Poetry is a type of literature in which words are chosen and arranged to create a certain effect. It is language in its most condensed form. Poets use a variety of poetic devices such as imagery, sound devices, figurative language, and word play to express their emotions and ideas. Cindy Nichols
Imagery
The use of descriptive words or phrases to create a picture in the reader’s mind, or to remind the reader of a familiar sensation. Imagery usually appeals to one or more of the five senses – sight, sound, smell, taste, and/or touch.
Poetic Devices
Sound Devices
Alliteration Definition: the repeated use of the initial consonant sound. Examples: Same sound in a series She saw seashells by the seashore Sunday.
Onomatopoeia Definition: the use of words whose sounds suggest their meanings. Examples: buzz, crack, hoot, moo, woof, choo choo, ding dong
Rhyme Definition: the occurrence of a similar or identical sound in two or more words. The pattern created by end rhymes in a poem is called its rhyme scheme. Types: Internal: the use of rhyming words within a line End: rhyming words at the end of lines Near: when the rhyming sounds are not quite identical (sometimes called Half Rhyme)
Rhyme Examples: Hey diddle, diddle, the cat played the fiddle. The cow jumped over the moon. The little dog laughed to see such a sport. And the dish ran away with the spoon.
Rhythm Definition: the pattern or flow of sound created by the arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry. Rhythm in poetry is like the beat in music. A regular pattern of rhythm is called meter. A regular pattern of rhythm is called meter. Examples: One strong heavy sound: Maine One heavy sound followed by one light one: Tex-as
“Behind the words of good poems, There is always rhythm.” Langston Hughes
Figurative Language
Hyperbole Definition: an exaggerated statement used for effect. It is NOT meant to be taken literally. Examples: I’ll wait for you forever. I’m dying of thirst. He broke my heart.
Metaphor Definition: a direct comparison of two unlike things. Remember that while poetic comparisons need to be full of surprises, they must have something in common too. Examples: An itch is a whispering torture. A bone is a piece of the body’s puzzle. The school bus is a Twinkie.
Personification Definition: giving living/human characteristics to an animal, an object, or an idea. Examples: Wisdom stopped him. Time heals all wounds. Experience teaches a bitter lesson.
Simile Definition: a comparison of two unlike things using the words “as,” “like,” or “than”. Examples: She’s as sly as a fox. He’s as quick as a rabbit.
Word Play
Oxymoron Definition: a combination of contradictory terms. Examples: jumbo shrimp government intelligence Civil War pretty ugly true lies sophomore (wise fool)
Palindrome Definition: a word, phrase, or sentence that reads the same backward or forward. Examples: Madam, noon, redder Rise to vote, sir! A man, a plan, a canal, Panama! Go hang a salami; I’m a lasagna hog.
Pun Definition: the humorous use of a word or words that have the same sound or spelling, but have different meanings. A pun is often called a play on words. Examples: We spotted the cheetah. The blacksmith is into heavy metal.
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Conundrum Definition: a riddle whose answer involves a pun. Examples: What is the difference between a jailer and a jeweler? - One watches cells; the other sells watches What is the difference between a conductor and a teacher? - One minds trains and the other trains minds
Poets
The End