Poetry: Glossary

Rhyme

One way of creating repetitive patterns of sound. They may be used as an independent structural element in a poem, to reinforce rhythmic patterns, or as an ornamental element

Rhythm

The pattern of stresses and pauses in a poem.

Alliteration

The repetition of two or more consonant sounds in successive words in a line of verse or prose. Alliteration can be used at the beginning of words or internally on stressed syllables.

Consonance

A kind of rhyme in which the linked words share similar consonant sounds but different vowel sounds, as in reason and raisin, mink and monk. Sometimes on the final consonant sound is identical, as in fame and room, crack and truck.

Eye Rhyme

Rhyme in which the spelling of the words appear alike, but the pronunciations differ.

Eg. Comb and tomb

Internal Rhyme

Rhyme that occurs within the same line of poetry


Diction

Word choice or vocabulary.


Simile

A comparison of two things, indicated by some connective, usually like, as , than, or a verb such as resembles. A simile usually compares two things that initially seem unlike but are shown to have a significant resemblance.

Eg. Oh, my love is like a red, red rose


Metaphor

A statement that one thing is something else, which, in a literal sense, it is not. By asserting that a thing is something else, a metaphor creates a close association between the two entities and usually underscores some important similarity between them.