Part III, Chapters 11–12: Meeting Poetry & Words: An Introduction to Poetry

Our words poem and poetry are derived from the Greek word poiein, “to create or make,” the idea being that poetry is a created artifact, a structure that develops from the human imagination and that is expressed rhythmically in words.

A narrative tells a story, and the term ballad defines the poem's shape or form, which was originally a song for dancing (related to our word ballet).

A narrative tells a story, and the term ballad defines the poem's shape or form, which was originally a song for dancing (related to our word ballet).

Specific language refers to objects or conditions that can be perceived or imagined; general language signifies broad classes of persons, objects, and phenomena.

Specific language refers to objects or conditions that can be perceived or imagined; general language signifies broad classes of persons, objects, and phenomena.

Concrete diction describes conditions or qualities that are exact and particular; abstract diction refers to qualities that are rarefied and theoretical.

Concrete diction describes conditions or qualities that are exact and particular; abstract diction refers to qualities that are rarefied and theoretical.

Concrete diction describes conditions or qualities that are exact and particular; abstract diction refers to qualities that are rarefied and theoretical.

High or formal diction exactly follows the rules of syntax, seeking accuracy of expression even if unusually elevated or complex words are brought into play.

Middle or neutral diction maintains the correct language and word order of formal diction but avoids elaborate words and elevated tone, just as it avoids idioms, colloquialisms, contractions, slang, jargon, and fads of speech.

Low or informal diction is relaxed and unselfconscious, the language of people buying groceries, gasoline, and pizza, and of people who may just be "hanging out."

The word idiom, originally meaning "making one's own," refers to words, phrases, and expressions that are common and acceptable in a particular language, even though they might, upon analysis, seem peculiar or illogical.

Although we recognize English as a common language, in practice the language is made up of many habits of speech or dialects that are characteristic of many groups, regions, and nations.

Much of the language that people use every day is slang. Usually, slang is impermanent, appearing among certain speakers and then vanishing.

Particular groups develop jargon—specialized words and expressions that are usually employed by members of specific professions or trades, such as astronauts, doctors, lawyers, computer experts, plumbers, and football players.

Syntax refers to word order and sentence structure.

A vital literary concept is decorum ("beautiful," "appropriate"); that is, words and subjects should be in perfect accord—formal words for serious subjects, an informal words for low subjects and comedy.

Some of the other means by which poets shape word order to create emphasis are an aspect of rhetoric.

Parallelism is the most easily recognized rhetorical device. A simple form of parallelism is repetition, as with the question "who made thee?" in Blake's "The Lamb."

Parallelism is the most easily recognized rhetorical device. A simple form of parallelism is repetition, as with the question "who made thee?" in Blake's "The Lamb."

The final two lines of this poem demonstrate how parallelism may embody antithesis—a contrasting situation or idea that brings out surprise, shock, or climax.

Note also that parallelism and antithesis make possible the unique abba ordering of these two lines, with the pattern "enthrall" (verb), "free" (adjective), "chaste" (adjective), "ravish" (verb). This rhetorical pattern is called antimetabole, or chiasmus, and is a common pattern of creating emphasis.

The ordinary dictionary meaning of a word—denotation—indicates conventional correspondences between words and objects or ideas.

The life of language, and the most difficult to control, is a result of connotation.