
Basic Poetry Structure Terms
- Anaphora This is when the same word or phrase is repeated or appears at the start of each line. ...
- Allusion A reference to a person, place, object, or event is known as an allusion. ...
- Anapest A metrical foot with two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable is known as an anapest. ...
- Assonance ...
- Blank verse ...
- Alliteration ...
- Caesura ...
- Couplet ...
- Haiku. The haiku (or hokku) is an ancient form of Japanese poetry that has become very popular all over the world. ...
- Free verse. Free verse is a popular style of modern poetry, and as its name suggests there is a fair amount of freedom when it comes to writing a poem like this. ...
- Sonnet. ...
- Acrostic. ...
- Villanelle. ...
- Limerick. ...
- Ode. ...
- Elegy.
What are the types of poetry according to structure?
What are the types of poetry according to structure? Blank verse. Blank verse is poetry written with a precise meter-almost always iambic pentameter-that does not rhyme. ...
What are some examples of structure in poetry?
What is structure in a poem?
- Line length Line length shows the reader how it should be read. Short lines are usually read faster, with more emotion. Longer lines slow down the pace of a poem. ...
- Stanzas Stanzas, the groups of lines, are like paragraph in prose. They contain a central idea. ...
- Consistency Structure also refers to the consistency used throughout the poem. ...
What are some easy types of poems to write?
Some of the easier types of poems and poetry styles for beginners include: Acrostic: The first letter of the first word on each line spells out a word. Free verse: There are no rules. Just write what comes to mind. Haiku: This short poem uses a specific number of syllables per line. I Am: Write a poem all about you that doesn’t have to follow any other rules.
What are the six types of poems?
7 Common Types of Poetry and Their Unique Features
- Cinquain Poems. A cinquain is a five-line poem inspired by Japanese haiku. ...
- Epic Poems. An epic is a long and narrative poem that normally tells a story about a hero or an adventure. ...
- Ballad Poems. A ballad poem also tells a story, as epic poems do. ...
- Acrostic Poems. ...

What are the different structure of a poem?
These structures are also known as the elements of poetry. The basic elements of poetry include meter, rhyme, scheme, verse, and stanza.
What are the 4 main types of poetry?
4 Types of Poetry and Why Students Should Study ThemTypes of Poetry: Free Verse. Children's author and U.S. Children's Poet Laureate J. ... Types of Poetry: Haiku. ... Types of Poetry: Limerick. ... Types of Poetry: Sonnet.
What is the main structure of the poem?
The basic building block of a poem is a verse known as a stanza. A stanza is a grouping of lines related to the same thought or topic, similar to a paragraph in prose. A stanza can be subdivided based on the number of lines it contains. For example, a couplet is a stanza with two lines.
What are the 3 main types of poetry?
There are three main kinds of poetry: narrative, dramatic and lyrical. It is not always possible to make distinction between them. For example, an epic poem can contain lyrical passages, or lyrical poem can contain narrative parts.
What are the 5 main types of poetry?
Haiku. The haiku (or hokku) is an ancient form of Japanese poetry that has become very popular all over the world. ... Free verse. Free verse is a popular style of modern poetry, and as its name suggests there is a fair amount of freedom when it comes to writing a poem like this. ... Sonnet. ... Acrostic. ... Villanelle. ... Limerick. ... Ode. ... Elegy.More items...
What are the 5 features of poetry?
Terms in this set (5)Rhyme. * Some poems use rhyming words to create a certain effect. ... Rhythm. * Sometimes poets use repetition of sounds or patterns to create a musical effect in their poems. ... Figurative Language. * Figurative language is often found in poetry. ... Shape. ... Mood.
Why is the structure of a poem important?
These structures contribute to the overall message or meaning of the writing. Poetry is no different. Poems are a collection of literary work that is written in stanzas and lines that make use of rhythm in order to emphasize or express emotions and ideas.
What is the 7 elements of poetry?
These elements may include, voice, diction, imagery, figures of speech, symbolism and allegory, syntax, sound, rhythm and meter, and structure.
How do you analyze the structure of a poem?
0:102:41Poetry Structure Analysis - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you look at the stanza. And what each one represents. How it's related to the one before it andMoreSo you look at the stanza. And what each one represents. How it's related to the one before it and the one after it. So you look at those what's going on in the stanza.
How many styles of poetry are there?
Poetry, in its own way, is a form of artistic expression. But did you know there are over 50 different types of poetry? Outside of upper-level poetry seminars or in-depth studies, most educators tend to focus on seven common types of poetry. Learn more about these seven types.
What is the style of a poem?
A poetic form is a set of rules that dictate the rhyme scheme, structure, rhythm, and meter of a poem. The form may also guide the purpose and tone of a poem. When the message and form fit together, you can produce a poem that is truly powerful.
What is poetry and its types?
A poem is a piece of writing that relies on rhyme, rhythm and meter to evoke feeling, or to convey setting and story. There are dozens of different poetic forms, such as verse, haiku, sonnet, and ballad. Although poems aren't defined by their forms, they are distinguished by them.
What is the most common type of poetry?
Popular poetry types include haiku, free verse, sonnets, and acrostic poems. It's one thing to define each type; it's another to enjoy a sample platter. Ready to open the doors to a world of verbal artistry? Let's dive into some of the more prominent forms of poetry while we savor a few samples.
What is poetry and its types?
A poem is a piece of writing that relies on rhyme, rhythm and meter to evoke feeling, or to convey setting and story. There are dozens of different poetic forms, such as verse, haiku, sonnet, and ballad. Although poems aren't defined by their forms, they are distinguished by them.
What are the 10 most popular poem?
The 32 Most Iconic Poems in the English LanguageWilliam Carlos Williams, “The Red Wheelbarrow” ... T. S. Eliot, “The Waste Land” ... Robert Frost, “The Road Not Taken” ... Gwendolyn Brooks, “We Real Cool” ... Elizabeth Bishop, “One Art” ... Emily Dickinson, “Because I could not stop for Death –” ... Langston Hughes, “Harlem”More items...•
What is a 21 line poem called?
Structure. The pantoum is a form of poetry similar to a villanelle in that there are repeating lines throughout the poem.
What is the purpose of poetry structures?
Now let’s talk about the most popular types of poetry structure. They were created in different cultures, and their purpose was to created specific emotions so these structures are arranged in a standardized way.
What are the building blocks of poetry?
The poetic structure definition includes its building blocks: stanzas, line length, rhyme, and rhythm. Stanza is a series of poetic lines grouped together.
How many lines are in a Pantoum poem?
Pantoum structure consists of 4-line stanzas. Lines can be of different lengths and the last line of this poetic form is often similar to the first one. Such poems can be both long and short. This form is all about a repetition that is powerful for emphasis.
What is a stanza in poetry?
Stanza is a series of poetic lines grouped together. They are separated from other stanzas by an empty line. Stanzas are similar to a paragraph in a story and can be classified by a number of lines. Rhyme is based on the repetition of similar sounds.
How many lines are there in a villanelle?
It’s a very old form that originated from France but some people think that it was actually adapted from Italian folk songs. This fixed form has 2 rhymes and 19 lines. The rhyming scheme of the villanelle is very sophisticated.
What is the ode form?
Ode form was invented for flattery in ancient Greece and Rome. Ode structure can be of 3 types: the Irregular, the Pindaric, and the Horation. This lengthy lyric poem is characterized by serious nature. It also features a formal ode poem structure and an elevated style.
How many lines are there in Limerick?
Limerick is a funny poem that consists of 5 different lines. 2 longer lines are followed by 2 short ones, and then there is a closing line that is typically a joke. Limerick poem structure is characterized by a distinctive rhythm. The origin of this nonsense poetic form is a mystery.
How is a poem different from other forms of literature?
How is a poem different from other forms of literature? In poetry, word choices are made to express passionate feelings and ideas. While some forms of poetry are marked by strict adherence to patterns of meter and rhyme, other forms are written in prose. Let's look at some different types of poetry.
What are some examples of traditional poems?
Not all traditional poems rhyme, but those that do use consistent rhyming patterns as well. Some examples of traditional poems include acrostic, clerihew, and haiku.
How many syllables are in Haiku?
Haiku is a Japanese poem that consists of three lines. The first line has five syllables, the second line has seven syllables, and the third line has five syllables for a total of seventeen syllables. Sometimes, authors will rhyme the first and third line, but rhyming is not necessary.
What is an acrostic poem?
Acrostic poems use the letters of a word written vertically as the first letter in each line of the poem. For example, here is an acrostic called, 'Vote'.
What is pastoral poetry?
Typically, rural life is idealized in pastoral poems; specifically, the life of a shepherd is heralded over the vices of city life. An idyll poem is a type of pastoral poem in which short and descriptive verses provide imagery for the reader about the beauty of the natural world within a rural setting.
What is concrete poetry?
Concrete poetry is also called visual poetry. Concrete poetry arranges the word of a poem in such a way that the words themselves create an image or shape. Concrete poetry is traditionally used for religious subjects.
What is dramatic poetry?
The author typically narrates a poem, but dramatic poetry incorporates point of view to tell a story. Rather than being narrated, dramatic poetry includes the spoken words of one or more characters. When the character is talking out loud to themselves, it is called a soliloquy. A poem in which just one character gives a speech is called a dramatic monologue.
What is concrete poetry?
Concrete poetry is designed to take a particular shape or form on the page. Poets can manipulate spacing or layout to emphasize a theme or important element in the text, or sometimes they can take the literal shape of their subjects.
How many lines are in a sonnet?
Each type contains 14 lines but comes with its own set of rules.
What is the meaning of ekphrastic poetry?
Ekphrastic Poems. Ekphrastic poems don’t really have specific rules, but they do speak of another work of art. Ekphrasis comes from the Greek word for “description,” and that’s exactly what this poem should do: vividly describe a painting, statue, photograph, or story.
What type of poem is written in mourning?
The elegy is another type of poem that lacks particular rules, but it usually is written in mourning following a death. They can be written for a particular person, or treat the subject of loss more generally.
What are some examples of elegy?
Example of an Elegy. One famous example of an elegy is Walt Whitman’s “O Captain, My Captain,” which Whitman wrote following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln: O Captain! My Captain! rise up and hear the bells; Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills;
What are some examples of villanelles?
Examples of Villanelles. “The Waking” by Theodore Roethke. “Do not go gentle into that good night” by Dylan Thomas. 3. Haiku. You might remember writing a few of these back in grade school, because not only are these poems short, but they can be very fun to write. The haiku originated in 17 th century Japan.
Is it hard to write poetry?
Writing good poetry can be incredibly challenging, and sometimes just trying to understand it can be tiresome. But if you think writing poetry requires a minor in rocket science, think again.
What Is the Structure of a Poem?
What is the structure of a poem? When discussing the structure of a poem, there are several different elements that are important. All of them come together to create a coherent poetic work. A standard definition of poetic structure would discuss a poem's form (meaning the number of lines that it has), its rhythm and rhyme scheme, and whether it is an example of an existing type of poetry. Poetry is a very broad genre of writing that can include many disparate works. Poems can differ in content, structure, or both. For examples of poems that are structurally as different as can be, consider the poems ''In a Station of the Metro'' by Ezra Pound and Paradise Lost by John Milton. Both are poems, but one is only a few words long while the other is an epic story told in verse.
How to analyze the structure of a poem?
Analyzing the structure of a poem starts with identifying what the structural elements of the story are. It is then important to analyze how each of those elements contributes to the poem as a whole.
What does it mean to analyze a poem?
Analyzing a poem means looking at all of these structural elements. Each one will have been deliberately chosen by the poem's writer to add meaning to the work. Rhyme scheme in particular can be used to emphasize certain ideas in a poem. A poem with repeating stanzas or phrases might have a very different emotional impact on the reader than a poem in which nothing repeats.
What is a haiku?
Haikus are a Japanese poetry style that have become popular around the world in the past century or so. Traditional haikus have very specific structural rules. A haiku consists of three lines of poetry. The first line must have five syllables, the second line seven, and the third line five again. Haikus traditionally do not rhyme. While they can be written on any subject, they are most commonly associated with meditative studies of the natural world. An example of a famous haiku is this one by Japanese haiku master Matsuo Basho:
What is rhyme scheme?
Rhyme scheme: A rhyme scheme is the pattern of rhyming words that make up the end of each line. Not all poems rhyme, but those that do might follow an ABAB rhyme scheme, where lines 1 and 3 rhyme (the A lines) and lines 2 and 4 also rhyme (the B lines).
What does meter mean in poetry?
Meter: The meter of a poem denotes how the rhythm intersects with a poem's line length. For instance, if a poem is written in iambic pentameter, then each line will have five sets of unstressed-stressed syllable pairs.
What is the rhythm of a poem?
Rhythm: The rhythm of a poem is the beat or pattern that the words and syllables in the poem have. Some poems are iambic, meaning that the poem is made up of sets of unstressed-stressed syllable pairs.
Why do we use structured poems?
Structured poems allow individuals to be creative but still have a safety net that provides help along the way.
What does A and B stand for in a poem?
A and B stand for the rhyme scheme. All the lines that have an “A” will rhyme with each other, as do all the lines that have a “B.” A1 and A2 are the lines that are repeated throughout the poem.
What do the numbers in a stanza mean?
The numbers indicate the different stanzas that make up the sestina, and the letters stand for the last word of each line. As the poem continues, the ending words from the lines of the first stanza are repeated at the end of the lines to follow (using the structure indicated below). 1. ABCDEF. 2.
How to write a palindrome?
When writing a palindrome, try writing the first and last lines and then working your way toward the middle. This will help you know if the poem is making sense.
How to write an acrostic?
Write an acrostic about a specific topic (name, season, subject, sport, etc.) by listing the word vertically and starting each line with a word that begins with each specific letter.#N#Grade Recommendation: K-2 (simple prompt like their name), 3-5
How many syllables are in a nonet?
A nonet is a poem that has nine lines and follows a specific syllable count for each line. The first one starts with nine syllables. The second line has eight syllables. This progression continues until the last line only has one syllable.#N#Grade recommendation: 6-8, 9-12

Contemporary Poetry
Classical Poetry
- Classical poetry is one of the poetic forms that cannot be changed once it has begun. However, in the first stanza, many feet or syllables repeat in subsequent stanzas. A stanza (which refers to each line of a poem) is the basic building block of poetry. So, in a classical poem, if you begin the poem with a stanza of fourteen feet, the subsequent s...
The 4 Parts of Poetry Structures
- When analyzing and writing poetry, you have to understand certain terminologies and definitions of those terms to identify what type of poem you are reading or writing. The following will explain some of the more common types of poetic structure.
Volta in Poetry
- In poetry, volta means the turn or shift of an argument. It introduces a new outlook after the first argument in a poem. Highlighted below are the voltas of two sonnets: Example of volta in a Shakespearean sonnet: Sonnet 130 by William Shakespeare In the three quatrains of Sonnet 130, the speaker compares his lady to other forms of beauty that can outweigh hers. Yet, the volta ap…