Poetry: The Sounds of Poetry
Rhyme The repetition of the sound of the stressed vowel and any sounds that follow it in words that are close together in a poem. Nails, whales Material, cereal Icicle, bicycle Tree, me Part, heart Mood, rued Sock, dock Nails, whales Material, cereal Icicle, bicycle Tree, me Part, heart Mood, rued Sock, dock
Onomatopoeia The use of a word whose sound imitates or suggests its meaning. Clang! Swish! HONK, HONK Meow POP!
The repetition of consonant sounds in several words, usually at the beginnings of the words. Alliteration Harry hurried home for a hamburger.
The repetition of similar vowel sounds, followed by different consonant sounds, especially words that are close together in a poem. Assonance The snowman was standing all alone.
The Sounds of Poetry Practice Eight Balloons Eight balloons no one was buyin’ All broke loose one afternoon. Eight balloons with strings a-flyin’, Free to do what they wanted to do. One flew up to touch the sun—POP! One thought highways might be fun—POP! One took a nap in a cactus pile—POP! One stayed to play with a careless child—POP! One tried to taste some bacon frying—POP! One fell in love with a porcupine—POP! One looked close in a crocodile’s mouth—POP! One sat around ‘til his air ran out—WOOSH! In the poem “Eight Balloons,” find one example of: 1.Rhyme 2.Alliteration 3.Assonance