Elements of Poetry Review

Words that create or trigger sensory images in the reader’s mind. Sensory Language Words that create or trigger sensory images in the reader’s mind.

sight, sound, smell, taste, & touch

Words not meant to be interpreted literally Figurative Language Words not meant to be interpreted literally

Metaphor Personification Simile

A comparison between two things without using “like” or “as” Metaphor A comparison between two things without using “like” or “as”

“But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.” William Shakespeare

Juliet compared to the sun

Giving human characteristics to Personification Giving human characteristics to non-human things.

Who Has Seen the Wind. Who has seen the wind. Neither I nor you Who Has Seen the Wind? Who has seen the wind? Neither I nor you. But when the leaves hang trembling, The wind is passing through. Who has seen the wind? Neither you nor I. But when the trees bow down their heads, The wind is passing by. Christina G. Rossetti

A comparison of two things using the words “like” or “as” Simile A comparison of two things using the words “like” or “as”

Your cheeks are aglow like the face of mars. Your eyes are like the brightest stars. Your cheeks are aglow like the face of mars.

add meaning and feeling to writing through the use of sound Sound Device add meaning and feeling to writing through the use of sound

Alliteration Assonance Consonance Onomatopoeia Repetition Rhyme Meter

The repetition of the same beginning consonant sound in several words. Alliteration The repetition of the same beginning consonant sound in several words.

“Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.” The repetitive “p” sound creates alliteration.

Restating a word or phrase multiple times. Repetition Restating a word or phrase multiple times.

Who Has Seen the Wind. Who has seen the wind. Neither I nor you Who Has Seen the Wind? Who has seen the wind? Neither I nor you. But when the leaves hang trembling, The wind is passing through. Who has seen the wind? Neither you nor I. But when the trees bow down their heads, The wind is passing by. Christina G. Rossetti

The repetition of vowel sounds in a word. Assonance The repetition of vowel sounds in a word.

Go low and slow below the ridge

The repetition of consonant sounds at the end of a word Consonance The repetition of consonant sounds at the end of a word

“Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray” Dylan Thomas

Words that imitate sound. (Sound like what they mean) Onomatopoeia Words that imitate sound. (Sound like what they mean)

The big dog barked with a bow, wow, wow. The cat took off with a meow, meow, meow.

The repetition of both vowel and consonant sounds in words. Rhyme The repetition of both vowel and consonant sounds in words.

Rhymes at the end of a line of poetry Words within the same line rhyme End Rhyme Rhymes at the end of a line of poetry Ex. So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay. Internal Rhyme Words within the same line rhyme Ex. Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary

Nothing Gold Can Stay Nature’s first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf’s a flower; But only so an hour, Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay. Robert Frost

Meter A way of placing emphasis on words & syllables that create a repetitive rhythm.

The way we say a poem is like this.

An overstatement or exaggeration meant to place emphasis Hyperbole An overstatement or exaggeration meant to place emphasis

She said, “If I don’t give this kiss I’ll die.”