Poetry Terms Flashcards | IB - Wyatt's Notes
IB English — Poetry Terms Flashcard Deck
Flashcards with spaced repetition. Press Space to flip, then rate your recall (1—4).
Key Concepts
Figurative Language: Metaphor compares two things directly (“the world is a stage”) — it states that one thing IS another, creating a deeper connection than a simple comparison. Simile compares using “like” or “as” (“brave as a lion”) — it acknowledges the comparison rather than equating the two things. Personification gives human qualities to non-human things (“the wind whispered”), creating vivid imagery and emotional resonance. Hyperbole uses exaggeration for effect (“I’ve told you a million times”), emphasising the intensity of an experience. Irony says the opposite of what is meant, often for humorous or critical effect.
Sound Devices: Alliteration repeats initial consonant sounds (“Peter Piper picked”), creating rhythm and emphasis. Assonance repeats vowel sounds (“go slow”), creating internal rhyme and musicality. Consonance repeats consonant sounds at the end of words (“luck and lark”), creating subtle sound patterns. Onomatopoeia words imitate sounds (“buzz”, “crash”), creating sensory immersion. Internal rhyme occurs within a line, while end rhyme occurs at line endings. Sibilance specifically repeats s/sh sounds, creating a hissing or whispering effect.
Structural Terms: Stanza is a group of lines (like a paragraph in prose), creating visual and rhythmic units. Enjambment continues a sentence across line breaks, creating a sense of flow or urgency. Caesura is a pause within a line (often marked by punctuation), creating emphasis or a shift in tone. Refrain is a repeated line or stanza, often at the end of a verse, reinforcing the poem’s theme. Volta is a “turn” in the poem, in most cases at the end of a sonnet, where the argument or tone shifts.
Imagery: Language that appeals to the senses — visual (sight), auditory (sound), tactile (touch), olfactory (smell), gustatory (taste), and kinesthetic (movement). Effective imagery creates vivid mental pictures and emotional responses in the reader. Multiple senses can be engaged simultaneously (synesthesia) for a richer effect. Imagery is the primary tool poets use to make abstract ideas concrete and emotionally resonant.
Intuition
Think of poetry as music made with words. Sound devices are the instruments — alliteration is the drumbeat, assonance is the melody, consonance is the bass line. Figurative language is the paint — metaphors and similes add colour and depth. Structure is the rhythm and timing — stanzas are the verses, enjambment creates flow, caesura creates pauses. Together, they create a multi-sensory experience. The best poems work on multiple levels simultaneously — the sound reinforces the meaning, and the structure mirrors the content.
Why it matters: Understanding poetry terminology is essential for IB English Paper 1 (unseen commentary) and Paper 2 (comparative essay). These terms provide the vocabulary for analysing how poets create meaning and effect. Without this technical language, your analysis will lack precision and depth.
Common Pitfalls
- Confusing metaphor and simile. Both make comparisons, but similes use “like” or “as” while metaphors state something IS something else. “Her eyes are diamonds” (metaphor) vs “Her eyes sparkle like diamonds” (simile). Metaphors are generally considered more powerful because they equate rather than compare.
- Assuming alliteration only matters at the start of words. It’s the repetition of initial consonant SOUNDS, not just letters. “Unique unicorn” is not alliteration (different initial sounds); “cat kite” is alliteration (same initial /k/ sound). The key is sound, not spelling.
- Forgetting to link poetic techniques to effect. IB exams require you to explain WHY a technique is used, not just identify it. Always ask: what does this technique show, suggest, or emphasise? How does it contribute to the poem’s meaning or mood?
- Confusing enjambment with caesura. Enjambment continues a sentence across line breaks (no pause); caesura creates a pause within a line (often with punctuation). They have opposite effects — enjambment creates flow, caesura creates interruption.
Cross-References
- Poetry Analysis: Poetry flashcards cover techniques; poetry analysis applies these techniques to specific poems in detail.
- Unseen Poetry: Unseen poetry requires rapid analysis using these terminology skills under exam conditions.
- Comparative: Comparing poems requires identifying and evaluating how different poets use the same techniques for different effects.
- Prose: Prose techniques overlap with poetic techniques — metaphor, imagery, and structure are used in both forms.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.