Poetry Terms
Figurative Language: Language NOT meant to be taken literally. “Ink runs from the corners of my mouth. There is no happiness like mine. I have been eating poetry.” ~Mark Strand, "Eating Poetry," Reasons for Moving, 1968
Simile a comparison using “like” or “as”. “The referee cost us the game. He was as blind as a bat!”
Metaphor a comparison where one thing is another; no “like” or “as” The Auburn Maroon Volleyball team were tigers last night, mauling their opponents.
Hyperbole an extreme exaggeration Why does Charlie, who’s fast as a jet, take all day long to get to school?
Personification Giving a human quality, to something non-human “Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go.”
Symbol a symbol is a person, a place, an object, or an action that stands for something beyond itself
Poetry devices one can HEAR: Alliteration Onomatopoeia Refrain Repetition Rhyme Rhythm
Alliteration the repetition of a consonant sound to start a series of words Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. See Sally sell seashells by the seashore. The pleasant Prince pleaded for peace. Big bees buzz by Bob's bushes.
Onomatopoeia use of words whose sound suggest their meaning
Refrain a line repeated at the end of each stanza Old McDonald had a farm…
Repetition a word or group of words repeated throughout a poem repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition
End Rhyme Maybe, Christmas doesn’t come from a store, the repetition of similar sounds or words at the end of a line Maybe, Christmas doesn’t come from a store, Maybe, perhaps Christmas, means a little bit more!
Internal Rhyme the repetition of similar sounds or words within the line Its best, i guess, two profread carefuly for erors.
Rhythm the sound or beat of the poem
Stanza the lines of a poem grouped by one main idea
“Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance.” ~ Carl Sandburg
"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee."
"I'm so fast that last night I turned off the light switch in my hotel room, and got into bed before the room was dark.”
"I done wrestled with an alligator, I done tussled with a whale; handcuffed lightning, thrown thunder in jail; only last week, I murdered a rock, injured a stone, hospitalized a brick; I'm so mean I make medicine sick."