1. POETIC TERMS
ENG 2D
Mrs. Bedor

2. A reference to a historical figure, place, or event.
ALLUSION
A reference to a historical figure, place, or event.

3. The Sens-Leafs game was a David and Goliath struggle.
ALLUSION
The Sens-Leafs game was a David and Goliath struggle.

4. SIMILE
A direct comparison between two basically different things. A simile is introduced by the words “like” or “as”.

5. SIMILE
You listen like a rock.

6. METAPHOR
An implied comparison between two basically different things. Is not introduced with the words “like” or “as”.

7. He is a monkey when he comes over!
METAPHOR
He is a monkey when he comes over!

8. ANALOGY
A broad comparison between two basically different things that have some points in common. Metaphors and similes are also analogies.

9. ANALOGY
The dandelion swayed in the gentle breeze like an oscillating electric fan set on medium.

10. A great exaggeration to emphasize strong feeling.
HYPERBOLE
A great exaggeration to emphasize strong feeling.

11. I have, like, a million things to do today.
HYPERBOLE
I have, like, a million things to do today.

12. PERSONIFICATION
Human characteristics are given to non-human animals, objects, or ideas.

13. The clouds were dancing in the sky.
PERSONIFICATION
The clouds were dancing in the sky.

14. APOSTROPHE
An absent person or inanimate object is directly spoken to as though they were present. The most obvious example is prayer.

15. APOSTROPHE
“Please, God, let me pass this test.”—overheard in many classrooms across the world.

16. Hints given to the reader of what is to come.
FORESHADOWING
Hints given to the reader of what is to come.

17. “The hero was doomed to suffer the destined end of his days.”
FORESHADOWING
“The hero was doomed to suffer the destined end of his days.”

18. The use of concrete details that appeal to the five senses.
IMAGERY
The use of concrete details that appeal to the five senses.

19. Cold, wet leaves floating on moss-colored water.
IMAGERY
Cold, wet leaves floating on moss-colored water.

20. IRONY
A contrast between what is said and what is meant. Also, when things turn out different than what is expected.

21. Rain on your wedding day
IRONY
Rain on your wedding day

22. The overall atmosphere or prevailing emotional feeling of a work.
MOOD
The overall atmosphere or prevailing emotional feeling of a work.

23. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
MOOD
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

24. A seemingly self-contradictory statement that still is true.
PARADOX
A seemingly self-contradictory statement that still is true.

25. A rich man is no richer than a poor man.
PARADOX
A rich man is no richer than a poor man.

26. PLOT
A series of events that present and resolve a conflict. The story being told.

27. The vantage point from which an author presents the action in a work.
POINT OF VIEW
The vantage point from which an author presents the action in a work.

28. 1st person-tale related by a character in the story. “I or me”
POINT OF VIEW
1st person-tale related by a character in the story. “I or me”
3rd person-story told by someone not participating in the plot. “he, she, they”

29. The repetition of identical sounds at the ends of lines of poetry.
END RHYME
The repetition of identical sounds at the ends of lines of poetry.

30. “He clasps the crag with crooked hands
END RHYME
“He clasps the crag with crooked hands
Close to the sun in lonely lands”
from “The Eagle”

31. The repetition of identical sounds within a line of poetry.
INTERNAL RHYME
The repetition of identical sounds within a line of poetry.

32. INTERNAL RHYME “We three shall flee across the sea to Italy.” Or
“Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour.”

33. SETTING
The time (both the time of day and period in history) and place in which the action of a literary work takes place.

34. “Tiger! Tiger! burning bright In the forests of the night”
SETTING
“Tiger! Tiger! burning bright
In the forests of the night”

35. REPETITION
The repeating of a sound, word, phrase, or more in a given literary work.

36. REPETITION “I sprang to the stirrup, and Jarvis, and he;
I galloped, Derrick galloped, we galloped all three”

37. The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginnings of words.
ALLITERATION
The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginnings of words.

38. “Swiftly, swiftly flew the ship”
ALLITERATION
“Swiftly, swiftly flew the ship”

39. ASSONANCE
The repetition of similar vowel sounds followed by different consonant.

40. “. . .that hoard, and sleep, and feed, and know not me.”
ASSONANCE
“. . .that hoard, and sleep, and feed, and know not me.”

41. CONSONANCE
The repetition of consonant sounds that are preceded by different vowel sounds.

42. “Wherever we go Silence will fall like dews”
CONSONANCE
“Wherever we go
Silence will fall like dews”

43. ONOMATOPOEIA
The use of words whose sounds suggest the sounds made by objects or activities.

44. “Blind eyes could blaze like meteors”
Other examples:
buzz, hum, kiss
ONOMATOPOEIA
“Blind eyes could blaze like meteors”

45. SYMBOL/SYMBOLISM
Something concrete, such as an object, action, character, or scene that stands for something abstract such as a concept or an idea.

46. SYMBOL/SYMBOLISM “Do not go gentle into that good night
Both phrases are symbols that
stand for death.
SYMBOL/SYMBOLISM
“Do not go gentle into that good night
Rage, Rage against the dying of the light”

47. The main idea or underlying meaning of a literary work.
THEME
The main idea or underlying meaning of a literary work.

48. “Don’t judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes”
THEME
“Don’t judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes”

49. A pair of rhymed verse lines that contain a complete thought.
HEROIC COUPLET
A pair of rhymed verse lines that contain a complete thought.

50. HEROIC COUPLET “But if the while I think on thee, dear friend,
All losses are restor’d and sorrows end.”