AP Lit poetry essay flashcards

What is a poetic device?

A technique used by poets to create meaning, enhance imagery, or evoke emotion.

Define 'imagery'.

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses, creating vivid mental pictures.

True or false: A sonnet consists of 14 lines.

True, because a sonnet typically has 14 lines written in iambic pentameter.

Difference between metaphor and simile.

Metaphors imply comparison directly; similes use 'like' or 'as' for comparison.

What is a theme in poetry?

The central idea or underlying message that the poet conveys through the poem.

Fill in the blank: A poem's _______ is its rhythmic structure.

meter

What is enjambment?

The continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line in poetry.

Compare 'connotation' and 'denotation'.

Denotation is the literal meaning; connotation includes emotional and cultural implications.

True or false: Alliteration is the repetition of vowel sounds.

False, because alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.

What is the purpose of a stanza?

To group lines of poetry, creating sections that can convey distinct ideas or emotions.

Define 'tone' in poetry.

The poet's attitude toward the subject, conveyed through word choice and style.

Fill in the blank: A _______ is a recurring element in a poem.

motif

What is a ballad?

A form of verse that tells a story, often meant to be sung, with a simple rhyme scheme.

Difference between free verse and traditional verse.

Free verse has no set meter or rhyme scheme; traditional verse follows specific patterns.

What does 'persona' mean in poetry?

The voice or character that speaks in the poem, distinct from the poet.

True or false: An ode is a type of poem that expresses strong emotions.

True, because odes celebrate or reflect on a person, event, or idea with deep feeling.