Poetry differs in visual form from prose. Poetry commonly appears as a sequence of lines arranged in stanzas rather than a sequence of sentences within paragraphs.
Poetry is ultimately characterized more by how it communicates than by what it communicates.
Poetry relies on the sound of the spoken language
poetry relies on figurative language.
Poetry can tell a story, describe an object or situation, narrate an event, or simply express feelings. Whatever the substance of the remarks and the ultimate message, poetry is characterized by linguistic elements that go beyond standard sentence structure.
Above all, poetry involves aspects of language that appeal to, and communicate by, sound and sight. It is for these reasons that we cannot really speak of restating poetry. Indeed, this is one reason many people find poetry difficult.
There’s actually an odd correlation between these ideas: Poetry is either inadequate, even immoral, in the face of human suffering, or it’s unprofitable, hence useless. Either way, poets are advised to hang our heads or fold our tents. Yet in fact, throughout the world, transfusions of poetic language can and do quite literally keep bodies and souls together.
In addition to repetition, poetry utilizes a broad range of figurative language, imagery, and symbolism—all devices requiring that the reader infer an unstated meaning.
We talk of the language in other genres of literature as being "poetic" when it draws heavily on either indirect expression of ideas through imagery, symbolism, or figurative language or it draws heavily on the sound (whether rhythm, cadence, beat, or rhyme) of words. Both of these devices are more evocative than direct in their expression, catering more to the senses than to reason and intelligence.
Poetry is ultimately characterized more by how it communicates than by what it communicates.
Poetry relies on the sound of the spoken language
poetry relies on figurative language.
Poetry can tell a story, describe an object or situation, narrate an event, or simply express feelings. Whatever the substance of the remarks and the ultimate message, poetry is characterized by linguistic elements that go beyond standard sentence structure.
Above all, poetry involves aspects of language that appeal to, and communicate by, sound and sight. It is for these reasons that we cannot really speak of restating poetry. Indeed, this is one reason many people find poetry difficult.
There’s actually an odd correlation between these ideas: Poetry is either inadequate, even immoral, in the face of human suffering, or it’s unprofitable, hence useless. Either way, poets are advised to hang our heads or fold our tents. Yet in fact, throughout the world, transfusions of poetic language can and do quite literally keep bodies and souls together.
In addition to repetition, poetry utilizes a broad range of figurative language, imagery, and symbolism—all devices requiring that the reader infer an unstated meaning.
We talk of the language in other genres of literature as being "poetic" when it draws heavily on either indirect expression of ideas through imagery, symbolism, or figurative language or it draws heavily on the sound (whether rhythm, cadence, beat, or rhyme) of words. Both of these devices are more evocative than direct in their expression, catering more to the senses than to reason and intelligence.