Poetry Basics

Ballad and Narrative Poetry: Poetry that tells a story. This type of poem focuses more on characters and theme than on the poet's feelings and thoughts.

Lyrical Poetry: Poetry that expresses thoughts, feelings or personal views. A poet writing this type of poem often relies on personal experiences and relationships for inspiration.

Structure: The specific format of a poem. This can vary depending on the type of poem. While some poems are very specific in their format, requiring a poet to follow a set structure, most will employ the following elements. For definitions and examples of different types of poems see: Poem Types.

• Line: A phrase, clause, or sentence of a poem. A line may end in a rhyming word as part of the rhyme scheme.
• Stanza: A paragraph or section of text. Stanzas are usually separated with a one line break.
• Rhyme Scheme: The pattern of end rhyme within a poem. This pattern is usually shown by labeling the end of each line with a letter (beginning with A). Lines with corresponding end rhyme will be labeled with the same letter. (Example)

Symbol: Something that represents something greater than itself. A poet might use a symbol to create a point of comparison within writing. A symbol, unlike a metaphor or simile, tends to be a comparison that is recognized by a wide range of people. example: Dove=Peace, Pumpkin=Halloween, Lion=Courage.

Theme: The main idea or message of a piece of writing. Some common themes are love, hate, hunger, growing up, growing old, dying, fears, cruelty, compassion, patriotism, etc.