Poetic Devices

Poetic DevicesAlliteration (Sound)The repetition of the first consonant sound in a word.Sally sold seashells by the seashore.Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.Which of the images below does not fit?

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DAssonance (Sound)The repetition of vowel sounds in a series of words.The fat cat was wearing a miniature hat as he lay down on the mat.Mike rides his bike to the store for a bag of rice.Which of the images below does not fit?

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DRhyme (Sound)The repetition of ending sounds in words.What luck Chuck had that he didnt wreck his truck.Thad was a very sad lad.Which of the images below does not fit?

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Onomatopoeia (Sound)The use of words which imitate sound. Crack, pop, buzz, fizzleWhen writing, italicize onomatopoeias when you want them to represent the sound.Honk! Beep! Jan placed her hands over her ears while her mother drove through the traffic, so she wouldnt have to listen to the harsh sounds of car horns.

Simile (Figurative Language)A comparison between two objects using "like", "as", or "than. Todd was like a bull in a china shop.Amy was as quite as a mouse.Dennis is quicker than a cheetah.Can you write a simile about yourself?

Metaphor (Figurative Language)A comparison between two dissimilar objects. Usually the words is, are, or was are used.The track coach complained that Tara was a turtle and shouldnt be on the team.You are no Van Gogh, my art teacher said to me.Can you write a metaphor of your own?

Personification (Figurative Language)Giving inanimate or non-living objects human characteristics.The trees danced in the wind.The wind spoke to me and told me that rain was on the way.Write a sentence using personification.

Idiom (Figurative Language)An expression that is particular to a group of people or culture. Idioms are NOT literal.Its raining cats and dogs.Why the long face?Break a leg.If you jump the gun, youre going to get shot in the foot.Can you name another idiom?Helpful idiom site: http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/.

Hyperbole (Figurative Language)A hyperbole is an exaggeration or overstatement. It is often meant to be humorous.I caught a fish that was as big as me!He inhaled the sandwich.FYI: Yo Mama jokes are hyperboles!

Understatement (Figurative Language)Downplaying a situation.Understatement is the opposite of hyperbole.Jan reassured her mother that the gaping wound on her leg was just a scratch.OxymoronA figure of speech that combines two words with opposite meanings.Even the word oxymoron is an oxymoron: oxy is Greek for sharp and moron is Greek for dull.Jumbo shrimp, act naturally, calm storm, cold sweat, good griefCan you think of an oxymoron?http://www.oxymoronlist.com/

ImageryEliciting images in the readers mind through sensory and concrete details.The young freckled boy creeps through the freshly mown yard with his sleek, black Colt BB gun in hopes of shooting the plump blue jay sitting on the log fence.

RepetitionThe technique of repeating important lines, words, or phrases of a poem for effect.It is similar to a refrain in a song.Read We Wear the Mask to see repetition in action.

StructureLine: similar to a sentence in poetry.Stanza: a group of lines separated from other lines by breaks in the poem. Similar to a paragraph.Meter: Using a set number of syllables in each line.Poetry FunOnline Magnetic Poetry