: A specific structure that the poem follows, like a sonnet, haiku, or villanelle. Each form has its own rules for meter, rhyme, and stanza structure.
Language and Style:
* Imagery: The use of sensory details to create vivid pictures in the reader's mind.
* Figurative Language: Non-literal language, including metaphors, similes, personification, and symbolism.
* Sound Devices: Techniques used to create a musical effect, like alliteration, assonance, consonance, and onomatopoeia.
* Diction: The choice of words, which can be formal, informal, colloquial, or poetic.
* Tone: The poet's attitude towards the subject matter, which can be humorous, serious, ironic, etc.
* Theme: The central idea or message of the poem.
Other Key Features:
* Narrative: Some poems tell a story, while others are more lyrical or reflective.
* Speaker: The voice that speaks in the poem, which may or may not be the poet.
* Structure and Organization: How the poem is organized, whether it's chronological, thematic, or free-flowing.
Important Note: While these features are common in poetry, not all poems will exhibit all of them. Some poems may break from traditional forms and use unconventional language and structure. The beauty of poetry lies in its diversity and experimentation!