Question

Father left home
on a navy mission
on this day
nine years ago
when I was almost one.

He was captured
on Route 1
an hour south of the city
by moped.

That’s all we know.

– “Missing in Action,”
Thanha Lai

Which elements of dramatic structure does this poem use? Check all that apply.

rhyme scheme
characterization
plot
couplets
stanzas

Answer 1

- Characterization — yes (the speaker and the father are briefly described).
- Plot — yes (a simple sequence of events: father leaves, is captured).
- Stanzas — yes (the poem is arranged in separate stanza blocks).

Not used:
- Rhyme scheme — no (no regular rhyme).
- Couplets — no (lines are not grouped as rhyming pairs).