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117

28 Dec 2025

2 pages

Exploring Various Types of Poems

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mia grace

@miagrace222

Poetry might seem mysterious at first, but it's actually built... Show more

Technique/Form/Structure Definition

Sonnet A poem of 14 lines.

Elegy A poem of serious reflection.
Normally to express love after
someone'

Essential Poetry Structures and Literary Devices

Sonnets are poetry's most famous form - exactly 14 lines that often explore themes of love or beauty, like Shakespeare's "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" An elegy, on the other hand, is a reflective poem that expresses grief or loss, such as Walt Whitman's tribute "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd."

Within poems, you'll find stanzas - groups of lines that work like paragraphs in prose. Enjambment occurs when a sentence flows across line breaks, creating rhythm and emphasis, as John Donne demonstrates: "I wonder, by my troth, what thou and I / Did, till we loved?"

Sound devices create the music in poetry. Sibilance uses 's' sounds to create a hissing effect, whilst fricative alliteration employs 'f' and 'v' sounds for softer repetition. Plosive alliteration uses harder consonants like 'b', 'g', 'k', and 'p' to create punch and impact.

Quick Tip: When analysing poetry, read it aloud - you'll hear these sound patterns much more clearly than when reading silently.

Personification gives human qualities to non-human things (like "the wind whistled"), whilst similes compare using "like" or "as." Metaphors make direct comparisons without these words, and extended metaphors develop these comparisons across multiple lines or entire poems.

Technique/Form/Structure Definition

Sonnet A poem of 14 lines.

Elegy A poem of serious reflection.
Normally to express love after
someone'

Sound Patterns and Advanced Techniques

Rhythm creates the heartbeat of poetry - that recurring pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that makes verses flow. Rhyming couplets are two consecutive lines that rhyme and complete a single thought, making them perfect for memorable conclusions.

Motifs are recurring images or themes that appear throughout a poem or across different works - like cleansing water appearing as handwashing, mopping, and refreshing rain. These repeated elements create deeper meaning and connection.

Sound effects can be harsh or pleasant depending on the poet's intention. Cacophony creates deliberate discord through harsh sounds like "crumpled" and "screaming," whilst assonance repeats vowel sounds within words to create smoother effects, such as "She fell asleep under the willow tree."

Remember: Onomatopoeia brings sounds directly into poetry through words like "pop" and "splat" - it's like adding a soundtrack to your verses.

Ballads tell stories through song-like verse, bridging the gap between poetry and music. Elvis Presley's "I Can't Help Falling in Love With You" demonstrates how ballad tradition continues in popular culture today, proving that poetry lives all around us.



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Where can I download the Knowunity app?

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Is Knowunity really free of charge?

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Most popular content: Poetic Devices

Most popular content in English Language

Most popular content

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

 

English Language

117

28 Dec 2025

2 pages

Exploring Various Types of Poems

user profile picture

mia grace

@miagrace222

Poetry might seem mysterious at first, but it's actually built on specific techniques that create meaning, emotion, and sound. Understanding these literary devices will help you analyse poems more effectively and even write your own with confidence.

Technique/Form/Structure Definition

Sonnet A poem of 14 lines.

Elegy A poem of serious reflection.
Normally to express love after
someone'

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Essential Poetry Structures and Literary Devices

Sonnets are poetry's most famous form - exactly 14 lines that often explore themes of love or beauty, like Shakespeare's "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" An elegy, on the other hand, is a reflective poem that expresses grief or loss, such as Walt Whitman's tribute "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd."

Within poems, you'll find stanzas - groups of lines that work like paragraphs in prose. Enjambment occurs when a sentence flows across line breaks, creating rhythm and emphasis, as John Donne demonstrates: "I wonder, by my troth, what thou and I / Did, till we loved?"

Sound devices create the music in poetry. Sibilance uses 's' sounds to create a hissing effect, whilst fricative alliteration employs 'f' and 'v' sounds for softer repetition. Plosive alliteration uses harder consonants like 'b', 'g', 'k', and 'p' to create punch and impact.

Quick Tip: When analysing poetry, read it aloud - you'll hear these sound patterns much more clearly than when reading silently.

Personification gives human qualities to non-human things (like "the wind whistled"), whilst similes compare using "like" or "as." Metaphors make direct comparisons without these words, and extended metaphors develop these comparisons across multiple lines or entire poems.

Technique/Form/Structure Definition

Sonnet A poem of 14 lines.

Elegy A poem of serious reflection.
Normally to express love after
someone'

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Sound Patterns and Advanced Techniques

Rhythm creates the heartbeat of poetry - that recurring pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that makes verses flow. Rhyming couplets are two consecutive lines that rhyme and complete a single thought, making them perfect for memorable conclusions.

Motifs are recurring images or themes that appear throughout a poem or across different works - like cleansing water appearing as handwashing, mopping, and refreshing rain. These repeated elements create deeper meaning and connection.

Sound effects can be harsh or pleasant depending on the poet's intention. Cacophony creates deliberate discord through harsh sounds like "crumpled" and "screaming," whilst assonance repeats vowel sounds within words to create smoother effects, such as "She fell asleep under the willow tree."

Remember: Onomatopoeia brings sounds directly into poetry through words like "pop" and "splat" - it's like adding a soundtrack to your verses.

Ballads tell stories through song-like verse, bridging the gap between poetry and music. Elvis Presley's "I Can't Help Falling in Love With You" demonstrates how ballad tradition continues in popular culture today, proving that poetry lives all around us.

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

Most popular content: Poetic Devices

Most popular content in English Language

Most popular content

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user