Poetry Figures of Speech

Figures of speech are a special language tools use by poets and other writer to make their writing more colorful. The various figured of speech can add drama, detail, and depth to poetry. Some commonly used figures of speech are: AlliterationSimile AssonanceMetaphor ConsonanceImagery OnomatopoeiaHyperbole Personification

Alliteration The repetition of beginning consonant sounds in two or more words or syllables is called alliteration: setting sun tiny tot beautifully blue Words don’t necessarily have to begin with the same letter to sound alike. Carrot and cereal both begin with “C”, but the sound is not the same. Kitty and carrot, pheasant and fish, new, knew and gnu are alliterative because even though they start with different letters they repeat the same sound.

Alliteration Shelly Sherman shivered in a sheer, short shirt Vicky Vinc viewed a very valuable vase. Yolanda Yvonne Yarger yodeled up yonder yesterday. Elmer Elwood eluded eleven elderly elephants.

Alliteration example Betty Baker bought some butter, "But," said she, "this butter's bitter. If I put it in my batter, It will make my batter bitter."

Assonance and Consonance Assonance is the repetition of a vowel sound in two or more words or syllables: Door and four feed and read can and pan Lou’s two new cows do choose to use A “Moo moo” mood to view Hugh’s ewes. In the last example, did you notice that only two words (“a” and “cow” ) do not contain the “oo” sound?

Assonance and Consonance Consonance is the repetition of a consonant sound in two or more words or syllables: When flitting flies flutter fast Toad flicks a lick as they fly past. Assonance and consonance can also be combined in a poem: Pelicans with scooping skills Dive for fish to fill their bills.

Onomatopoeia Onomatopoeia uses words that imitate the sounds they describe. Buzz, for example, sound very much like the noise a bee makes. Many animal sounds are onomatopoeias. Plonk, stomp, creak, squeak, roar, etc….

Onomatopoeia PO W! Kaza m! CRAC K! THU MP

Hyperbole Hyperbole is a way of describing something by exaggerating. A hyperbole overstates the truth to make it more colorful and forceful and to express strong feeling. Imagination plays a big part in hyperbole. The exaggeration goes beyond the natural or real and is so obvious that you know it can’t be true.

Everyone in the world likes ice cream The lion had a roar that would flatten all the trees in the jungle. I felt so low that I could crawl under the belly of the worm. Using hyperboles in a poem can have a dramatic effect: Flapping its wings fiercely An eagle conquered the sky. -Trang Ngo

Simile A poet uses similes and metaphors to describe two different things in a way that makes them seem equal or similar. A simile compares two things by using the words “as”, “like” “ as if” “seems” and “appears” My legs feel like frozen fish sticks Fresh as a daisy Pretty as a picture

Simile - example Lines in a new notebook run, even and fine, like telephone wires across a snowy landscape. With wet, black strokes the alphabet settles between them, comfortable as a flock of crows. ~Judith Thurman~

“The Book” Emily Dickinson There is no frigate like a book To take us lands away, Nor any coursers like a page Of prancing poetry. This traverse may the poorest take Without oppress of toll; How frugal is the chariot That bears a human soul!

Assignment 1) Define the following terms: Frigatetoll Coursersfrugal Traversechariot oppress 2) In two paragraphs, discuss what is being compared in this poem. 3) What else could Emily Dickinson used to compare and describe “the book”? 4) How do you think Emily Dickinson feels about books? What point is she trying to get across to the reader? “The Book” ~Emily Dickinson~ There is no frigate like a book To take us lands away, Nor any coursers like a page of prancing poetry. This traverse may the poorest take without oppress of toll; How frugal is the chariot That bears a human soul!

Assignment #2 Read the poem “Willow and Gingko” 1)Create a list of all of the comparisons made in this poem. 2)Describe, in your own words, how the author views the willow and the gingko. 3)What is the authors opinion of these two trees? 4)Chose 2 objects that can be compared/contrasted and write a simile poem of your own. You must include at least 4 comparisons.

Metaphor A metaphor compares two things by stating or implying that one thing actually is the other. The sun is a golden ball rolling around in a sky blue bowl. Robert Burns wrote: my love is like a red, red, rose.

Metaphor - example Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams For if dreams go Life is a barren field Frozen with snow. ~Langston Hughs~

Personification Personification gives human qualities, feelings, action or characteristics to inanimate (non-living) objects. When sun goes home behind the trees, and locks her shutters tight— then stars come out with silver keys to open up the night. ~Norma Farber

Personification Maple blush so red in fall ‘Cause soon they’ll have No clothes at all! The tree clawed at John with its bony fingers. The friendly eye of the streetlight watched over me until I was safe. THE SUN As the sun comes out, she glows upon us. I try to find somewhere cool, but always see her right behind me. She loves herself and when she’s bored She’ll paint the sky And cal it sunset. Before she says goodbye.

Imagery Imagery involves one or more of your five senses. An author uses a word or phrase to stimulate your memory of those senses. These memories can be positive or negative which will contribute to the mood of the poem.

Imagery Example Cheetah Run Swift as the wind, Running with grace, As his slender body Breaks the wind like an arrow in flight Pounding the earth with feet that never seem to touch the ground, Eyes looking straight, never moving A face of solid stone Yellow color and black spots blurring with each movement, Never breaking the rhythm of the run, Always running with grace.