Poetic Techniques Revision Quiz: English Literature
Poetic techniques, also known as literary devices or figures of speech, are tools used by poets to enhance the beauty and impact of their poems. These techniques involve the deliberate use of language to create specific effects, convey emotions, and engage the reader's senses and imagination.
Please note this revision quiz continues the subjects covered by yesterday's revision notes on poetic techniques. You can access that via the link below:
As a recap, here are some of the most common poetic techniques and their purposes:
For example, in Shakespeare's play "Macbeth," he writes, "Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player." Life is compared to a walking shadow here, emphasising its transient and insubstantial nature.
For instance, in Langston Hughes' poem "Harlem," he asks, "What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?" The comparison of a deferred dream to a dried-up raisin emphasises the withering and loss of vitality.
For example, in Emily Dickinson's poem "Because I could not stop for Death," she personifies Death as a gentleman who kindly takes the speaker on a carriage ride, giving the abstract concept of death a tangible presence.
For example, in William Wordsworth's poem "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud," he describes a field of daffodils, using imagery to create a visual image of their beauty and evoke a sense of joy and serenity.
For example, in Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven," he writes, "And the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple curtain." In addition, the repetition of the "s" sound creates a soft and haunting effect.
For example, in T.S. Eliot's poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," he writes, "Let us go then, you and I, / When the evening is spread out against the sky." The repetition of the long "o" sound in "go," "then," "evening," and "against" creates a flowing and melancholy tone.
For example, in Robert Frost's poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," he ends each stanza with the rhyme scheme AABA. The consistent rhyme scheme helps establish a sense of order and balance in the poem.
In E.E. Cummings' poem, "Anyone lived in a pretty how town," he writes:
"anyone lived in a pretty how town
(with up so floating many bells down)"
The lack of punctuation at the end of the first line encourages the reader to continue seamlessly to the following line, maintaining the flow and fluidity of the poem.
For example, in William Blake's poem "The Lamb," the lamb represents innocence and purity while symbolising divine and spiritual qualities.
For example, in Maya Angelou's poem "Phenomenal Woman," she writes, "I'm a woman / Phenomenally. / Phenomenal woman, / That's me." The use of "phenomenal" exaggerates the speaker's confidence and self-assurance, making a powerful statement about the strength and beauty of women.
These are just a few examples of the many poetic techniques employed by poets to enhance their work. Each technique serves a specific purpose: to create vivid imagery, convey emotions, establish rhythm and musicality, or add depth and layers of meaning to the poem. By skillfully utilising these techniques, poets can engage readers on multiple levels and create a rich and immersive poetic experience.
Revision Quiz: Part 1 of 2
In the revision quiz below, we cover some of the following poems:
- My Last Duchess by Robert Browning
- Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley
- Sonnet 29 by William Shakespeare
- Mother, Any Distance by Simon Armitage
Please hover over the name of the poem to read the poem. If you are not on a mobile device, the poem should open up as a "smart tip" when you hover over the title or the poem's name. You may see a blue pulsing dot on some browsers. We have also included links to the poem as a reference/source at the bottom of the page.
To answer the questions correctly, hover over each option and click to select it. After you finish, click 'Submit' to check your score and see the correct answers and explanations. Most questions will include an explanation with the answer. Please take the time to read the explanations accompanying the answers to your questions. Doing so will give you a better overall understanding of the topic. All the best!