a definition of formal poetry is verse that
http://www.answers.com/poetry
I think you're after definition #3 here.
Then look up "meter" and "verse" --
http://www.answers.com/topic/meter-poetry
http://www.answers.com/topic/verse
=)
Thank you for using the Jiskha Homework Help Forum. Readying your post brings one of my favorite plems to mind. It is by Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer and the title is "What is Poetry?"
¿Qué es poesía?
¿Qué es poesía? --dices mientras clavas
en mi pupila tu pupila azul.
¿Qué es poesía? ¿Y tú me lo preguntas?
Poesía... eres tú
Translation: What is poetry? --you say while your blue pupil fixes on my pupil.
What is poetry. . . it is you
A definition of formal poetry is verse that
A definition of formal poetry is verse that follows a specific structure, usually with a set meter, rhyme scheme, and/or stanza pattern. To get a more detailed definition, you can visit websites like Answers.com or other online dictionaries. One example is Answers.com's poetry section, where you can find various definitions and explanations related to poetry.
Here is a link to the definition of poetry on Answers.com:
http://www.answers.com/poetry
To understand the concept of meter and verse, you can look up these terms as well. Meter refers to the rhythmic structure of a poem, usually determined by the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables. Verse, on the other hand, refers to a line of poetry or a collection of lines that form a unit. It is often used interchangeably with the term "line" in poetry.
Here are some links to the definitions and explanations of meter and verse on Answers.com:
http://www.answers.com/topic/meter-poetry
http://www.answers.com/topic/verse
By reading these definitions and explanations, you can gain a clearer understanding of formal poetry, its structure, and the terms related to it.