Poetic Devices

Literal Language: the ordinary language of everyday speech that states facts or ideas directly

language used for descriptive effect Figurative Language: language used for descriptive effect

Imagery: Definition The collection of sensory images (smell, taste, touch, sound, sight) in a poem or another work of literature

Types of Images 1. Auditory (sound) 2. Gustatory (taste) 3. Olfactory (smell) 4. Tactile (touch) 5. Visual (sight)

“Blue waves whitened on a cliff” Imagery: Example “Blue waves whitened on a cliff” What sense is appealed to in this example?_______

Imagery: Your own example The bunny ______________________________________________________________________. What sense is appealed to in your description?_________

Alliteration: Definition The repetition of consonant sounds, most often at the beginnings of words

Alliteration: Example “Slowly, silently, now the moon / Walks the night in her silver shoon.” (from “Silver,” by Walter de la Mare)

Alliteration: Your own example Make up an alliterative statement based on your name: __________________ ___________________________________________________________________________

Hyperbole: Definition A great exaggeration for effect

“I’ve told you a million times today to clean your room!” Hyperbole: Example “I’ve told you a million times today to clean your room!”

Hyperbole: Your own example My brother or sister is a _________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Onomatopoeia: Definition A word or phrase that actually imitates or suggests the sound of what it describes

Onomatopoeia: Examples Buzz Ring Crow

Onomatopoeia: Your own examples List your own examples: _____________

Personification: Definition A figure of speech in which an animal, object, or idea is described as having human form or characteristics

Personification: Example “The rainbow danced across the sky.”

Personification: Your own example “The clock ________________________________________________________________________.”

Something that stands for something else Symbol: Definition Something that stands for something else

A lion symbolizes _____________ Two roads symbolize ______________ Symbol: Example A lion symbolizes _____________ Two roads symbolize ______________

Symbol: Your own example Come up with another common symbol and what it stands for: _____________________________________________________________________

Simile: Definition A figure of speech that directly compares two seemingly unlike things by using a word such as “like” or “as”

“His face was creased like an often-read letter.” Simile: Example “His face was creased like an often-read letter.”

Simile: Your own example His eyes darted around like ______________________________________________________________.

Metaphor: Definition A figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two seemingly unlike things (without using “like” or “as”)

He was a lion on the battlefield. Metaphor: Example He was a lion on the battlefield.

Metaphor: Your own example School is __________________________________________________________________.