1. Visual Poetry:
This focuses on the physical appearance of the poem on the page. It uses elements like:
* Line Breaks: Where a line ends and begins can create pauses, emphasis, and visual shapes.
* Spacing: The use of white space between words, lines, and stanzas affects the flow and impact of the poem.
* Font: Different fonts can convey different moods and styles, although this is less common in traditional poetry.
* Shape Poems: The words are arranged to form a picture, often representing the poem's theme.
* Concrete Poetry: The words are arranged in a specific visual pattern that creates a visual image.
* Typographic Elements: Using bolding, italics, or other visual cues to highlight certain words or phrases.
2. Figurative Language:
This refers to the use of language that goes beyond its literal meaning, creating a visual effect in the reader's mind:
* Imagery: Using vivid descriptions of sensory details to create mental pictures.
* Metaphor: Comparing one thing to another to create a fresh understanding.
* Simile: Comparing one thing to another using "like" or "as".
* Personification: Giving human qualities to inanimate objects or animals.
* Symbolism: Using objects or actions to represent abstract ideas.
Here are some examples:
* Line Breaks:
* "I have a dream / That my four little children / Will one day live / In a nation / Where they will not be judged / By the color of their skin / But by the content of their character." (Martin Luther King Jr., "I Have a Dream") - The line breaks emphasize the words "dream," "nation," and "character," highlighting the central themes.
* Shape Poems:
* "Stars / Are / The / Jewels / Of / The / Night." (Shape poem by an anonymous author) - The arrangement of words creates a visual representation of stars in the night sky.
* Imagery:
* "The fog comes / on little cat feet." (Carl Sandburg, "Fog") - The imagery of cat feet evokes the quiet and stealthy arrival of the fog.
* Metaphor:
* "Hope is a thing with feathers / That perches in the soul." (Emily Dickinson, "Hope is the thing with feathers") - Hope is metaphorically compared to a bird, suggesting its lightness and resilience.
It's important to note that the distinction between visual poetry and figurative language can sometimes be blurry. Both contribute to the overall experience and meaning of a poem.