Figurative Language & Elements of Poetry

Allegory a story, poem, or picture which can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning.

What can this picture mean? Gossip is evil. Talking about others is mean. Gossip only leads to bad things. Describe this picture.

What do you think this picture means? Beauty is only skin deep. Vanity is a root of evil. Beauty fades with age. Describe this picture.

What do you see in this picture? What is the hidden meaning? Describe this picture.

What is an allegory? An allegory is story, poem, or picture which can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning.

Alliteration The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of nearby or closely connected words. (Tongue twisters are examples of alliteration.)

Dewdrops Dancing Down Daisies By Paul Mc Cann Don't delay dawns disarming display. Dusk demands daylight. Dewdrops dwell delicately drawing dazzling delight. Dewdrops dilute daisies domain. Distinguished debutantes. Diamonds defray delivered daylights distilled daisy dance.

Mr. Winkle waits and worries as he watch the waves wash in.

What is alliteration? The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of nearby or closely connected words.

Allusion An indirect reference to a famous person or event in life or literature.

What are the allusions?

Humpty Dumpty Little Red Riding Hood What are the allusions?

What is allusion? An indirect reference to a famous person or event in life or literature.

Anaphora The repetition of the same word or group of words at the beginning of clauses, sentences, or lines.

Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking by Walt Whitman Out of the cradle endlessly rocking, Out of the mocking-bird's throat, the musical shuttle, Out of the Ninth-month midnight,

Can you think of any other examples of anaphora? Maybe from song lyrics.

What is anaphora? The repetition of the same word or group of words at the begining of clauses, sentences, or lines.

Ellipsis The omission of words from a speech or from writing, that does not change the meaning but adds to the effect of it.

ING IT!

What is ellipsis? The omission of words from a speech or from writing, that does not change the meaning but adds to the effect of it.

Hyperbole A deliberate exaggeration used for effect, not to be taken literally.

I've been here forever! I'm so tired I could sleep for years!

I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse!

What is hyperbole? The deliberate exaggeration used for effect, not to be taken literally.

Irony The expression of saying or writing one thing but meaning just the opposite.

What a perfect day for a picnic!

What is irony? The expression of saying or writing one thing but meaning just the opposite.

Metaphor A comparison in which a word or phrase is applied to something that is opposite, and without using the words like or as.

Mr. Winkle is an angel.

Mr. Winkle is my cup of tea.

Mr. Winkle is ice cool!

Mr. Winkle is a door stopper.

What is a metaphor? A comparison in which a word or phrase is applied to something that is opposite, and without using the words like or as.

Onomatopoeia The formation of a word from a sound associated with that word.

Buzz Peck Peck Peck Chirp

Blah! Bark, bark!...and I saw the doggie......knew I had to get that skirt as soon I saw the yellow...

What are some other examples of onomatopoeia? Tick Tock Whack Chug

What is onomatopoeia? The formation of a word from a sound associated with that word.

Oxymoron Expressed idea in which apparently contradictory (opposite) terms appear in conjunction (next to each other.)

Hey there, Giant! Hi, Shorty!

Jumbo Shrimp Old News P OnlyChoice

What are some other examples of oxymoron?

What is oxymoron? Expressed idea in which apparently contradictory (opposite) terms appear in conjunction (next to each other.)

Paradox A seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement that may in fact be true.

It's so cold it burns!

Paradox A seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement that may in fact be true.

Personification The condition of giving humanlike qualities or characteristics to objects.

What is personification? The condition of giving humanlike qualities or characteristics to objects.

Pun A joke exploiting the different meanings of a word or the fact that there are words of the same sound and different meaning.

knight mare pant Sir Lancelot once had a very bad dream about his horse. It was a knight mare. A dog not only has a fur coat but also pants.

knead dough I work as a baker because I knead dough. I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me. it (baseball)

What is a pun? A joke exploiting the different meanings of a word or the fact that there are words of the same sound and different meaning.

Sarcasm The use of irony to mock or make fun of a person to be mean or hurt feelings.

"Sometimes I don't know whether to laugh at you or pity you." "Did you have a nice trip?" "See you next fall?" "Is Grace your middle name?"

What is sarcasm? The use of irony to mock or make fun of a person to be mean or hurt feelings.

Satire A literary mixture, especially in poems and cartoons ridiculing particular events or people.

What is satire? A literary mixture, especially in poems and cartoons ridiculing particular events or people.

Simile A comparison in which two things are said to be like or as something.

Mr. Winkle is as light as a feather.

Mr. Winkle is as sweet as a flower.

Mr. Winkle is as cute as a baby.

What sentence is an example of simile? A. Mr. Winkle is an interesting name for a dog. B. Mr. Winkle looks like a stuffed animal. C. Mr. Winkle is a real dog.

What is simile? A comparison in which two things are said to be like or as something.