A stanza is a group of lines forming the basic unit of a poem. Like paragraphs in prose, stanzas separate ideas in a poem, and they are typically set apart by line breaks or indentation. A stanza can vary in length; it can be two lines or more. Below you can see the first two stanzas of “The Tyger” by William Blake.
Stanza example Tyger Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night;
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
In what distant deeps or skies.
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand, dare seize the fire?
Iambic pentameter is a term describing the rhythmic structure of a line in a poem or play. Each line written in iambic pentameter consists of ten syllables in a specific pattern of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable.
Iambic pentameter example Solongasmencanbreathe, oreyescansee
Iambic pentameter is the most common rhythmic pattern in English literature. Many renowned writers, such as William Shakespeare, Alfred Lord Tennyson, and John Milton, have used its rhythm and flow to pace their poems and plays.
A rhyme scheme is the pattern of rhymes at the end of each line of a poem or song. This pattern is notated by labeling the lines that rhyme with each other with the same letter; for example, an ABBA rhyme scheme indicates that the first line rhymes with the fourth one, and the second line rhymes with the third.
Rhyme scheme exampleRoses are red (A)
Violets are blue, (B)
Sugar is sweet (C)
And so are you. (B)
This nursery rhyme follows an ABCB rhyme scheme, with “blue” and “you” rhyming.
Rhyme schemes help poets create rhythm, structure their thoughts, and make their work more memorable.
Catachresis is the misapplication of a word or phrase in a way that defies conventional use. It makes exaggerated, unusual, or forced comparisons between two ideas or objects that initially seem incorrect but reveal new meanings. We encounter catachresis in literature, poetry, songs, and everyday speech.
Catachresis exampleThe title of Leonard Cohen’s song “Dance Me to the End of Love” is an example of catachresis. Whereas “dance me to…” would logically require a physical location or destination, “…the end of love” introduces an abstract concept, creating a striking and unexpected turn of phrase.
Hyperbaton is the deliberate disruption of normal word order in a sentence, as in the phrase “This I must see.” It involves changing the customary position of words and phrases to add emphasis, create a distinct rhythm, or convey a particular tone. Hyperbaton can be found in literature, poetry, and speeches.
Hyperbaton example Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall—William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure
Bright as the sun, her eyes the gazers strike—Alexander Pope, The Rape of the Lock
Pity this busy monster, manunkind, not—e.e. cummings
An ellipsis (plural ellipses) is the deliberate omission of one or more words from a sentence because their meaning is implied by context. It is also the name of the punctuation mark (“…”) used to indicate missing words, a pause, or an unfinished thought.
Ellipsis examples Should I call you, or you me? (ellipsis of “should call” because it is readily understood)
“I was thinking about … never mind.” (ellipsis to signal hesitation)
Ellipsis is a versatile linguistic tool allowing for brevity, ambiguity, and dramatic effect. We encounter it in literature, speech, and everyday communication.
An innuendo is an indirect remark that suggests something inappropriate, critical, or sexual, while appearing innocent on the surface. For example, saying, “That’s quite an interesting outfit,” might sound neutral but subtly hints at disapproval. We encounter innuendos in everyday conversations, literature, films, and even advertisements.
Innuendo examples“He’s very … creative with his expenses, if you catch my drift.”
“Oh, I’m sure they were just ‘working late’ at the office.”
“She did her best with the presentation … considering her experience level.”
“Oh, they live in that part of town? How … interesting.”
Innuendos are often used to discuss taboo topics, critique ideas, or add humor. However, it is important to be aware that innuendos can sometimes be misinterpreted or come across as inappropriate, depending on the context and audience.
Diction is the choice and arrangement of words in a piece of writing, for example, choosing “furious” instead of “angry.” Diction can have a great impact on how the audience perceives a text, particularly its tone and mood. In speech, diction refers to how clearly we articulate our words, for example, whether we enunciate each word or mumble through a text when we read.
Diction example One of the primary functions of diction is to establish whether a text is formal or informal. When you write a business email, for instance, you choose more elevated words (“I look forward to your response”) than when you write a text message to a friend (“Let me know!”).
A platitude is a statement that is overused and often lacks originality or depth. Phrases like “Everything happens for a reason” are intended to offer comfort but are often criticized for their superficiality. Although platitudes are considered poor writing, they can be found in everyday speech, social media, inspirational writing, or self-help books.
An adage is a short memorable saying that many people believe is true. Adages typically express a common experience or observation, such as “Never judge a book by its cover.” These sayings are passed down through generations and are accepted as conventional wisdom. People often prefer to use an adage to avoid directly criticizing or confronting others.
Adage examplesMy grandmother reminded me “Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise,” when I stayed up late.
They broke up soon after they moved to different cities—it’s true what they say, “Out of sight, out of mind.”
If you are thinking of applying for that job, do it now. “Strike while the iron is hot,” as they say.
Don’t worry, you’ll get chosen for the team. Every dog has its day.
