Poetic Devices The Sounds of Poetry Onomatopoeia Definition

Poetic Devices The Sounds of Poetry

Onomatopoeia Definition: When a word’s pronunciation imitates its sound. Purpose: Used to create a vivid effect of sound. Examples Buzz Hiss Beep Fizz Clink Vroom Woof Boom Zip

Repetition Definition: Repeating a word or words. Purpose: Used for effect. Example When you, my Dear, are away, How wearily goes the creeping day.

Rhythm Definition: When words are arranged in such a way that they make a pattern or beat. Purpose: Creates a pattern and serves as the backdrop for ideas and imagery. Example There once was a girl from Chicago Who dyed her hair pink in the bathtub I own a solace shut within my heart, A garden full of many a quaint delight Hint: hum the words instead of saying them.

Rhyme Definition: When words have the same end sound. Happens at the beginning, end, or middle of lines. Purpose: Used to create a pattern/give a poem structure and a sense of musicality. Examples Where Air Glare Fair Bear

Alliteration Definition: When the first sounds in words repeat. Purpose: Used for emphasis. Example Peter Piper picked a pickled pepper. Slim-pinioned swallows sweep and pass

Consonance Definition: When consonants repeat in the middle or end of words. Creates a near rhyme sound. Purpose: Used to enhance musical effect and to establish a mood. Examples Fixed in onyx The calm lamb A pillar of valor Fish in a mesh net

Assonance Definition: When vowel sounds repeat within words that are close together. Purpose: Used to enhance musical effect and to establish a mood. Examples • You took the blue shoes last Tuesday (long vowel sound) • Men sell the wedding bells (short vowel sound)

Practice Quiz I’ll put some lines of poetry on the board. Write down which techniques are used: A. Alliteration B. Assonance C. Rhyme D. Consonance E. Rhythm F. Onomatopoeia. Refer to the underlined portions when answering.

1 Oh! To be a wave Splintering on the sand, Drawing back, but leaving Lingeringly the land.

2 Drip--hiss--drip--hiss– fall the raindrops on the oaken log which burns, and steams, and smokes the ceiling beams. Drip--hiss--the rain never stops.

3 I passed through the gates of the city, The streets were strange and still, Through the doors of the open churches The organs were moaning shrill.

4 He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound’s the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake. The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep

5 How they clang, and clash, and roar!

6 By the sinking or the swelling in the anger of the bells

Answers 1. Rhythm, rhyme, consonance, alliteration. 2. Onomatopoeia, consonance, repetition, rhyme 3. Rhythm, rhyme, alliteration 4. Rhyme, repetition, alliteration 5. Onomatopoeia, alliteration 6. Onomatopoeia, rhyme, alliteration, consonance