literary/poetic devices
Devices Poets Use For Sound
Alliteration - when the same beginning sound appears in consecutive words
For example:
Onomatopoeia - sound written in words
For example:
Repetition - the repeated use of words, phrases, or sentences
For example:
Devices Poets Use to Compare
Simile - when an author compares two things using the construction "like" or "as _____ as."
For example:
Metaphor - when an author compares two things saying that one thing IS something else.
For example:
Personification - when an non-living/inanimate object takes on human qualities.
For example:
Other Devices
Imagery - the use of descriptive language to create an image in the reader's mind. Usually the author tries to appeal to the reader's five senses (tasting, smelling, seeing, touching/feeling, hearing).
For example:
Fall
The chilly weather settles into your bones.
Those once green leaves turn
Red, yellow, orange, and brown.
CRRNCH! go the leaves,,
Beneath your feet.
The birds fly in a victory “V” formation,
To where the sun rules the skies.
The days of winter are lurking around
Waiting to be free falling.
Hyperbole - extreme exaggeration used in order to make and emphasize a point. When you exaggerate, you represent something as being larger, greater, better, or worse than it really is.
For example:
Symbolism - when an object represents an abstract idea. (Abstract means something that you can’t touch).
For example:
When trying to identify symbolism in literature, you can follow the steps below:
1. Read through the piece once to get an idea of what the text is about.
2. Name an object that seems important.
3. What does this object make you think of?
4. What do you think this object could symbolize/mean?
Rhyme Scheme - the pattern of the poem's rhyming words. It is usually indicated by letters of the alphabet, starting from the letter "a" and continuing from there until necessary.
For example:
"I Wrote Myself A Letter" by Kenn Nesbitt
I wrote myself a letter. (a)
I mailed it right away. (b)
And, sure enough, the carrier, (c)
delivered it today. (b)
I couldn't wait to get it. (d)
I nearly had to shout. (e)
I quickly tore the envelope (f)
and pulled the letter out. (e)
I anxiously unfolded it (g)
but now I must concede, (h)
I'm clueless as to what it says. (i)
I haven't learned to read. (h)
"I Wrote Myself A Letter" would be said to have the rhyme scheme of abcb.
Sometimes a poem does not have a consistent rhyme scheme. This is called free verse.
Alliteration - when the same beginning sound appears in consecutive words
For example:
- She sells seashells by the seashore.
- Silvery, slippery, seals play along the snow.
- Black, black, black and blue, beat me 'til I'm numb.
Onomatopoeia - sound written in words
For example:
- Bang! clashed the pans
- Hissing through the wind
Repetition - the repeated use of words, phrases, or sentences
For example:
- Because I do not hope/Because I do not hope
- Black, black, black, and blue
Devices Poets Use to Compare
Simile - when an author compares two things using the construction "like" or "as _____ as."
For example:
- Her eyes were as blue as the ocean.
- He felt like there were butterflies in his stomach.
Metaphor - when an author compares two things saying that one thing IS something else.
For example:
- Her eyes were sparkling stars in the night.
- The pillow was a light feather.
Personification - when an non-living/inanimate object takes on human qualities.
For example:
- The alarm screamed at me to wake up.
- The silence crept into the room.
Other Devices
Imagery - the use of descriptive language to create an image in the reader's mind. Usually the author tries to appeal to the reader's five senses (tasting, smelling, seeing, touching/feeling, hearing).
For example:
Fall
The chilly weather settles into your bones.
Those once green leaves turn
Red, yellow, orange, and brown.
CRRNCH! go the leaves,,
Beneath your feet.
The birds fly in a victory “V” formation,
To where the sun rules the skies.
The days of winter are lurking around
Waiting to be free falling.
Hyperbole - extreme exaggeration used in order to make and emphasize a point. When you exaggerate, you represent something as being larger, greater, better, or worse than it really is.
For example:
- I have a million things to do tonight!
- She's got tons of money so she doesn't have to worry about saving!
- This is the best food in entire universe!
Symbolism - when an object represents an abstract idea. (Abstract means something that you can’t touch).
For example:
- American flag --> freedom, independence, dreams
- Dove --> peace
When trying to identify symbolism in literature, you can follow the steps below:
1. Read through the piece once to get an idea of what the text is about.
2. Name an object that seems important.
3. What does this object make you think of?
4. What do you think this object could symbolize/mean?
Rhyme Scheme - the pattern of the poem's rhyming words. It is usually indicated by letters of the alphabet, starting from the letter "a" and continuing from there until necessary.
For example:
"I Wrote Myself A Letter" by Kenn Nesbitt
I wrote myself a letter. (a)
I mailed it right away. (b)
And, sure enough, the carrier, (c)
delivered it today. (b)
I couldn't wait to get it. (d)
I nearly had to shout. (e)
I quickly tore the envelope (f)
and pulled the letter out. (e)
I anxiously unfolded it (g)
but now I must concede, (h)
I'm clueless as to what it says. (i)
I haven't learned to read. (h)
"I Wrote Myself A Letter" would be said to have the rhyme scheme of abcb.
Sometimes a poem does not have a consistent rhyme scheme. This is called free verse.
