Elements of Poetry 8 th Grade Language Arts Mrs. Uglialoro

Alliteration The repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginnings of several words of a line of poetry or a sentence. The repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginnings of several words of a line of poetry or a sentence.

Example of Alliteration There will come soft rains and the smell of the ground, And swallows calling with their shimmering sound.

Allusion Direct or implied references to people, places, events, literary works, or artwork. Direct or implied references to people, places, events, literary works, or artwork.

Example of an Allusion In desperate times be brave and bold Your Cinderella story is not yet told.

Analogy A figurative description that compares two or more things that are similar in some ways, but otherwise unalike. A figurative description that compares two or more things that are similar in some ways, but otherwise unalike.

Example of an Analogy Dog is to puppy as cat is to kitten Dog is to puppy as cat is to kitten dog: puppy :: cat:kitten

Assonance Deliberate repetition of identical or similar vowel sounds. Deliberate repetition of identical or similar vowel sounds.

Example of Assonance “Poetry is old, ancient, goes back far. It is among the oldest of living things. So old it is that no man knows how and why the first poems came.”

Connotation Ideas associated with a word beyond its definition. Ideas associated with a word beyond its definition.

Example of a Connotation The actress is a diva. The actress is a diva. Connotation of diva: Power, confidence, talent, arrogance, bossiness

Consonance Repetition of consonant sounds in stressed syllables with different vowel sounds.

Example of Consonance Gulls gracefully pass across the sky. Gulls gracefully pass across the sky.

Denotation Literal definition Literal definition

Example of Denotation The actress is a diva. The actress is a diva. Connotation of diva: Power, confidence, talent, arrogance, bossiness Denotation of diva: Successful female performer

Figurative Language Made up of all the tools that a poet uses to create a special effect or feeling. It includes metaphors, similes, alliteration, personification, and onomatopoeia. Made up of all the tools that a poet uses to create a special effect or feeling. It includes metaphors, similes, alliteration, personification, and onomatopoeia.

Free Verse Poetry written without a regular rhyme scheme, meter, or form. Poetry written without a regular rhyme scheme, meter, or form.

Hyperbole A bold, deliberate overstatement or exaggeration. A bold, deliberate overstatement or exaggeration.

Example of a Hyperbole It is going to take a bazillion years to get through Medical School! It is going to take a bazillion years to get through Medical School!

Idiom A common phrase made up of words that can’t be understood by their literal, or ordinary meanings. A common phrase made up of words that can’t be understood by their literal, or ordinary meanings.

Example of an Idiom It’s raining cats and dogs! It’s raining cats and dogs!

Imagery Language that appeals to the five senses: touch, taste, smell, hearing, and sight. Language that appeals to the five senses: touch, taste, smell, hearing, and sight.

Example of Imagery

Literal Meaning Actual, everyday meaning of words Actual, everyday meaning of words

Metaphor A direct comparison between two unlike things. It does not use the words like or as. A direct comparison between two unlike things. It does not use the words like or as.

Example of a Metaphor Life is a journey. Life is a journey.

Onomatopoeia The use of words that sound like the noises they describe. The use of words that sound like the noises they describe.

Example of Onomatopoeia Zing Zing Ping Ping Poof Poof Clank Clank Thud Thud Whack Whack Pow Pow

Oxymoron A seeming contradiction in two words put together. A seeming contradiction in two words put together.

Example of Oxymoron Hot ice Hot ice

Personification Giving human characteristics or abilities, such as the ability to hear, talk, feel and make decisions, to something that is not human. Giving human characteristics or abilities, such as the ability to hear, talk, feel and make decisions, to something that is not human.

Example of Personification The stars danced playfully in the moonlight. The stars danced playfully in the moonlight.

Prose Common form of written language. It includes both fiction and nonfiction. Stories, articles, and novels are all prose. Common form of written language. It includes both fiction and nonfiction. Stories, articles, and novels are all prose.

Repetition “To repeat” something “To repeat” something

Simile A comparison between two unlike things, using the words like or as. A comparison between two unlike things, using the words like or as.

Example of a Simile The wind is like a child playing on a brisk fall day. The wind is like a child playing on a brisk fall day.

Stanza A group of lines in a poem set off by blank lines. It usually develops one idea. A group of lines in a poem set off by blank lines. It usually develops one idea.

Tone The attitude the writer takes towards the audience, the subject, or the character. The attitude the writer takes towards the audience, the subject, or the character.