1. Figurative Language and Poetic Devices
Poetry

2. Simile The snow covered the earth like a blanket.
Comparison using LIKE or AS
Example:
The snow covered the earth like a blanket.

3. Metaphor The thunder was a drumbeat in the sky.
Comparison that says something is something else
Example:
The thunder was a drumbeat in the sky.

4. Personification The tree branch grasped at my hat.
Giving human qualities to something that is not human
Example:
The tree branch grasped at my hat.

5. Idiom It rained cats and dogs last night.
Group of words with a meaning that is different from the literal meaning of the individual words
Example:
It rained cats and dogs last night.

6. Analogy Argue is to quarrel as comfort is to soothe
Comparison or contrast that shows the relationship between two sets of words
Example:
Argue is to quarrel as comfort is to soothe
(argue: quarrel:: comfort: soothe)

7. My hand will fall off if I have to write any more notes!
Hyperbole
Intentional exaggeration used for effect
Example:
My hand will fall off if I have to write any more notes!

8. Sally sells seashells by the seashore.
Alliteration
The repetition of the beginning consonant sound
Example:
Sally sells seashells by the seashore.

9. POETIC DEVICES

10. Rhyme
Repeating identical or similar final word sounds within (internal rhyme) or at the ends of lines

11. Rhyme January brings the snow. makes our feet and fingers grow.
There was a little girl, who had a little curl
Right in the middle of her forehead.

12. Rhythm and Meter
Patterns of ACCENTED and unaccented syllables in lines of poetry

13. Rhythm and Meter WhenE’R the MOON and STARS are SET,
WhenE’R the WIND is HIGH

14. AABB
ABCB
ABAB
RHYME SCHEMES

15. ABCB
Line 1 (A) and 3 (C) do not rhyme; but Lines 2 and 4 (B) do rhyme

16. ABCB Mary had a little lamb (A) Its fleece was white as snow (B)
And everywhere that Mary went (C)
The lamb was sure to go. (B)

17. ABAB
Lines 1 and 3 (A) rhyme;
And
Lines 2 and 4 (B) rhyme.

18. ABAB I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils.

19. AABB
Lines 1 and 2 (A) rhyme;
And
Lines 3 and 4 (B) rhyme.

20. AABB Monday’s child is fair of face; Tuesday’s child is full of grace;
Wednesday’s child if full of woe;
Thursday’s child has far to go;

21. TEST-TAKING TIPS

22. 1
The language that a writer uses in a piece of literature is very important, especially in poetry. Watch for phrases that suggest something different from what the words say.

23. 2
Remember that sound is as important in poetry as meaning. Pay close attention to the rhythm and sounds in a poem and try to figure out what the writer is expressing with them.

24. 3
Recognizing figurative language can help you determine mood. Notice the difference in mood between the descriptions of the same setting.

25. Notice the difference in
mood between the
descriptions of the same
setting.
He entered the house.
The cobweb-covered door creaked a warning as he stepped into the house.