Poetic DevicesPoetic Devices

The technique behind the words

The technique behind the words

Figurative LanguageFigurative Language

What is figurative language? Language using figures of speech (a way of saying one thing and meaning another)

What is figurative language? Language using figures of speech (a way of saying one thing and meaning another)

Why use figurative language? Why use figurative language?

Figurative language helps a writer show meaning and expression. If a writer does not create an image in the reader’s mind, he will lose the reader’s attention.

Figurative language helps a writer show meaning and expression. If a writer does not create an image in the reader’s mind, he will lose the reader’s attention.

SimileSimile

A figure of speech that creates a comparison between two things usually unalike. The comparison is made by using such words or phrases as like, as, than, similar to, resembles, appears, or seems.

EX: “Her eyes are like stars!” “Life is like a box of chocolate.”

A figure of speech that creates a comparison between two things usually unalike. The comparison is made by using such words or phrases as like, as, than, similar to, resembles, appears, or seems.

EX: “Her eyes are like stars!” “Life is like a box of chocolate.”

MetaphorMetaphor

A figure of speech that creates a comparison between two things usually unalike. Doesn’t use connective words such as like or as.

EX: “Her eyes are jewels!” “Life is a game.”

A figure of speech that creates a comparison between two things usually unalike. Doesn’t use connective words such as like or as.

EX: “Her eyes are jewels!” “Life is a game.”

PersonificationPersonification

is giving human traits (qualities, feelings, action, or characteristics) to non-living objects (things, colors, qualities, or ideas).

EX: “The diamonds are jealous of your beauty!”

"The wind whispered through the night."

is giving human traits (qualities, feelings, action, or characteristics) to non-living objects (things, colors, qualities, or ideas).

EX: “The diamonds are jealous of your beauty!”

"The wind whispered through the night."

StanzaStanza

A stanza is a group of lines that act like sentences. The sentences combine together to make stanzas, or paragraphs, of poetry.

A stanza is a group of lines that act like sentences. The sentences combine together to make stanzas, or paragraphs, of poetry.

RepetitionRepetition

Poets can utilize this technique to repeat sounds, vowels, consonants, words, single lines, or in fact whole stanzas. This repetition can help create images and feelings for the reader.

EX: “Quoth the Raven, ‘Nevermore.’ ”

Poets can utilize this technique to repeat sounds, vowels, consonants, words, single lines, or in fact whole stanzas. This repetition can help create images and feelings for the reader.

EX: “Quoth the Raven, ‘Nevermore.’ ”

Rhyme SchemeRhyme SchemeThe pattern established by the arrangement

of rhymes in a stanza or poem, generally described by using letters of the alphabet to denote the recurrence of rhyming lines, such as the ababbcc

I put a piece of cantaloupe aUnderneath the microscope aI saw a million strange things sleepen’ bI saw a zillion weird things creepen’ b

The pattern established by the arrangement of rhymes in a stanza or poem, generally described by using letters of the alphabet to denote the recurrence of rhyming lines, such as the ababbcc

I put a piece of cantaloupe aUnderneath the microscope aI saw a million strange things sleepen’ bI saw a zillion weird things creepen’ b

AlliterationAlliterationAlso called head rhyme or initial rhyme,

the repetition of the initial sounds (usually consonants) of stressed syllables in neighboring words or at short intervals within a line or passage, usually at word beginnings

"wild and woolly," I bear light shade for the leaves when

laid

Also called head rhyme or initial rhyme, the repetition of the initial sounds (usually consonants) of stressed syllables in neighboring words or at short intervals within a line or passage, usually at word beginnings

"wild and woolly," I bear light shade for the leaves when

laid

ASSONANCE ASSONANCE The relatively close juxtaposition of the

same or similar vowel sounds, but with different end consonants in a line or passage, thus a vowel rhyme, as in the words, date and fade

The relatively close juxtaposition of the same or similar vowel sounds, but with different end consonants in a line or passage, thus a vowel rhyme, as in the words, date and fade

ASSONANCE

One shade the more, one ray the less,    Had half impair'd the nameless grace

Which waves in every raven tress,    Or softly lightens o'er her face;

Where thoughts serenely sweet express

How pure, how dear their dwelling-place

ASSONANCE

One shade the more, one ray the less,    Had half impair'd the nameless grace

Which waves in every raven tress,    Or softly lightens o'er her face;

Where thoughts serenely sweet express

How pure, how dear their dwelling-place