Figurative Language and Poetry Terms

A List of the Terms in the Presentation Alliteration Metaphor Assonance Onomatopoeia Consonance Personification End Rhyme Repetition Hyperbole Rhyme Scheme Idiom Simile Internal Rhyme Symbolism

Language Uses literal language- precise, realistic language (The ball is yellow and black.) . figurative language- uses metaphors, similes and personification to describe things. (Her eyes are like deep pools.) sensory language- detailed language that shows how things taste, smell, feel, sound and look. (Brightly colored balloons dotted the clear blue sky.)

Simile A simile is a comparison between unlike things using like, as, or as though. Example: Life is like a box of chocolates. Example: Her hair is as smooth as silk.

Metaphor A metaphor is a comparison between essentially unlike things without a comparative word such as like or as. Example: Our friendship is a beautiful waterfall. Example: The children were roses grown in concrete gardens, beautiful and forlorn

Personification Personification is giving human traits (qualities, feelings, action, or characteristics) to non-living objects (things, colors, qualities, or ideas). The rain kissed my cheek. The last piece of pie is calling my name.

Hyperbole A hyperbole is an extreme, impossible exaggeration, not meant to be taken literally. It can often be in the form of a simile or a metaphor, because it often compares two objects. Example: His feet were as big as a barge. Example: That shop sells mile high ice cream cones.

Onomatopoeia Onomatopoeia is the use of words that imitate the sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to.

Idiom An idiom is an expression that has a figurative meaning rather than a literal meaning. Also, idioms are usually well-known sayings. It’s raining cats and dogs! You’re in hot water. He is just adding salt to the wound. None of these things are ACTUALLY happening. This isn’t really happening, right?

Alliteration Alliteration is the repetition of the initial consonant sound at the beginning of words. There should be at least two repetitions in a row. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet.

Assonance Assonance is the repetition of the vowel sounds in a sentence, a line of poetry, or prose. Daylight faded gracefully away. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Consonance Consonance is the repetition of consonants in a sentence or a line of poetry. The consonants can be anywhere in the word. This is different from alliteration, which must repeat the beginning sound. The sailor sings of ropes and things. Rap rejects my tape deck, ejects the projectile.

Repetition Repetition is the repeating of a word or phrase or an entire line of poetry to enhance mood or meaning Tap, tap, tapping on my chamber door One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

End Rhyme End rhyme is when two or more lines end in the same sound. Frog rhymes with log. Be rhymes with me.

Rhyme Scheme Rhyme scheme is the pattern of END RHYMES in a poem. The pattern is signified by letters. Roses are red Violets are blue Sugar is sweet And so are you The rhyme scheme for “The Frog” is A frog B be A log B me The rhyme scheme for “Roses” is A red B blue C sweet B you

Internal Rhyme Internal rhyme is two words IN THE SAME LINE that end in the same sound. Ex: “Hickory Dickory Dock” I am the daughter of earth and water. We were the first that ever burst.

Symbol A symbol is an object or a concrete item that represents an abstract idea. A dove can symbolize peace. Bilbo’s named sword, Sting, can represent heroism and bravery. A wedding ring represents completeness and total love. Springtime can symbolize new life and hope.

Put your knowledge to the test Read the following poem by Robert Frost “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 Discuss: What figurative language or literary devices do you notice in this poem?

Put your knowledge to the test. Copy the following chart Example Figurative Language How does it add to the mood or the meaning? It gives the idea that Eden (a garden, nature) experiences sadness whenever a season ends. Endings are natural, but still hard to experience. Personification “So Eden sank to grief” The repetition adds to the idea of life constantly changing and evolving, over and over, season after season. “Then leaf subsides to leaf” Repetition Add your own example from the poem

With a partner, complete the following chart for the poem “Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out” (page 650) Example Figurative Language How does it add to the mood or the meaning?

With a partner, complete the following chart for the poem “The Desert is My Mother” (page 578) Example Figurative Language How does it add to the mood or the meaning?