Poetic Devices

Poetic Devices: What are they? Why are they so special?

Poetic devices fit into the category of figurative language.

They can DEFINITELY be used in more than JUST poetry.

Click on the penguin to take a peek at a video clip on your first two poetic devices. Once you finishing watching the clip, close the media player to continue the PowerPoint.

Simile

A comparison of two things; uses the words “like” or “as”.

Examples: My mind is like an open book.

He sprinted as fast as a cheetah to the finish line.

Buster barks like broken alarm clock.

Click on the book to practice similes.

Metaphor

Compares one thing to another by stating that something IS something else. Example:

White gleaming stars are diamonds in the midnight sky.The snow is a white, fluffy blanket covering the field.Sam is King Kong when he’s mad.

Click on the gorilla and complete the attached worksheet to practice metaphors.

PersonificationGiving a nonhuman thing human characteristics.

Examples: The bare branches grabbed me as I ran through the woods.

The collie seemed to smile as his owner rubbed his ears.

The popcorn jumped right out of the popping machine.

Practice personification by clicking the collie.

Onomatopoeia

Words that sound like noises

Examples:Boom! Crash! Quack!

Moo! Shhh! Crackle!

Click on the radio to read poems using onomatopoeia.

Repetition

When words, phrases, or entire lines of a poem are repeated.Usually words are repeated to help make a point or create a mood.Examples:

Repeating one word (sometimes at the end of a line)Repeating a line (usually the last line of a stanza)

Click on the moon to see more about repetition.

HyperboleUsing exaggeration to make a point.

Examples:I’m so hungry I could eat a whole chicken!

It rained buckets during the game this morning.

Megan was so mad fume rose from her head.

Click on the football for a short clip on hyperboles and similes.

Oxymoron

a phrase consisting of contradictory terms for dramatic effect

Examples:

• Wise fool; living death; deafening silence

• “Parting is such sweet sorrow”

Paradox

a statement that at first appears contradictory, but which, on closer examination, proves to claim truth

Examples:

• To save this city we have to destroy it

• “I must be cruel only to be kind”

Apostraphe

A figure of speech consisting of words addressing an inanimate object, abstract idea, or deceased individuals as though that object, idea, or person were alive.

Example

“O Death, where is thy sting?”

Allusion

The reference to a famous literary, mythical, biblical or historical figure or event.

Example:

“Chocolate was his Achilles heel.”

Consonance

the repetition of the same consonant sound within words close together.

Example:

Such weight and thick pink bulk…”

Assonance

The repetition of the same or similar vowel sound within nearby words.

Example:

“The trodden town rang its cobbles for luck.”

Synechdoche

A kind of metaphor in which a part of something represents the whole.

“Three sails just entered the harbor.”

When Queen Elizabeth dies, Prince Charles will take over the throne.

Metonymy

A type of metaphor in which something closely associated with a subject is substituted for it.

Example:

“The pen is mightier than the sword.”

Rhyme

Words or phrases that end or sound like they end the same. There can be an end rhyme (rhymes at the end of a line) or internal rhyme (words rhyme within a line)Examples:

Mop up that slop!!There goes the rabbit, Grab it!!Twinkle, twinkle little star, How I wonder what you are.Do not Hop on Pop!

Click on the plate of spaghetti, read the nursery rhyme, and write down all the rhyming word pairs on your paper.

ImageryUsing descriptive language (five senses) to help paint a picture in the reader’s mind.Using Imagery is very similar to using “Show, Don’t tell” in writing. Instead of saying, “It was Halloween” or “The sunset was pretty”, we can describe the scene using imagery.Examples:

Giggling and yelling, straw-filled scarecrows, pretty princesses, mean monsters, and other creatures paraded down the street with extended candy bags to welcoming porch lights in search of the best sweets.The girls gazed at the beautiful hues of fiery orange, lemon yellow, prom dress pink, and a splash of grape purple in the sunset over the horizon.

Click on the candy to learn more about imagery and examples from songs.

Theme

The central idea, usually implied rather than directly stated

Story/poem’s observation about life or human nature, the controlling insight.

Should not be confused with a moral (crime doesn’t pay)

Ask: What does this story reveal?

Avoid stating the theme with a single word

Let’s see them in action! Next, Let’s read some famous poems or nursery rhymes.

What examples of similes, metaphors, alliteration, hyperboles, onomatopoeia, repetition, rhyme, and imagery do you find?

Work in your groups to identify these poetic devices.

Click on the picture, print your worksheet, and complete in your groups.

References

Buzzin: Learning Made Fun. (2004). Retrieved October 9, 2006, from Buzzin: http://www.buzzin.net/english/allit.htm Defining Imagery: Prediction. Maryland Technology Academy. (2000). Retrieved October 14,2006 from http://cte.jhu.edu/techacademy/web/2000/baczkowski/imagedef.htmDiscovering Language Arts: Style, Structure, and Tone (Grades 3-5). Discovery Channel School(2005). Retrieved October 11, 2006, fromunitedstreaming: http://www.unitedstreaming.com/Discovering Language Arts: Fiction (Grades 3-5). Discovery Channel School. (2006). Retrieved October 11, 2006, fromunitedstreaming: http://www.unitedstreaming.com/ Metaphors. RHL School—Free Learning Resources. (1996-2006). Retrieved October 3, 2006 from http://www.rhlschool.com/eng3n26.htm

References Continued

Onomatopoeia Poetry. Langley Schools, BC, Canada Homepage. (2006). Retrieved October 14, 2006 from http://www.sd35.bc.ca/lm/archive/div8sampleonomatop.htmOn Top of Spaghetti. Just Playing: Nursery Rhymes and Silly Stuff. Retrieved October 14, 2006 from http://smart-central.com/spaghetti.htmPoemHunter.com Retrieved October 10, 2006 from http://www.poemhunter.com Repetition Classics. Thinkquest.org. (2006). Retrieved October 14, 2006 from http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112392/repetitionclassics.htmlShared Poetry Reading: Teaching Print Concepts, Rhyme, and Vocabulary. Read, Write, Think.org. (2006) Retrieved October 14, 2006 from http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=883