Elements of Poetry
Alliteration
Two or more words which have the same initial sound. Example: Pretty princess
Assonance
A partial rhyme which has the same internal vowel sounds amongst different words. Example: The tundra left the man hungry for buns
Metaphor
A comparison which does not use the words like or as. Example: Life is a journey.
Onomatopoeia
Words that sound like their meaning. Example: buzz, moo, pow.
Repetitions
The repetition of the same word throughout the poem to emphasize significance.
Rhyme
The repetition of sounds within different words, either end sound, middle or beginning. Example: loose goose.
Rhythm
The flow of words within each meter and stanza. Example: Iambic pentameter.
Simile
A comparison using the words like or as. Example: Life is like a box of chocolates.
Style
The way the poem is written. Free-style, ballad, haiku, etc. Includes length of meters, number of stanzas along with rhyme techniques and rhythm.
Symbol
Something that represents something else through association, resemblance or convention
Theme
The message, point of view and idea of the poem.