THE ELEMENTS OF POETRY

The Elements of Poetry

Section 1: Sound, Sense, and Form

Section 2: Poetry and Pictures

Poems use imagery and sound to convey meaning. This section of the tutorial will introduce you to some some of the visual and auditory elements that you should pay attention to as you read. Topics covered will include

• rhythm and meter
• sound and rhyme
• lineation
• imagery
• symbolism
• figurative language such as simile and metaphor

The section is divided into two parts, each of which focuses on a separate constellation of poetic elements. The first section is called "Sound, Sense, and Form." Its purpose is to introduce you to the way the auditory qualities of a poem and its physical arrangement contribute to its meaning.
The second section is called "Poetry and Pictures." Its purpose is to introduce you to the visual elements of poetry such as imagery and figurative language.