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Articles > Poetry > Elements of Poetry: Examples and Techniques

Elements of Poems

By Gary R. Hess. Category: Poetry
Poetic Elements

Are you bored of using the same old techniques? Or do you need help analyzing a poetry and need to know what a specific element does? Keep reading.

The definition of "elements of poetry" is "a set of instruments used to create a poem." The usages of many of these elements began thousands of years ago. Archeologists have shown that our ancestors used many of these elements within their ancient oral story. They help bring imagery and emotion to poetry, stories, and dramas.

With over 55 poetry forms, it's essential for writers to use the many varieties of elements. Here is a list used within poems to help bring emotion, meaning, and imagination to the reader.

Alliteration
Two or more words which have the same initial sound. The alliteration may be separated by prepositions. Alliteration example: Pretty princess. Busy as a bee. Example of usage in a poem: William Blake's "The Tiger".
Assonance
A partial rhyme which has the same internal vowel sounds amongst different words. Assonance example: The tundra left the man hungry for buns
Metaphor
A comparison which does not use the words like or as. Metaphor example: "Life is a journey." Example of usage in a poem: Gary R. Hess's "Seasons".
Onomatopoeia
Words that sound like their meaning. Onomatopoeia examples: buzz, moo, pow, bang. Example of usage in a poem: William Blake's "The Chimney Sweeper".
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. Rhyme example: loose goose. Example of usage in a poem: Oliver Wendell Holmes's "Old Ironsides".
Rhythm
The flow of words within each meter and stanza. Rhythm example: Iambic pentameter. Example of usage in a poem: Shakespeare's "Sonnet 116".
Simile
A comparison using the words like or as. Simile example: Life is like a box of chocolates. Example of usage in a poem: Amy Lowell's "A Decade".
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.

In the 20th and 21st century, poets have tried to come up with new ways of adding elements. Nonetheless, many of these versions still stem from some of the older, tried and true elements.