The learner will write the correct definition of onomatopoeia and recognize onomatopoeia in literary works.
Onomatopoeia is the literary device that relies on words that imitate the sound that they name. They’re sound effect words or noise words. Writers choose these words as a way of conveying the sound of the things that they are describing and emphasizing something about the scene that they’re describing.
Boom Meow Crash Sizzle Crunch Buzz Zap
Can you think of any literary works you have read that demonstrate onomatopoeia? Were there any books or cartoons from your childhood that used onomatopoeia? Are you reading/watching anything currently that uses onomatopoeia? Can you make up any of your own onomatopoeia words? Why do you think poets and writers use onomatopoeia in their writing?
Look over the poem that you have on your desk by Edgar Allen Poe “The Bells.” After you have glanced over the poem, go through the first stanza and underline the words that would fit into the onomatopoeia definition. When the whole class is done with the first stanza, we will go over it together.
Hear the sledges with the bells— Silver bells! What a world of merriment their melody foretells! How they tinkle, tinkle, tinkle, In the icy air of night!
Get into a group of three or four and finish reading the rest of the poem. While reading, underline onomatopoeia that is used and discuss why you think as a group that the author used that word. What does it add to the poem? When each group is done, we will gather back together as a class and create an analysis on the words we have found.
What is the definition of onomatopoeia? What are key words to consider when looking for onomatopoeia?
For homework, you will go through two other poems, “The Highwayman” by Alfred Noyes and “Honky Tonk in Cleveland, Ohio” by Carl Sandburg. While reading, underline the onomatopoeia words. At the end of each poem, write a couple sentences as to why you think the author used onomatopoeia and how the poem was enhanced by using onomatopoeia.