Poem of praise - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Welcome to today's clue analysis! We're looking at "Poem of praise," a classic crossword clue that appears frequently in puzzles. It's a great example of a straightforward definition that tests your literary vocabulary. For seasoned solvers, this is often an instant fill, but for newcomers, it's a fantastic piece of crossword vocabulary to learn.

Clue Analysis

The clue "Poem of praise" is a direct definition. Let's break it down:

• "Poem": This tells us we are looking for a specific form of poetry or a literary term related to verse.
• "of praise": This qualifier narrows down the type of poem. We're not looking for a lament (like an elegy) or a narrative (like an epic), but one that is celebratory, laudatory, or written in tribute to its subject.

The combination of these two parts points directly to a specific poetic form known for its serious tone and celebratory nature.

Thinking Approaches

When you encounter this clue, here are a few ways to approach it:

1. Direct Association: The most direct path is to access your mental dictionary. What word means "a poem of praise"? You might think of hymn, paean, or eulogy. However, in the world of crosswords, one particular three-letter word is the most common answer for this definition.

2. Pattern Recognition: Experienced solvers will have seen this clue, or very similar variations ("Laudatory verse," "Keats creation"), many times. This recognition, combined with the likely short length of the answer, makes it a quick solve. This is a piece of what's often called "crosswordese" - common words that fit well in grids.

3. Use the Crossings: If you're not sure, don't hesitate to work on the crossing clues. For a short answer like this one, getting even a single letter from an intersecting word can be enough to trigger the correct answer in your mind.

Background Context

The answer refers to an ode, a type of lyrical stanza. Originating in Ancient Greece, odes were originally poetic pieces performed with musical accompaniment. They are typically elaborate, structured poems praising or glorifying an event, individual, or even an abstract concept.

Famous examples in English literature include:

• John Keats's "Ode on a Grecian Urn" and "Ode to a Nightingale"
• Percy Bysshe Shelley's "Ode to the West Wind"
• William Wordsworth's "Ode: Intimations of Immortality"

These works exemplify the form's elevated style and serious subject matter, making the word a perfect fit for the clue "Poem of praise."

Conclusion

"Poem of praise" is a pillar of early-week crossword puzzles. It's a fair, direct clue that rewards a basic knowledge of literary terms. Once you've learned it, you'll spot it instantly, giving you a valuable and confident start in any puzzle where it appears.

Hints

1. Hint 1: This is a form of lyrical poetry.
2. Hint 2: It's typically a formal address to a person, event, or thing.
3. Hint 3: John Keats wrote famous ones to a nightingale and a Grecian urn.
4. Hint 4: The term comes from a Greek word meaning "to sing or chant".

The answer is ODE.