Primeasia University

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Department of English
Course Title: Elements of Poetry

Look at the following picture and read the poem. Now ponder over why and how this text differs from any
newspaper article you have read lately-

Your thoughts here-

Poetry and prose are two different forms of literature, and the main difference between them is the use of
language. Poetry is written in a condensed and heightened language invested with some poetic elements, often
with a distinctive rhythm, rhyme scheme, and structure. Prose, on the other hand, is written in a more natural,
conversational language with fewer constraints on structure and form.

Objective of the lesson

Identify and analyze examples of these elements in a variety of poems

Understand the key elements of poetry and how they contribute to the meaning and impact of a poem
 Poetic Elements or the Elements of
Poetry can be discussed in three
following parts-
I. Sound Devices
II. Imagery
III. Structure and Form

Sound devices in poetry are a crucial aspect of poetic expression. They are the means through which
poets create a musical quality in their works, which enhances the emotional effect of the poem on the reader.
Some of the most common sound devices include rhyme, alliteration, assonance, consonance, and
onomatopoeia.

Rhyme is perhaps the most familiar sound device, and it involves matching the sounds of words that appear at
the end of lines or within lines. Find rhyme in the poem put on front and put down your own ideas-
Alliteration involves the repetition of initial consonant sounds in a series of words. For example, in the poem
"The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe, the repeated "r" sound in the phrase "rapping, rapping at my chamber door"
adds a haunting quality to the poem.

Know more about alliteration? (attach pages if necessary)

Assonance involves the repetition of vowel sounds in a series of words. For example, in T.S. Eliot's "The Love
Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," the repeated "o" sound in the phrase "The yellow fog that rubs its back upon the
window-panes" creates a sense of dreariness and melancholy.

Consonance involves the repetition of consonant sounds in a series of words, either at the beginning, middle, or
end of words. For example, in Langston Hughes' poem "Harlem," the repeated "m" sound in the phrase "Does it
dry up / like a raisin in the sun?" creates a sense of despair and hopelessness.

Onomatopoeia is a sound device in which the sound of a word imitates its meaning. For example, in the poem
"The Bells" by Edgar Allan Poe, the repeated use of words like "tinkle," "clang," and "moan" creates a musical
quality that is directly tied to the meaning of the words.

Overall, sound devices in poetry contribute to the overall effect of the poem on the reader. They can create a
sense of rhythm and musicality, emphasize certain words or phrases, and enhance the emotional impact of the
poem. By analyzing examples of sound devices in various poems, students can gain a deeper understanding of
how they contribute to the meaning and impact of poetry.

Question: Write about the impact of sound devices in poetry with appropriate example.

Form and structure are two key elements of poetry that play an important role in shaping a
poem's meaning and impact. Form refers to the overall shape and organization of a poem, while structure refers
to the specific patterns and techniques used to create the poem's form.

One common form of poetry is the sonnet, which consists of 14 lines and typically follows a specific rhyme
scheme and meter. This form was popularized by William Shakespeare, and is still widely used today. Another
form of poetry is free verse, which does not follow a specific rhyme or meter, and instead relies on other
elements such as imagery and language to create meaning and impact.

Can you think of more forms? (Attach pages if necessary)

Structure refers to the specific patterns and techniques used within a poem to create its form. For example, one
common technique is repetition, where certain words or phrases are repeated throughout the poem to create a
sense of rhythm and unity. Another technique is enjambment, where a sentence or phrase runs over from one
line to the next, creating a sense of flow and continuity.

Form and structure are important elements of poetry because they help to shape and enhance a poem's meaning
and impact. By using specific forms and structures, poets can create a sense of unity, rhythm, and continuity
within their work, helping to draw the reader in and enhance their understanding and appreciation of the poem.

Understanding Meter:
Meter is the rhythmic pattern of a poem, determined by the number of syllables in each line and the pattern of
stressed and unstressed syllables.
In poetry, a foot is a unit of meter consisting of one stressed syllable and one or more unstressed syllables. The
number of stressed and unstressed syllables in a foot determines the meter of a poem. Common types of feet
include iamb (unstressed/stressed), trochee (stressed/unstressed), anapest (unstressed/unstressed/stressed),
dactyl (stressed/unstressed/unstressed), and spondee (stressed/stressed).

Meter, on the other hand, refers to the overall pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry.
Meter is typically measured in terms of the number of feet per line. Common types of meter include iambic
pentameter (which consists of five iambs per line), trochaic tetrameter (which consists of four trochees per line),
and dactylic hexameter (which consists of six dactyls per line).

Understanding the different types of feet and meter in poetry is important for analyzing and interpreting a
poem's meaning and impact. The choice of meter can affect the pace, tone, and mood of a poem, while the use
of different types of feet can create specific rhythms and patterns that contribute to the poem's overall effect.

There are different types of meter in poetry, including:

1. Iambic meter: This is the most common type of meter in English poetry, and it involves a pattern of
unstressed and stressed syllables, such as in the word "be-long."
2. Trochaic meter: This involves a pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables, such as in the word "Ty-
ger."
3. Anapestic meter: This involves a pattern of two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable,
such as in the word "un-der-stand."
4. Dactylic meter: This involves a pattern of one stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables,
such as in the word "yes-ter-day."

Meter can also be used to create different effects in poetry. For example, a poem with a regular meter can create
a sense of order and stability, while a poem with irregular meter can create a sense of chaos or unpredictability.

In addition to meter, other elements such as rhyme and repetition can also contribute to the overall sound and
musicality of a poem.