Poetry Terminology

Question 1

POETRY

Answer 1

Writing that uses language chosen and arranged to create a specific emotional response through meaning, sound, and rhythm (Merriam-Webster).

Question 2

NARRATIVE POEM

Answer 2

A story told in verse; often possessing the elements of fiction such as characters, conflict and plot.

Question 3

LYRIC POEM

Answer 3

Highly musical verses expressing observation and feeling; in ancient times they were chanted

Question 4

BALLAD

Answer 4

Song-like poem that has a regular meter and also tells a story often dealing with adventure and romance; usually written in simple language with a significant refrain; quite often with supernatural events.

Question 5

FREE VERSE

Answer 5

Poetry written without a regular rhythmical pattern or meter; lines can be any length or number of beats; they do NOT rhyme.

Question 6

RHYME (RHYMING PATTERN)

Answer 6

The repetition of sounds at the end of the lines used to create musical effects and links words or ideas together throughout the poem.

Question 7

RHYTHM

Answer 7

The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in the line of a poem.

Question 8

REFRAIN

Answer 8

A line or group of lines repeated at the end of a stanza or between multiple stanzas
(like a chorus of a song).