Poetry Literary Terms Hyperbole A figure of speech

Poetry Literary Terms

Hyperbole A figure of speech in which the truth is exaggerated for emphasis or humorous effect Example: “That guy is the hottest guy in the whole entire world!” Abby screamed.

Alliteration § The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. Example from “The Raven”: “Deep into the darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing. Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.

Onomatopoeia Formation of words that imitate or suggest what they stand for; words that imitate or mimic a sound Example: “swoosh, ” “woof, ” “slap!”

Imagery § Words that create mental images that appeal to one or more of the 5 senses: sight, sound, taste, touch, or smell § Example – Ruby red blood

Symbol A symbol is a person, a place, an object, or an activity that stands for something beyond itself. “Symbolism” is the use of symbols within a work (literature, song, film etc)

Personification § Giving human or living attributes or qualities to something that is not human or alive § Ex – The wind whistled against the house. The thunder roared in the valley.

Simile § A direct comparison between two unlike things using the words “like” or “as” Examples: § The sun is hot like fire. § “Life is like a box of chocolates…” Forrest Gump

Metaphor § A direct comparison between two unlike things Example: “It is the East and Juliet is the Sun. ” Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

Sonnet § a lyric poem of 14 lines, commonly written in iambic pentameter § A Shakespearean sonnet consists of three quatrains (four line units) and a final couplet (two line unit) § The typical rhyme scheme is: abab cdcd efef gg

Iambic Pentameter § A metrical pattern of five feet (units) each of which is made up of two syllables. The first syllable is unstressed, the second stressed. Example: “My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand”

Lyric Poetry § A short poem in which a single speaker expresses personal thoughts and feelings. Most poems other than narrative are lyric poems.