A short poem that expresses an idea in a clever way is called _____

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for a short poem that expresses an idea in a clever way. The key words are "short" and "clever."

Step 2: Explain the concepts

• Epigram: A brief, witty, and often satirical statement or short poem that expresses a single idea in a clever, memorable way. Example: "The child is father of the man" (Wordsworth), or Alexander Pope's "To err is human, to forgive divine."
• Limerick: A humorous five-line poem with an AABBA rhyme scheme. It is short and funny, but defined by its form and nonsense humour, not by expressing a clever idea.
• Ode: A long, dignified lyric poem of praise or celebration, addressed to a person, object, or idea (e.g., Keats's "Ode to a Nightingale"). It is not short and witty.
• Lyric: A poem expressing personal feelings and emotions, often musical in quality. It is about emotion, not cleverness.

Step 3: Apply to the question

• Short and clever, expressing one idea wittily: Epigram ✔
• Limerick: focuses on humour and a fixed five-line form ✘
• Ode: long and formal, in praise of its subject ✘
• Lyric: focuses on feeling ✘

Step 4: Answer The correct answer is A. An Epigram.

Exam tip: Link each term with one keyword:

• Epigram = wit (short and clever)
• Limerick = 5 lines, funny
• Ode = praise
• Lyric = feelings/song-like

When you see "clever" or "witty" in a literature question, think epigram.