Great definitions of poetic devices

[Andrea345]

I think it was The Broad who published the link to Bob's Byway of Poetic Terms (http://shoga.wwa.com/~rgs/glossary.html). But sometimes those definitions still don't make sense to me. On the other hand, I've found alot of people defining these terms here on the forum which make better sense than the definitions I've found elsewhere.

ENJAMBMENT: This quote is by Julie and it is used in context of a poem written in rhyming couplets:
"Enjambment means ending a line in the middle of a sentence or phrase so that the sense of the line requires the reader to keep going. Enjambment is very important, especially in longer pieces, as it will keep the poem from falling into a sing-songy rhythm."

here's the hyperlink to her crit: rats something on my browser isn't working. I'll try to post it later. Browser working now but now I can't find the hyperlink. rats

Thanks Julie! (Should I have asked permission before quoting you?)


Here's a great link on rhythm & sound in poetry. http://www.everypoet.com/poetry/poetry_forums/Forum11/HTML/000155.html

Here's some links at scanning & meter in a poem by a variety of incredible critters:http://www.everypoet.com/poetry/poetry_forums/Forum17/HTML/001985.html
http://www.everypoet.com/poetry/poetry_forums/Forum17/HTML/002108.html http://www.everypoet.com/poetry/poetry_forums/Forum17/HTML/002084.html




[This message has been edited by Andrea345 (edited 05-17-2001).]

[Gridlock]

Forgive me if this sounds stupid, but doesn't cutting the sentence in the middle make it sound awkward? http://www.everypoet.com/poetry/poetry_forums/redface.gif

[Howard Miller]

"Forgive me if this sounds stupid, but doesn't cutting the sentence in the middle make it sound awkward?"


So much depends (enjambment)
upon

a red wheel (enjambment)
barrow

glazed with rain (enjambment)
water

beside the white (enjambment)
chickens


Howard

[Erika S]

Gridlock -

Poetry is meant to be read aloud as if the line breaks did not exist.

For example, much of the dialogue in Shakespeare's plays is written in blank verse (non-rhyming iambic pentameter). Each line contains 10 sylables, but no necssarily a complete clause or phrase. When the actors read the lines on stage, they don't pause at the end of a line, that would sound silly, and would surely confuse the audience.

Howard Miller posted a famous William Carlos Willams poem in which enjambment is used effectively. Take for example the lines:


a red wheel
barrow


As your eyes skim the the poem, you first read "a red wheel", but as you move downward, the image changes. No longer should you see "a red wheel", you should see "a red wheelbarrow", something altogether different. The poem develops and moves very well because of the enjambment. Though meaning/image shifts as you read, you should not pause at each line, as that would make the poem sound awkward.

Also, take note of Julie's warning against letting a poem fall into a sing-songy rhythm. This is generally unenjoyable, and enjambment is a wonderfully combatant against it.

-Erika

[Harry Rutherford]

Originally posted by ericaeatscrayons:
Gridlock -

Poetry is meant to be read aloud as if the line breaks did not exist.

-Erika

No no no! If that were true, what would line breaks be for?

There is some meaning to the fact that poetry is broken up into shorter lines, honest.

Harry
I would appreciate someone more sober explaining what I meant for me...

[Patrice]

The line can create a visual image. With enjambment, the linebreaks can be placed wherever the reader could take a breath--not as long a pause as a comma, and certainly not a full stop.