Poetic Devices Figurative Language
Imagery The use of one or more of the five senses. Example: The doctor cut strips of the burned skin and dipped the girl’s hands in alcohol in order to see if her nerves had been damaged by the blazing hot oil that melted away her skin.
Alliteration When two or more words in a row begin with the same letter you have alliteration. The repetition of initial consonant sounds. Example: Snoopy shot a sixty-three while sweating in the sun.
Simile A comparison between two unlike things using connectives words: like, than, or as. Example: Life is like a box of chocolates.
Metaphor A comparison between two unlike things without using connective words. Metaphors are more powerful and usually use words like: is, are, or of. Metaphors can also be extended throughout a poem. Example: Life is a highway.
Onomatopoeia Words that make sounds like the things they represent. Example: Crash, boom, bang, clang, pow
Symbol something which represents something else besides itself. A heart usually represents love The color red usually means death or blood Yellow usually means happy A skull usually means death or terror
Personification Giving human qualities to something that is not human, making it sound, speak, look, or act human. Example: The limbs of the tree waved to the sun.
Hyperbole An over exaggeration. Example: I have a hundred tests today. Example: The boy jumped higher than a building.
Allusion Is a reference to a person, place, or event from history, literature, religion, mythology, politics, sport, science, or pop culture Ex. The George Cohan song “The Yankee Doodle Boy” alludes to the 18th century tune “Yankee Doodle”
Idiom A figure of speech that is not meant to be taken literally but in some sense makes a comparison Ex. Don’t let the cat out of the bag! Ex. That’s off the hook!
Tone The author’s attitude, stated or implied, toward a subject. An author’s tone can be revealed through choice of words and details. Tone may be playful, formal, intimate, angry, serious, ironic, outraged, baffled, tender, serene, depressed, pessimism, optimism, earnestness, seriousness, bitterness, humorous, silly, pleading, and joyful
Mood The climate of feeling in a literary work. The choice of setting, objects, details, images, and words all contribute towards creating a specific mood. For example, an author may create a mood of mystery around a character or setting but may treat that character or setting in an ironic, serious, or humorous tone