Poetic Elements/ Figurative Language

Poetry Review Random Disclaimer: Although these elements are often found in poems, that’s not the only type of literature where they exist. They could be in fictional stories, non-fiction, etc.

Figurative Language Words used to create a special effect or description. These words don’t mean what they first appear to mean. Figurative language makes writing interesting and unique. The opposite of figurative language is literal language, which is saying EXACTLY what you mean.

Literal or Figurative? 1. She can run fast. Literal. ↑ 2. She can run as fast as a cheetah driving a Ferrari. Figurative. ↑ Which way is more creative?

Simile Simile – a comparison of two UNLIKE things using like or as. Example: “She is as bright as a star.” What is this person trying to say about her?

Metaphor Metaphor – comparison of two UNLIKE things NOT using like or as. Example: “The teacher is a monster!” What is this person trying to say about the teacher?

Extended Metaphor Extended Metaphor- a comparison between two unlike things that continues throughout a series of sentences in a paragraph or lines in a poem. It is often comprised of more than one sentence and sometimes consists of a full paragraph. Why is it difficult to provide a quick example of this?

Hyperbole Hyperbole – an exaggeration in order to emphasize something. Example: “He is faster than lightning!” Is he really faster than lightning? What is this person trying to say about him?

Imagery Imagery-using the 5 senses (touch, see, smell, hear, taste) in order to describe something. Example: “The bright blue ocean sparkled as the hot sunshine warmed the water. The salty smell of seaweed drifted into town.” What is this person trying to show you? What senses do these words appeal to?

Symbolism Symbol- something concrete (can be touched) that represents something abstract (an idea). Example: “A heart represents love.” Which word in the example is the “concrete” part of the symbol? Which word in the example is the “abstract” part of the symbol?

Tone Tone-how the author feels, or the emotion the author is trying to portray through his/her writing. It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it! Example: “I hate this stupid computer! I want to break it into a million pieces!” What is the tone? How do you know?

Onomatopoeia Onomatopoeia- words that sound like the sounds they are describing. Example: 1. “The basketball swished through the net.” 2. “Squish. I stepped in mud!” Which words in the above examples mimic the sound they are describing?

Alliteration Alliteration- the repetition of sounds at the beginning of words that are near each other. Example: Carrie's cat clawed her couch, creating chaos. What sound is repeated?

Rhyme Rhyme- Two or more words that end with the same sound Example: 1. “Mary had a little lamb, His fleece was white as snow, And everywhere that Mary went, The lamb was sure to go.” 2. “teacher, bleacher, feature, creature, preacher” Which words rhyme in the above examples?

Personification Personification- giving human qualities to non-human things in order to better describe them. Example: “The trees danced in the wind as the sun smiled through the clouds.” Which non-human things are being personified? How do you know?

Stanza Stanza- poetry’s version of a paragraph. Authors can create them wherever they want. They can be any length or number of lines. This isn’t really a “poetic element,” but it is something you need to know in order to analyze and describe poems! Example: “I walked into the room And found my friend there. He looked really weird Because he had no hair.” How many stanzas are in this poem? How can you tell when one stanza ends and the other begins?

Theme! Poems have themes, too! What is a theme? Write your own definition (or look up the definition from last week’s notes).