The Elements of Poetry

1
The Elements of Poetry
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Introduction to Poetry
Poetry is the most compact form of literature. A
poem packs all kinds of ideas, feelings, and
sounds into a few carefully chosen words. The
look, sound, and language of poetry all work
together to create a total effect.
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Form

• The arrangement of a poem on the page.
• How a poem looks
• Can add meaning to the poem

4
Form

• Poetry is written in lines, which are NOT always
  complete sentences
• Sometimes lines are separated into groups called
  stanzas

5
Rhythm

• The rhythm is the beat of the poem.
• It is the pattern of STRESSED and unSTRESSED
  syllables in a line of poetry.
• toMAto WAter READing

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Rhythm

• Poems that do not have a regular rhythm are
  called free verse.

7
Rhyme

• Poets often use words that rhyme
• Often, poets place the rhyming words at the end
  of a line of poetry
• This is called end rhyme

8
Repetition

• Poets often choose to repeat certain sounds,
  words, phrases, or whole lines
• This helps the poet emphasize an idea or create
  a certain feeling