Poetic Devices

Alliteration ( Sound) The repetition of the first consonant sound in a word. –Sally sold seashells by the seashore. –Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. Which of the images below does not fit? ABCD

Simile ( Figurative Language) A comparison between two objects using "like", "as", or "than”. –Todd was like a bull in a china shop, charging through the aisles. –Amy was as quite as a mouse, creeping up behind the intruder. –Dennis is quicker than a cheetah, focused on his prize. Can you write a simile about yourself?

Metaphor ( Figurative Language) A comparison between two dissimilar objects. Usually the words “is”, “are”, or “was” are used. “ Love is honey poured over life.” Love isn’t honey, but this creates an image of sweetness added to life. Can you write a metaphor of your own?

Repetition The technique of repeating important lines, words, or phrases of a poem for effect. –I–It is similar to a refrain in a song. –R–Robert Frost's "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening": And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.

Assonance (Sound) The repetition of vowel sounds in a series of words. –The fat cat was wearing a miniature hat as he lay down on the mat. –Mike rides his bike to the store for a bag of rice. Which of the images below does not fit? ABCD

Onomatopoeia (Sound) The use of words which imitate sound. –Crack, pop, buzz, fizzle When writing, italicize onomatopoeias when you want them to represent the sound. –Honk! Beep! Jan placed her hands over her ears while her mother drove through the traffic, so she wouldn’t have to listen to the harsh sounds of car horns.

Imagery Eliciting images in the reader’s mind through sensory and concrete details.sensory concrete –The young freckled boy creeps through the freshly mown yard with his sleek, black Colt BB gun in hopes of shooting the plump blue jay sitting on the log fence.

Rhyme ( Sound) The repetition of ending sounds in words. –W–What luck Chuck had that he didn’t wreck his truck. –T–Thad was a very sad lad. Which of the images below does not fit? ABCD

Personification (Figurative Language) Giving inanimate or non-living objects human characteristics. –The trees danced in the wind. –The wind spoke to me and told me that rain was on the way. Write a sentence using personification.

Idiom (Figurative Language) An expression that is particular to a group of people or culture. Idioms are NOT literal. –I–It’s raining cats and dogs. –W–Why the long face? –B–Break a leg. –I–If you jump the gun, you’re going to get shot in the foot. Can you name another idiom? –H–Helpful idiom site:

Hyperbole (Figurative Language) A hyperbole is an exaggeration or overstatement. It is often meant to be humorous. –I caught a fish that was as big as me! –He inhaled the sandwich. FYI: “Yo Mama” jokes are hyperboles!

Structure Line: similar to a sentence in poetry. Stanza: a group of lines separated from other lines by breaks in the poem. Similar to a paragraph. Meter: Using a set number of syllables in each line.