Elements of Poetry

This is a list of elements used within the writing of poems.

Alliteration: Two or more words which have the same initial sound.
Assonance: A partial rhyme which has the same internal vowel sounds amongst different words.
Metaphor: A comparison which does not use the words like or as.
Onomatopoeia: Words that sound like their meaning. For 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.
Rhythm: The flow of words within each meter and stanza.
Simile: A comparison using the words like or as.
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.

Poetry and Quotations