Different Elements of Poetry

Meter
The basic structure of a poem is better known as meter. This poetry structures form comes in after the symbolism and theme of the poem has been finalized. This basic structure of a poem is important in every line. A piece of poetry comprises of sub units and the each unit conveys a thought successfully.
Theme
The theme of the poem talks about the central idea, the thought behind what the poet wants to convey. A theme can be anything from a description about a person or thing, a thought or even a story. In short a theme stands for whatever the poem is about.
Symbolism
A poem often conveys feelings, thoughts and ideas using symbols, this technique is known as symbolism. A symbol in poetry can stand for anything and makes the reader take a systematic approach which helps him/her look at things in a different light. A symbol is a poetry style that is usually thought of in the beginning.
Rhythm
Rhythm is important for a piece of poetry to flow freely. This element of poetry refers to the music that the statements of a poem make. To better understand this resonation of words along with the sounds and music produced it is important to read a poem out loud.
Rhyme
A poem may either have this poetry structure form or it may not. A poem that rhymes has in its structure the last words of the line matching each other in some form. For instance the last words of the first and second lines would rhyme or the first and third or the second and forth. Similar sounding words are what constitute rhyme for example cat and mat, house and mouse. This poetry style is not present in free verse prose.
Alliteration
Usually used for sound effect, this element of poetry is made up of several words in a line that begin with the same word. To understand this better we can take the example of M where the line goes "musical melody of the music minstrels."
Simile
A simile is used to add to the beauty of a piece of poetry. This is done with the use of "as" or "like" to make comparisons as to make the lines more understandable and expressive. Let us take for instance a line which goes "her laughter was like a babbling brook," here the poet compares her laughter to a brook which makes the idea clear and interesting. The simile is an optional and yet an important element of poetry
Metaphor
This term is used to describe another way of making comparisons in poetry. Using this poetry structure form the comparisons are more complex. This element may or may not be used by a poet in his poetry
Imagery
Most figures of speech cast up a picture in your mind. These pictures created or suggested by the poet are called 'images'. To participate fully in the world of poem, we must understand how the poet uses image to convey more than what is actually said or literally meant.