Poetry comes in many forms, each with its own structure, rules, and conventions. Here are some of the most well-known forms of poetry:
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Sonnet: A 14-line poem, typically written in iambic pentameter. There are several types:
- Shakespearean (or English) Sonnet: Consists of three quatrains followed by a couplet (rhyme scheme ABABCDCDEFEFGG).
- Petrarchan (or Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave and a sestet (rhyme scheme ABBAABBACDCDCD or CDECDE).
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Haiku: A traditional Japanese form composed of three lines with a syllable pattern of 5-7-5.
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Limerick: A humorous five-line poem with a specific rhythm (AABBA) and a distinct anapestic meter.
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Free Verse: Poetry that does not adhere to a specific rhyme scheme or meter, allowing the poet more freedom in expression.
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Villanelle: A 19-line poem with five tercets followed by a quatrain, featuring a specific rhyme scheme (ABA) and repeating lines.
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Ode: A lyrical poem that expresses emotion and is often addressed to a particular subject or object.
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Elegy: A mournful poem reflecting on loss, often in remembrance of someone who has died.
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Epic: A lengthy narrative poem that often chronicles heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation.
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Ballad: A form of narrative poetry that often tells a story and is set to music. It typically has a simple rhyme scheme.
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Acrostic: A poem in which the first letters of each line spell out a word or message when read vertically.
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Cinquain: A five-line poem with a specific syllable or word count format.
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Sestina: A 39-line poem with six stanzas of six lines each, followed by a three-line envoi, which uses a specific word pattern.
These forms can be combined or adapted to create unique poetry that fits a poet's personal style or thematic intentions.