Poetic Devices Alliteration The repetition of the first

Poetic Devices

Alliteration The repetition of the first consonant sound in a word -Sally sold seashells by the seashore -Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers -What kind of alliterations can you think of?

Assonance The repetition of vowel sounds in a series of words -The fat cat lay down on the mat. -He’s too cool for school. -Can you write a sentence with assonance containing the word home?

Rhyme The repetition of ending sounds in words. -What luck Chuck had that he didn’t wreck his truck. -Chad’s dad was mad, because Chad was bad. Can you write two lines that rhyme?

Onomatopoeia The use of words which imitate sound -Crack, pop, buzz, fizzle -When writing, italicize onomatopoeia when you want it to represent 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.

Figurative Language Uses “figures of speech”, not the literal meaning of words -Metaphors, similes, etc.

Simile A comparison between two objects using “like, ” “as, ” or “than”. -My dream played like a movie. -Amy was as quiet as a mouse. -That test was harder than a rock. -What simile can you write?

Metaphor A comparison between two dissimilar objects. Usually the words “is, ” “are, ” or “was” are used. -That test was a nightmare. -”You are no Van Gogh, ” my art teacher told me.

Personification Giving inanimate or non-living objects human characteristics. -The shoes spoke to Lisa as she walked through the department store. -The answers for the test danced on the tip of John’s pencil, but he couldn’t force them onto the page.

Idiom An expression that is particular to a group of people or culture. Not meant to be literal!!!!! -It’s raining cats and dogs. -Why the long face? -Break a leg.

Hyperbole A hyperbole is an exaggeration or overstatement. It is often meant to be humorous. -This class is lasting forever! -He inhaled his lunch. -How often do you use hyperboles in your every day speech?

Pun A pun is a play on words -I do it for the pun of it. -Math teachers have lots of problems. -A very low form of humor. -Shakespeare used the often!!

Oxymoron A figure of speech that combines two words with opposite meanings. -Even the word oxymoron is an oxymoron: oxy is Greek for “sharp” and moron is Greek for “dull”! -jumbo shrimp, act naturally, calm storm, cold sweat, good grief

Imagery Eliciting images in the reader’s mind through sensory and concrete details. -The young freckled boy creeps through the freshly mown lawn with his sleek, black, Cold BB gun in hopes of shooting the plump blue jay sitting on the log fence. -What kind of imagery have you seen in music that you listen too?

Satire A literary work in which misconduct of foolish action is attacked or made fun of Includes political cartoons http: //politicalhumor. about. com/od/politicalcartoons/ig/Political-Cartoons/Baby-New-Year. htm

Repetition The technique of repeating important lines, words, or phrases of a poem for effect. -A refrain in a song… Can’t you see that I’m the one who understands you Been here all along why can’t you see? You belong with me