What is a Poem?
a composition in verse
Poetic Forms
There are many different types of and forms of poetry. I have listed some of the different types; but there are still many other forms.
Epic: long narrative poem in elevated style recounting the deeds of a legendary or historical hero.
Qualities of an Epic Poem: 1) narrative poem of great scope; dealing with the founding of a nation or some other heroic theme
2) requires a dignified theme
3) requires an organic unity
4) requires orderly progress of the action
5) always has a heroic figure or figures
6) involves supernatural forces
7) written in deliberately ceremonial style
Acrostic: composition usually in verse which sets of letters (as the initial or final letters of lines) taken in order to form a word, or phrase, or regular sequence of letters of the alphabet
Narrative Poem: must tell a story
Prose Poem: a composition in prose that has some qualities of a poem
Ballad: narrative poem that has a musical rhythm and can be sung
Found Poem: a poem consisting of words found in a nonpoetic context (as a product label) and usually broken into lines that convey a verse rhythm
Question Poem: a poem centered around a question
Tercet Poem: stanza of 3 lines, each line ending in same rhyme sound
List Poem: when the writer starts a brainstorming for the poem, making a list and writes the poem from the list. Take the list, make it into a poem; don't have to rhyme
One Sentence Poem: a poem that's one sentence long with words strategically placed to give a visual effect of the feelings of the author
Bio Poem: 11 line poem about a person that tells about that person
Format in lines:
1)name
2) 4 traits(adj.)
3) related to (family)
4) cares deeply about
5) who feels
6) who needs
7) who gives
8) who fears
9) what would like to see
10) resident of
11) open (does not matter what is on this line)
Concrete: a visual poem created with words placed on a page to create an idea through shape or form
Blank Verse: unrhymed, usually iambic, pentameter
Free Style: a poem that follows no given pattern
Diamante: poem whose name is derived from its shape
Structure to follow is:
1) noun-subject of poem
2) 2 adjectives describing subject
3) 3 participles (ing verbs) describing subject
4) 4 nouns; 2 related to subject & 2 related to opposite of original subject
5) 3 participles describing the opposite subject
6) 2 adjectives describing your opposite subject
7) opposite subject
Dramatic Analogue Poetry: poet sets up a character to speak to another character (you, the reader) who doesn't answer
Didactic Poetry: written to convey a message; usually contains moral view and explain consequences or benefits
Haiku: unrhymed verse form having 3 lines; usually 5,7,5 syllables respectively
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Poetic Terms
Fixed Verse Forms