Poetic Devices

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Poetic Devices

• Mrs. Bryants English Class

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Alliteration (Sound)

• The repetition of the first consonant sound in a
  word.
• Sally sold seashells by the seashore.
• Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
• Which of the images below does not fit?

3
Assonance (Sound)

• The repetition of vowel sounds in a series of
  words.
• The fat cat was wearing a miniature hat as he lay
  down on the mat.
• Mike rides his bike to the store for a bag of
  rice.
• Which of the images below does not fit?

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Rhyme (Sound)

• The repetition of ending sounds in words.
• What luck Chuck had that he didnt wreck his
  truck.
• Thad was a very sad lad.
• Which of the images below does not fit?

5
Onomatopoeia (Sound)

• The use of words which imitate sound.
• Crack, pop, buzz, fizzle
• When writing, italicize onomatopoeias when you
  want them to represent the sound.
• Honk! Beep! Jan placed her hands over her ears
  while her mother drove through the traffic, so
  she wouldnt have to listen to the harsh sounds
  of car horns.

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Simile (Figurative Language)

• A comparison between two objects using "like",
  "as", or "than.
• Todd was like a bull in a china shop.
• Amy was as quite as a mouse.
• Dennis is quicker than a cheetah.
• Can you write a simile about yourself?

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Metaphor (Figurative Language)

• A comparison between two dissimilar objects.
  Usually the words is, are, or was are used.
• The track coach complained that Tara was a turtle
  and shouldnt be on the team.
• You are no Van Gogh, my art teacher said to me.
• Can you write a metaphor of your own?

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Personification (Figurative Language)

• Giving inanimate or non-living objects human
  characteristics.
• The trees danced in the wind.
• The wind spoke to me and told me that rain was on
  the way.
• Write a sentence using personification.

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Idiom (Figurative Language)

• An expression that is particular to a group of
  people or culture. Idioms are NOT literal.
• Its raining cats and dogs.
• Why the long face?
• Break a leg.
• If you jump the gun, youre going to get shot in
  the foot.
• Can you name another idiom?
• Helpful idiom site http//www.usingenglish.com/r
  eference/idioms/.

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Hyperbole (Figurative Language)

• A hyperbole is an exaggeration or overstatement.
  It is often meant to be humorous.
• I caught a fish that was as big as me!
• He inhaled the sandwich.
• FYI Yo Mama jokes are hyperboles!

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Understatement (Figurative Language)

• Downplaying a situation.
• Understatement is the opposite of hyperbole.
• Jan reassured her mother that the gaping wound on
  her leg was just a scratch.

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Oxymoron

• A figure of speech that combines two words with
  opposite meanings.
• Even the word oxymoron is an oxymoron oxy is
  Greek for sharp and moron is Greek for dull.
• Jumbo shrimp, act naturally, calm storm, cold
  sweat, good grief
• Can you think of an oxymoron?
• http//www.oxymoronlist.com/

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Imagery

• Eliciting images in the readers mind through
  sensory and concrete details.
• The young freckled boy creeps through the freshly
  mown yard with his sleek, black Colt BB gun in
  hopes of shooting the plump blue jay sitting on
  the log fence.

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Repetition

• The technique of repeating important lines,
  words, or phrases of a poem for effect.
• It is similar to a refrain in a song.
• Read We Wear the Mask to see repetition in
  action.

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Structure

• Line similar to a sentence in poetry.
• Stanza a group of lines separated from other
  lines by breaks in the poem. Similar to a
  paragraph.
• Meter Using a set number of syllables in each
  line.

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Poetry Fun

• Online Magnetic Poetry