POETIC TERMS 9th Grade Literature

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

The teams competed in a David and Goliath struggle. ALLUSION The teams competed in a David and Goliath struggle.

Anaphora The repetition of words or phrases at the beginning or end of two or more lines.

Anaphora I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

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

My love is like a red, red rose. SIMILE My love is like a red, red rose.

Extended Metaphor – one that goes through the entire poem. An implied comparison between two basically different things. Is not introduced with the words “like” or “as”. Extended Metaphor – one that goes through the entire poem.

His eyes were daggers that cut right through me. METAPHOR His eyes were daggers that cut right through me.

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

I will love you until all the seas go dry. HYPERBOLE I will love you until all the seas go dry.

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

My stereo walked out of my car. PERSONIFICATION My stereo walked out of my car.

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

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

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

“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.”

The author’s attitude toward the subject he/she is writing about. TONE The author’s attitude toward the subject he/she is writing about.

“Oh, I just can’t wait one second longer to open my presents.”

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

The more we learn, the less we know. PARADOX The more we learn, the less we know.

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.

“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”

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

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.”

SLANT RHYME A slant rhyme or half rhyme occurs when the vowel sounds are not quite identical.

“And on that cheek and o’er that brow” A mind at peace with all below” SLANT RHYME “And on that cheek and o’er that brow” A mind at peace with all below”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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”

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

“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”

The pattern or rhyming lines in a poem or song RHYME SCHEME The pattern or rhyming lines in a poem or song

RHYME SCHEME Alone Edgar Allen Poe As others saw; I could not bring a My passions from a common spring.                       a From the same source I have not taken                    b My sorrow; I could not awaken                               b My heart to joy at the same tone;                             c And all I loved, I loved alone.                                 c Then—in my childhood, in the dawn                      d Of a most stormy life—was drawn                          d From every depth of good and ill                            e The mystery which binds me still:                           e From the torrent, or the fountain,                            f From the red cliff of the mountain,                         f