Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A shift in a poem refers to a significant change or movement in tone, perspective, subject matter, or structure. It can occur within a single line or throughout the entire poem.
Related terms
Tone shift: A change in attitude or mood conveyed by the speaker's words.
Structural shift: A change in the organization or pattern of stanzas, rhyme scheme, or meter within a poem.
Subject matter shift: A transition from one topic to another within the content of the poem.