Poetry is a form of literature that uses aesthetic and often rhythmic qualities of language to evoke meanings in addition to, or in place of, a prosaic ostensible meaning. It is an art form in which human language is used for its aesthetic qualities in addition to, or instead of, its notional and semantic content. Some key characteristics of poetry include:
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Aesthetic qualities: Poetry uses language in a manner that is felt by its user and audience to differ from ordinary prose. It may use condensed or compressed form to convey emotion or ideas to the readers or listeners mind or ear; it may also use devices such as assonance and repetition to achieve musical or incantatory effects.
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Imagery: Poems frequently rely for their effect on imagery, word association, and the musical qualities of the language used. The interactive layering of all these effects to generate meaning is what marks poetry.
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Meter and rhyme: Poets choose words for their meaning and acoustics, arranging them to create a tempo known as the meter. Some poems incorporate rhyme schemes, with two or more lines that end in like-sounding words.
Poetry has a long and varied history, evolving differentially across the globe. It dates back at least to prehistoric times with hunting poetry in Africa and to panegyric and elegiac court poetry of the empires of the Nile, Niger, and Volta River valleys. Today, poetry remains an important part of art and culture, and poets continue to use poetic techniques to make their poetry impactful and interesting.
