fauxpoetic

Fauxpoetic is a term used in literary criticism to describe prose or speech that imitates the devices, cadence, and diction of poetry without actually producing verse. It denotes a stylistic approach in which heightened language, metaphor, and rhythm are employed to evoke a poetic effect, but the material remains prose in structure and intention.

Common characteristics include elevated or ornate diction, elaborate metaphor, alliteration or rhythmic phrasing, and occasional poetic-like line breaks or cadence. The effect can be earnest or theatrical, and the content may rely on familiar, sentimental, or clichéd images. Critics often view fauxpoetic prose as overreaching or pretentious when it substitutes for genuine lyric craft or clear communication.

Fauxpoetic language appears across genres and media, including novels, essays, journalism, blogs, advertising, and political rhetoric. It can serve various purposes, such as establishing a particular voice or persona, signaling seriousness, or parodying high-flown style. In satire, it may intentionally lampoon pretension by exaggerating poetic conventions.

Relation to related terms: fauxpoetic is distinct from truly poetic writing, which integrates form, imagery, and musicality as a coherent art. It is often discussed in conversation with purple prose, which emphasizes excess in diction, though fauxpoetic specifically references imitation of poetry. The term is informal and frequently employed pejoratively to critique prose that aims for lyric gravity but lacks substantive craft.

Criticism and reception: proponents view it as a recognizable rhetorical tool or playful pastiche, while skeptics see it as a weakness that erodes clarity and credibility.