Poetic Devices

Poetic Devices Poems appeal to our emotions and imagination, as well as to our sense of reason. Wow, that’s really sad. To help us feel and imagine, poets use poetic devices.

Poetic Devices To help us feel and imagine as we read a poem, poets use poetic devices, such as these: imagery symbols figures of speech

Poetic Devices Imagery We are drawn into the experience of a poem through the poet’s use of imagery, or language that appeals to our senses: taste smell sight touch hearing

Poetic Devices Imagery Read these lines from “Casey at the Bat” by Ernest Lawrence Thayer. To what senses do these images appeal? Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt; Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt. Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt; Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt. Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt; Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt. Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt; Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt. These images appeal to our senses of sight and touch. This image appeals to our senses of sight and hearing. This image appeals to our sense of sight. [End of Section]

4-leaf clover/ good luck Poetic Devices Symbols A symbol is something that has meaning in itself and also stands for something else. Here are some common symbols you will probably recognize: dove/peace 4-leaf clover/ good luck flag/country [End of Section]

Poetic Devices Figures of Speech Figures of speech are words or phrases that describe one thing in terms of another and are not meant literally. The guard stood like a flagpole. This figure of speech compares the guard’s stance to a flagpole, suggesting that he stood unmoving, tall, and straight.

Poetic Devices Figures of Speech Similes are figures of speech that compare two unlike things using words such as like, as, than, and resembles. He is as stubborn as a mule. This simile compares the man with a mule, which is often said to be a stubborn animal.

Poetic Devices Figures of Speech A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a comparison without using a connecting word. The win was the fuel the team needed. This metaphor compares the win with fuel. Like fuel, the win gives the team energy. When poets carry a metaphor over several lines, it is called an extended metaphor.

Poetic Devices Figures of Speech Personification is a special kind of metaphor in which something that is not human or not alive is described as if it had human or lifelike qualities. The flower stretched its neck toward the sun. The flower is described with a human quality: a neck that can stretch. [End of Section]